Heraklion Luxury Sailing Catamaran Dia Island | Gourmet Menu

The best part of this 5.5-hour cruise is that it treats a boat trip as both a sea outing and a proper meal. You sail from Heraklion to Dia Island, anchor in a calm bay, and eat food prepared onboard by a chef rather than settling for a few sandwiches in a plastic box.

I like the new, spacious catamaran, with its shaded areas, clean facilities, shower, and room to spread out. I also like the careful service from Captain Thanasis and the crew, who keep the mood relaxed while still taking safety seriously. The main thing to consider is the price: at $141 per person, this costs more than a basic boat trip, and rough sea conditions can limit swimming or water activities.

Key things to know before booking

• Chef-prepared lunch: Fresh seafood is the main menu, with chicken, vegetarian, and children’s alternatives available if requested at least one day ahead.
• A comfortable 22-person maximum: This is a semi-private cruise, not a huge excursion boat, though the boat can still feel social when full.
• A full water kit: Snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, fishing gear, SUP boards, canoe boards, noodles, and inflatables are included.
• Captain Thanasis leads the crew: His friendly, steady approach has been a major part of the experience for many people.
• The return sail can be beautiful: The trip back to Heraklion may coincide with golden evening light, depending on the departure time and season.
• Sea scooters cost extra: They are available only by advance request and are not guaranteed unless booked early.

Leaving Heraklion from Marina Café

Your meeting point is the entrance to Marina Café at Heraklion Port. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat leaves on schedule, so this is not the kind of outing where arriving late earns you a friendly wait.

The crew welcomes you with coffee, cake, and Cretan delicacies before giving a short safety briefing. This opening is useful rather than fussy. You learn how the day will work, where the equipment is kept, and what to expect once the catamaran reaches Dia Island.

The port setting gives you a good start to the day. Heraklion’s Rocca a Mare Fortress, usually called Koules, sits at the harbor entrance. You get a quick photo opportunity and a view of one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks before the boat turns toward open water.

The fortress stop is brief, about five minutes, so think of it as a scenic look rather than a historic visit. If you want detailed information about Koules, visit it separately on another day. Here, the point is to begin with Heraklion behind you and the sea ahead.

The one-hour sail toward Dia Island

The crossing to Dia takes about an hour. This is where a catamaran earns its keep. You have more than one place to sit, including shaded areas, and the wide layout makes it easier to enjoy the views without feeling packed shoulder to shoulder.

The catamaran is new and well maintained, with a WC, separate men’s and women’s facilities, a shower, and free Wi-Fi. Those details matter on a half-day outing. You can rinse off after swimming, use a real onboard bathroom, and stay comfortable without treating every need as a crisis.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Captain Thanasis has been singled out for his calm, personable manner, and the staff generally take an attentive but not overbearing approach. Drinks are offered throughout the trip, and the open bar includes water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer.

You may see seabirds during the crossing, and dolphins are possible, though no wildlife sighting can be promised. Keep your phone handy, but do not spend the whole crossing staring at it. The best part of the ride is the changing view of Crete, the open Aegean, and Dia’s dry, rugged outline as it gets closer.

Dia Island and its mythic setting

Dia is a small island north of Heraklion, known for its distinctive shape and its place in Cretan mythology. Local legend connects the island with Zeus, who is said to have shaped it. You do not visit an archaeological site here, and there is no long island walk included. The appeal is the coast, the water, and the feeling of reaching a place that can only be reached by boat.

The catamaran anchors in one of Dia’s sheltered bays for roughly three hours and fifteen minutes. That gives you enough time to mix activity with long stretches of doing nothing, which is exactly what a good sea day should allow.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, with a rocky seabed and marine life visible around the cove. Bring your swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Swimming access is from the boat, so you should be comfortable using a ladder or entering the water from the catamaran.

Snorkeling gear and swimming vests are included. You can also use the SUP boards, canoe boards, fishing equipment, swimming noodles, and inflatable toys. Sea scooters are available only on request and require advance booking, with priority given in booking order.

The activity choices work well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or paddle farther from the boat, while children and less confident swimmers can stay near the catamaran with a vest or noodle. If the wind rises, the crew may limit some activities. That is a sensible safety call, but it means you should not book this expecting guaranteed access to every piece of equipment.

The onboard lunch is the main event

Food is what sets this cruise apart from a standard half-day sailing trip. The main meal is freshly prepared onboard using local ingredients, with seafood as the regular choice. Past menus have included seafood risotto, including a distinctive version with Greek kantaifi shrimp, as well as meat and vegetarian dishes.

The meal is served with wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Later, you get seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and raki. Before lunch, there are also gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts, along with the welcome snacks and pastries.

I would treat the meal as a central reason to choose this boat, not a pleasant extra. Cooking a proper dish at sea takes more planning than placing prepared food on a buffet, and the attention given to the menu is one reason the higher price can make sense.

You must notify the company at least one day before departure if you need chicken, vegetarian, or children’s food. Do not wait until you step aboard. The regular menu features seafood, so advance notice is especially important for allergies, dietary restrictions, or children who prefer a simpler meal.

