Heraklion Luxury Sailing Catamaran Dia Island | Gourmet Menu

Heraklion’s best boat day is less about getting from one place to another than about how you spend the hours between. EOS Yachts takes you from the old harbor to Dia Island on a modern catamaran, then gives you time to swim, snorkel, paddle, eat a chef-cooked lunch, and simply enjoy the sea. The meal, especially the seafood risotto with Greek kantaifi shrimp, is a real highlight.

I like the small maximum group of 22, which keeps this from feeling like a crowded party boat. I also like the crew’s personal touch. Captain Thanasis is often singled out for his warm, capable manner, and the team has surprised birthday guests with cakes without being asked.

The main consideration is the price, about $141 per person. That is more than a basic harbor cruise, and the sea can affect which water activities are possible. Still, with food, drinks, equipment, and roughly five and a half hours at sea included, the cost is easier to justify than it first appears.

Why this Dia Island cruise earns its place on your Crete itinerary

• A modern catamaran with room to spread out: The boat has shaded areas, comfortable seating, a WC, shower, and free Wi-Fi.
• A real chef onboard: Chef Charis, also written as Haris, prepares fresh Mediterranean food rather than simply laying out packaged snacks.
• Three-plus hours at Dia Island: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, SUP, canoeing, fishing, inflatables, lunch, and another swim.
• Drinks are included: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are available throughout the cruise.
• The group is capped at 22 people: This gives the trip a semi-private feel without the cost of hiring the whole boat.
• Wildlife is possible: Keep watch for dolphins and seabirds on the route, though sightings are never guaranteed.

Setting off from Heraklion’s old harbor

Your meeting point is Marina Café at Heraklion Port. An EOS Yachts crew member meets you at the entrance and walks you to the catamaran, so you are not left guessing which boat is yours. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The boat leaves at its scheduled time, and this is not the kind of outing where a late arrival is easy to fix.

The port setting gives the trip a pleasant beginning. Heraklion’s Koules Fortress, also called Rocca a Mare, guards the harbor entrance. You get a short photo stop and a look back toward one of the city’s most recognizable monuments before heading out toward open water.

The welcome is generous without being complicated. You receive coffee, local cake, and Cretan delicacies, followed by a safety briefing. The crew speaks English and Greek, and the briefing covers the basic information you need before the boat gets moving.

I appreciate this early pause. It lets you settle in, meet the crew, and understand how the day works before everyone scatters to the shaded seating, sun pads, or railings. The tone is relaxed, but the safety side is taken seriously.

Sailing one hour toward mythical Dia Island

The crossing to Dia takes about an hour. From the water, Heraklion gradually drops behind you and the Aegean opens up around the boat. The trip is described through the mythology of Dia, an island said to have been shaped by Zeus, but the appeal is easy to understand even without the legend: it is a quiet, rocky island reached only by boat, with clear water and sheltered coves.

This is a good time to choose your pace. You can sit under the shade, take photos, chat with the crew, or watch for dolphins and seabirds. The catamaran’s broad design matters here. Several people can move around without everyone competing for one narrow strip of deck.

The boat itself is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a cheaper cruise. It is new, clean, and well maintained, with enough space that the group does not have to remain in one place. The black shade structures and covered areas are especially useful in the bright Cretan sun.

A catamaran also tends to make the crossing feel more comfortable than a smaller craft, though no boat can promise perfectly calm water. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a stable central area, look toward the horizon, and consider bringing whatever motion-sickness remedy you normally use.

Three hours in a sheltered Dia Island bay

The catamaran anchors in one of Dia’s protected bays, where the water is clear and the coastline remains free of roads, hotels, and beach facilities. You will not be walking ashore as part of this experience. The island is your setting, while the boat is your base.

The swimming area is the heart of the day. EOS provides snorkeling equipment and swimming vests, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The seabed offers a chance to see small marine life, but conditions and visibility can vary. Think of this as a pleasant look beneath the surface, not a formal guided marine-life tour.

You can also use the stand-up paddleboards, canoe board equipment, fishing gear, swimming noodles, and inflatable toys. The calm bay makes it easier to move between activities, and you can return to the boat whenever you want a drink, a shower, or a rest in the shade.

The sea scooter is not part of the standard package. It must be requested in advance, and availability is handled in priority order. If that is important to you, arrange it before departure rather than assuming one will be waiting onboard.

The schedule gives you about three hours at Dia, which is enough to avoid the rushed feeling common on short boat excursions. You can swim before lunch, eat without hurrying, then return to the water afterward. If you prefer a quiet day, you can skip the equipment and spend most of the stop reading, sunbathing, and watching the color of the water change around the boat.

A gourmet lunch cooked onboard

Food is where this cruise makes its biggest case for the higher price. The main meal is prepared onboard with local ingredients and is served as a proper Mediterranean lunch, not just a plate of sandwiches. The seafood menu is the standard choice, and the seafood risotto with Greek kantaifi shrimp has become a particularly memorable dish for many people who have eaten onboard.

The menu can also include meat, vegetarian, and children’s options. You must request a change at least one day before the cruise. Do not wait until you are sitting at the table, especially if someone in your group has a firm dietary need.

The meal is supported by welcome platters of cheese and cold cuts, local snacks, seasonal fruit, and a traditional Cretan dessert. Raki is served as part of the local finish. Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included in the open bar.

