Heraklion: Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch
This is a sailing trip rather than a motorboat cruise: 4.5 hours from Heraklion port out to Dia island, under sail where the wind allows, with a stop for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding and a full meal served on board. Dia is the uninhabited island you can see on the horizon from Heraklion, and its sheltered bays are the anchorage. SAILINGTRIPS.GR run it from €80, with a 4.84 rating across 1,491 reviews, one of the largest review bases of any tour we list.
What this cruise actually does
The half-day splits into the sail out, the anchorage and the sail back.
First is the departure from Heraklion port, where the crew take passenger details for the port authority before casting off. Second is the crossing to Dia, about seven nautical miles north of the city, spent on deck cushions with the island growing ahead. Third is the anchorage in one of Dia’s bays, where snorkelling gear, stand-up paddleboards and fishing tackle come out and lunch is served with unlimited drinks. Fourth is the return leg under sail to Heraklion.
Dia is a protected, uninhabited island. There is no development on it at all, which is why the water in its bays is as clear as it is.
Places this tour visits
The route runs north from the city into open water.
- Heraklion, departure is from the port at Heraklion, a short walk from the old town rather than a coach transfer away.
- Dia island, for a motorised alternative to the same island, compare the Dia island catamaran cruise, which suits families who want a steadier deck.
What’s included and what isn’t
The €80 covers the boat, the crew, the food, the drinks and all the water equipment.
Included:
- Sailing yacht cruise to Dia island
- Experienced sailing crew
- Full meal on board
- Unlimited still water, soft drinks and local wine
- Seasonal fruit
- Snorkelling equipment
- Stand-up paddleboards
- Fishing gear, provided by the crew
- Cushioned mattresses on deck
Not included:
- Towels
- Hotel transfers, which are an optional extra at checkout
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this one on the strength of its record. A 4.84 average across 1,491 reviews is a large enough sample that it stops being an opinion and starts being a measurement, most tours on this site are rated by a few dozen people. Guide quality and transportation both score 4.9 out of 5.
The crew is the reason. Reviewers name Captain Dionysis and his co-captain Vangelis repeatedly and unprompted. A British guest who sailed on a windy, choppy day praised the captain specifically for keeping the passage smooth and for briefing everyone properly before departure, which is the thing you actually want to read about a sailing trip.
Sailing is also genuinely different from a motor cruise. A Canadian visitor described it as peaceful even on a windier day, and jumping off a sailboat into open water is not the same experience as stepping off a catamaran platform. If you want the sea rather than a floating sunbed, this is the right boat.
Two honest points.
The booking options confuse people, and this is the one consistent criticism. GetYourGuide’s own summary of verified reviews says travellers want clearer detail on what is included, particularly lunch and drink options by tour length. The listing carries three different products: the shared half-day trip to Dia with lunch, private trips where meals are an optional extra, and a 1-hour coastal sail that does not reach Dia and includes no lunch, no snorkelling, no paddleboards and no fishing. Book the wrong one and you get a very different afternoon.
Value for money is the weakest score at 4.7 out of 5. €80 is real money for half a day, and while the meal and unlimited drinks account for much of it, it is the dimension reviewers rate lowest.
If you want the same island with a steadier deck and a family focus, the catamaran option covers the same water.
CreteLocals insider tips
Check which option you booked, send passport details early, and bring your own towel.
- Confirm you have booked the shared half-day trip to Dia, not the 1-hour coastal sail, which skips the island, the lunch and every water activity.
- Send each passenger’s passport or ID number, full name, date of birth and country of issue when you book, since Greek port authority rules require them and a driving licence is not accepted.
- Pack a towel, which is the one thing on board that is not provided.
- Bring a jacket for the return leg, as the deck gets cold under sail once the sun drops.
- Ask the crew for the paddleboards and snorkelling gear at the anchorage rather than waiting to be offered them.
- Book the hotel transfer at checkout if you are staying outside the city, because it is priced per person and cannot be added later as easily.
What to know before you go
The meeting point is Epimenidou 19 at Heraklion port. All passengers must supply passport or ID details in advance for departure authorisation; these go only to the local port authority.
Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a jacket. The minimum age on shared cruises is 4; infants are welcome on private trips. Flag any dietary requirement in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Dia island sailing trip?
The shared cruise runs 4 hours 30 minutes from Heraklion port, including the sail out, the swimming stop and the return.
Is lunch included?
A full meal and unlimited drinks are included on the shared half-day trip; on private trips the meal is an optional add-on chosen at checkout.
Does every option go to Dia island?
No, the 1-hour coastal tour stays along the Heraklion shore and includes no lunch, snorkelling, paddleboards or fishing.
What do you need to bring?
Your passport or ID card is required by the port authority, plus a towel, which is the only item not supplied on board.
Is Dia island inhabited?
Dia is uninhabited and protected, with no development on it, which is why its bays stay so clear.
Is there a minimum age?
Shared cruises take children from age 4; infants are welcome on private charters.
Check dates and prices for the Dia island sailing trip from Heraklion.
Location
Sailboat Cruise to Dia Island with Drinks & Lunch is located at Heraklion Port. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