Cocktails are not included, though they may be available on request. The open bar covers local white wine and beer, not every drink you might associate with a luxury yacht. That distinction is worth knowing before you book.

What luxury means here

This is not a private yacht charter at $141 per person. It is a semi-private outing with a maximum of 22 people. You share the boat, food, and swimming area with the rest of the group. Private charter options are available separately if you want full control of the schedule and company.

The luxury comes from the combination of elements: a modern catamaran, generous seating, shaded areas, attentive service, chef-prepared food, and a good selection of water equipment. It is less about formal service or polished yacht-club ceremony and more about having the comforts that make a day at sea easy.

The boat’s size also matters. Several people have found it spacious rather than crowded, even with a full group. Still, the experience will feel more social during lunch and when everyone is using the water equipment. If you want silence and complete privacy, book the private option instead.

Families can enjoy the outing, especially because the crew provides vests, noodles, and multiple water activities. Couples and small groups may prefer the shaded seating and sunset return. It also suits birthdays and other celebrations. The crew has arranged surprise cakes for special occasions when the event was noted in the booking details.

The return to Heraklion

After lunch and another chance to swim, the catamaran heads back toward Heraklion. The return crossing takes about an hour and is often the most peaceful part of the day. You can dry off, order another drink, and watch the coast change in the late light.

If your departure is timed toward evening, the return may become a sunset sail. The exact quality of the sunset depends on the season, clouds, and departure time, so it should be considered a welcome possibility rather than the sole reason to book.

The crew serves dessert and drinks before arrival. That small final course gives the day a proper ending, rather than simply dropping you back at the marina once the swimming is over.

The trip finishes at Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port. Private hotel transfers are not included, but pickup and transfer service can be arranged on request. If you are joining from a cruise ship, check your timing carefully. The cruise departs exactly as scheduled and the total duration is about five and a half hours.

Is $141 a fair price?

The price is high compared with a basic boat excursion, but the comparison needs to be fair. You are paying for transportation to Dia Island, a newer catamaran, professional crew, open-bar drinks, a full meal cooked onboard, snacks, dessert, and a wide range of equipment.

You would pay less for a simple swim stop with a packed lunch. You would also get less space, fewer included services, and probably less attention from the crew. At the other end, a private yacht charter costs more and gives you privacy that this experience does not provide.

For me, the value is strongest if you care about food and comfort as much as the island itself. If your only goal is to swim in Dia’s water, a cheaper boat may be enough. If you want a polished half-day outing where the meal is part of the occasion, the price is easier to justify.

The high rating and repeated praise for the food, boat condition, and staff reflect a clear pattern in the experience. The strongest points are the fresh cooking, the spacious catamaran, and the crew’s attention to detail. That combination is unusual enough to matter when you compare similar trips from Heraklion.

Practical details that affect your day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and any personal medication you need. The boat has a shower, but you should still expect saltwater, sun, and wind for much of the day.

You must provide each participant’s full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender during booking or at least one day before departure. This is required under Greek naval regulations.

Pets are not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited. The cruise is offered in English and Greek. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

Weather matters. One scheduled outing had fewer available activities because of conditions, although the crew continued to care for everyone well. That is a useful reminder that the sea sets part of the schedule. You should welcome a safety-based change rather than expect the crew to force a swim or paddle session in poor conditions.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this for a couple wanting a special day on the water, a family that wants swimming and food without roughing it, or a small group celebrating a birthday. It also works well for cruise passengers with enough time in Heraklion and for people who have already seen the city and want a different side of Crete.

It is less suitable if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, want a quiet private setting, or care little about the onboard meal. The crossing is not long, but you will spend about two hours sailing in total, plus several hours anchored offshore.

Book early if you want a sea scooter, need a special meal, or are planning a birthday surprise. Give the crew the relevant information before the trip, and arrive early enough to check in without rushing.

Should you book the EOS Yachts Dia Island cruise?

Yes, if you want more than a basic boat ride. The strongest reason to book is the complete package: a modern catamaran, a calm bay at Dia, swimming and paddling equipment, attentive service, and a real meal prepared onboard.

The $141 price is not a bargain in the usual sense, but it is reasonable for an all-inclusive, chef-led outing of this length. Choose it for comfort, food, and a well-run day at sea. Skip it only if you want the cheapest route to the island or need the privacy of a fully private charter.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is at the entrance of Marina Café in Heraklion Port. An EOS Yachts crew member will welcome you and guide you to the boat.

How long does the Dia Island cruise last?

The experience lasts about 5.5 hours. The crossing to Dia takes roughly one hour, the return takes about one hour, and you spend around 3.25 hours anchored near the island.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive welcome coffee and Cretan delicacies, cheese and cold-cut platters, a freshly prepared Mediterranean meal, seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki. The open bar includes water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer.

Can I request a vegetarian or non-seafood meal?

Yes. Chicken, vegetarian, and children’s menus are available, but you must request a change at least one day before departure.

What water activities are included?

Snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, fishing gear, SUP boards, canoe boards, inflatable toys, and swimming noodles are included. Sea scooters are available only by advance request and are not included in the standard package.

Is this a private boat trip?

No. It is a semi-private cruise with a maximum of 22 participants. Private charter options are also available separately.