Cocktails are not included in the basic price, though they can be requested separately. That distinction matters if you are comparing this with a cruise advertising an open bar. Here, the included drinks cover the practical basics and a pleasant glass of wine with lunch, but not every mixed drink you might want.

Cooking in a boat galley is no small task, and the food is one reason this experience feels closer to a floating lunch party than a standard sightseeing cruise. The menu also gives you a taste of Cretan hospitality without requiring a separate restaurant booking.

Crew service, celebrations, and the semi-private feel

The crew receives unusually strong praise for being attentive without becoming pushy. Drinks are refreshed, equipment is explained, and help is available when you need it. Captain Thanasis is described as professional, funny, skilled, and good at making people feel like part of a relaxed group.

That personal approach is useful on a semi-private cruise. You are sharing the boat with other people, but the maximum of 22 participants keeps the atmosphere more intimate than a large excursion vessel. It is a good middle ground for couples and families who want service and space without paying for a private charter.

The crew also pays attention to special occasions. Several birthday celebrations have included surprise cakes and songs, even when the birthday was not directly announced to the staff. If you are marking an occasion, include the details in your booking information. The crew may be able to add a thoughtful touch, but it is sensible not to treat a surprise as a guaranteed feature.

Families should find plenty to do, with swimming vests, inflatables, paddleboards, canoeing, and children’s meal options. Couples may prefer the shaded seating, the food, and the late cruise back toward Heraklion. A group of friends can split the day between water sports and long stretches of conversation over drinks.

The return sail and changing Aegean light

After the second swim, the catamaran heads back toward Heraklion. The return crossing takes about an hour, and the views become especially attractive later in the day. Depending on the departure time and season, you may be sailing into warm evening light or watching the sunset from the water.

The crew serves dessert and drinks before arrival, making the final part of the trip feel like a proper closing course. The harbor approach brings the fortress back into view, this time from the sea, and offers another chance for photographs.

Do not book this only for a guaranteed sunset unless your departure time clearly supports it. The activity information highlights sunset views, but the exact light depends on the season and schedule. The sailing back is still scenic even without a dramatic orange sky.

Is $141 a fair price?

At $141 per person, this is not a budget way to reach Dia Island. A basic boat trip may cost less, particularly if you care only about getting to the island and swimming for an hour.

The comparison changes once you add up what is included here:

• About 5.5 hours on the water
• A modern catamaran with shaded space
• A professional English-speaking crew
• Coffee, Cretan snacks, cheese, and cold cuts
• Chef-prepared seafood, meat, or vegetarian lunch
• Water, soft drinks, local wine, and beer
• Snorkeling equipment and swimming vests
• SUPs, canoe boards, fishing gear, and inflatables
• Seasonal fruit, dessert, and raki
• WC, shower, and Wi-Fi

For me, the value is strongest if you will actually use the equipment, eat the full meal, and spend most of the day onboard. It is weaker if you dislike boat time, do not drink, or want a simple swim with no interest in lunch and service.

The cruise has also earned a 4.9 rating from 312 reviews, with 97 percent of people giving the transport a perfect score. Those figures suggest reliable organization, but they do not remove the normal risks of a sea day. Weather can limit paddleboarding, canoeing, or swimming, as one October outing showed, even when the crew still worked hard to keep the day enjoyable.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose EOS Yachts for a couple wanting one polished day on the water, a family that values comfort and activities, or a group celebrating a birthday or special occasion. It also works well if you have only a short time in Heraklion and want to combine scenery, food, swimming, and a bit of local culture in one outing.

It is less suitable if you want to explore Dia Island on foot, since the focus is the bay and the boat rather than a shore excursion. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a wild, unscripted sailing trip. This is a managed experience with set departure times, planned food service, safety procedures, and a clear schedule.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You will also want dry clothing for the return if you spend a long time in the water. Pets are not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited.

You need to provide each participant’s full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender for Greek naval regulations. Hotel transfers are not included, but pickup can be arranged on request. Private charters are also available if you want the boat to yourself.

Should you book the EOS Yachts Dia Island cruise?

I would book it if you want a comfortable, food-focused day at sea rather than the cheapest possible island transfer. The combination of a new catamaran, a small group, excellent equipment, and a chef preparing lunch onboard gives the outing real substance.

Book early if you need a special menu or sea scooter. Arrive on time, accept that weather controls the water activities, and judge the $141 price against the full package rather than the boat ride alone.

For a memorable day from Heraklion, especially a birthday, anniversary, or final day in Crete, this is a strong choice. You get the mythic island, the open Aegean, a proper Cretan meal, and enough free time to make the day your own.

FAQ

Where does the Dia Island catamaran cruise begin?

The meeting point is at the entrance of Marina Café in Heraklion Port. An EOS Yachts crew member meets you there and guides you to the catamaran.

How long does the cruise last?

The complete experience lasts about 5.5 hours. The sailing time is about one hour each way, with roughly 3.25 hours at Dia Island.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes welcome coffee and Cretan delicacies, cheese and cold-cut platters, a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch, seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki. Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails cost extra.

Are snorkeling and paddleboarding included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, fishing gear, stand-up paddleboards, canoe board equipment, inflatables, and swimming noodles are included.

Can I request a different meal?

Yes. Seafood is the main menu, but chicken, vegetarian, and children’s options are available. You must request a menu change at least one day before departure.

Is the boat suitable for a small private group?

The standard trip is semi-private and accepts a maximum of 22 participants. Private charter options are also available by contacting EOS Yachts.