Luxury Catamaran Cruise, Dia Island –Open Bar & Lunch -Top Rated!

Dia Island is the star here, but the food and crew make this more than a simple boat ride. Eos Yachts takes you from Heraklion to a peaceful bay where you can swim, snorkel, paddle a SUP, fish, or simply stretch out on deck with a drink in hand. I especially like the fresh seafood lunch prepared onboard and the generous supply of equipment, including swimming vests and noodles.

I also like the small maximum group of 25, which should feel far more personal than a packed excursion boat. The main drawback is the price: at about $145 per person, this is not a budget way to reach Dia Island. You are paying for the catamaran, meal, open bar, water gear, and attentive crew, so it makes the most sense if you plan to use several of those extras.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours in Dia Island’s peaceful bay: You have enough time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, and relaxing rather than making a quick photo stop.
• Fresh lunch cooked onboard: Choose seafood, vegetarian spinach lasagna, or chicken lasagna, with salads and Mediterranean side dishes.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are available, along with coffee, tea, fruit, snacks, and a Cretan dessert.
• A properly equipped catamaran: Snorkeling gear, swimming vests, SUP boards, fishing equipment, canoe equipment, inflatable toys, and swimming noodles are supplied.
• Maximum of 25 people: This is a more manageable setting for a five-and-a-half-hour sailing trip.
• Heraklion meeting point: You meet at Cafe Marina on Leoforos Nearchou and return there at the end. Private transfers are available only by request.

Leaving Heraklion for Dia Island

The cruise begins at Cafe Marina on Leoforos Nearchou in Heraklion. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity finishes at the same place, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in the city or arranging your own way to the port.

The total outing lasts about five and a half hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day on the water, but not so long that a young swimmer or a non-sailor is likely to run out of patience. You should allow extra time around the stated duration for getting to the meeting point and settling in.

The boat carries no more than 25 people. That number is worth noting because the quality of a catamaran day often depends on how easily you can find a quiet corner, reach the equipment, and get a word with the crew. A smaller group also helps the lunch service and safety instructions feel less rushed.

The professional crew is qualified, certified, and English-speaking. The names of individual crew members are not provided, but the captain, chef, and assistant all play visible roles in the day. The captain handles the route and anchorage, while the onboard team prepares meals and keeps the drinks, gear, and activity areas in order.

Three hours in Dia Island’s quiet bay

Dia Island is the main reason to book this cruise. Once the catamaran reaches its peaceful bay, you have about three hours for the water activities and time on deck.

The bay is described as having turquoise water, and the setting is suited to a relaxed swim rather than a frantic shore excursion. You can use the snorkeling gear to look beneath the surface, take a swimming vest if you prefer extra support, or stay close to the boat with a noodle or inflatable toy.

The crew also provides stand-up paddleboards, fishing equipment, canoe equipment, and a canoe board. You do not need to bring a full collection of water gear from home. That is a real advantage for anyone packing light or moving between several places in Crete.

The captain selects an anchorage close to shore in the bay. That matters because it gives you the choice of staying near the catamaran or swimming toward the island’s edge. I would still treat the exact anchoring point as weather-dependent. Wind, sea conditions, and boat traffic can affect where the catamaran safely stops.

Dia is not presented as a long land excursion. The focus is the bay, the water, and the catamaran itself. If you want a walk around the island or a detailed guided visit on land, this is not the right format. If your ideal day is a swim, a paddle, a plate of fresh food, and time in the sun, the plan fits well.

What you can do in the water

You have several ways to use the three-hour stop, and that variety is one of the cruise’s strongest features.

Snorkeling is the easiest place to start. The necessary gear is supplied, so you can move from lunch to the water without arranging a rental. Visibility and marine life will depend on the day, and the supplied information does not promise a particular species or reef. Still, a quiet bay and clear-looking water make this a sensible setting for a casual swim with a mask and fins.

SUP boarding gives you a slower way to view the bay. A paddleboard lets you get away from the catamaran without committing to a long swim. You can also use the canoe equipment if you prefer sitting low on the water.

Fishing is available as a simple onboard activity. Do not book this expecting a dedicated fishing charter with specialized instruction. It is best understood as something you can try during your free time at anchor.

Swimming vests, noodles, and inflatable sea toys make the water time more flexible. Families and less confident swimmers may appreciate having several flotation options. The minimum age for alcoholic drinks is 18, but the water equipment itself is not described with age requirements, so you should follow the crew’s instructions at the boat.

A shower and separate men’s and women’s toilets are available onboard. Those facilities make a noticeable difference on a half-day cruise. You can rinse off salt water, change your pace after swimming, and avoid spending the afternoon in a wet swimsuit.

A seafood lunch with Cretan touches

Food is not an afterthought on this cruise. The main meal is prepared fresh onboard with local ingredients, and all meals are served with fresh salads.

The seafood choice combines sea garden risotto with kantaifi-wrapped tempura shrimp. The risotto brings the softer, more filling part of the meal, while the crisp shrimp provide a contrast in texture. If you like seafood but do not want a heavy taverna-style plate in the middle of a warm day, this sounds like a well-judged option.

The vegetarian choice is a spinach lasagna inspired by moussaka, with layered pasta, spinach, and béchamel. It gives non-meat eaters a proper main course instead of a plate of side dishes.

The meat option is a chicken lasagna with mushrooms, colorful bell peppers, and layered pasta. The menu is designed so that several eating preferences can be handled in one sitting. You select the main option when reserving the cruise, so make that choice carefully rather than assuming you can change it at the last minute.

Before or around the main meal, you can expect gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts, along with coffee and Cretan delicacies. Seasonal fruit and a local Cretan dessert round out the food. The combination is substantial for a five-and-a-half-hour sailing, especially when you add the snacks and drinks.

There is also a welcome coffee and tea service. That small detail helps the cruise feel organized from the first moments onboard, rather than like a boat trip where everyone waits around until the main meal.

The open bar and what it really includes

The all-inclusive bar covers water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. That is useful on a warm day when you are swimming, paddling, and sitting in the sun. You do not need to keep track of every bottle of water or soft drink, and the wine and beer are part of the advertised package.

Cocktails are not included, although they can be requested separately. That is an important distinction if you are comparing this with a luxury sailing trip that includes a full cocktail program. The package is generous, but it is not an unlimited premium bar.

Alcohol is for people aged 18 and over. You should also remember that the boat still has to return safely to Heraklion. The open bar works best as a pleasant addition to lunch and the sea time, not as the main reason to book.

Coffee, tea, fruit, Cretan sweets, cheese, cold cuts, and other snacks mean you are unlikely to need to bring a packed lunch. You may still want personal sun protection and any medication you normally carry, since those are not listed among the inclusions.

Why the $145 price may be fair

At roughly $145 per person, this is expensive compared with a basic boat trip or a simple ferry ride to a beach. The value comes from what is bundled into the half-day outing.

You are paying for a luxury catamaran, a certified English-speaking crew, three hours at Dia Island, a fresh prepared lunch, snacks, desserts, an open bar, and a large collection of water equipment. You also avoid separate rental charges for snorkeling gear, paddleboards, swimming vests, and sea toys.

The price is easier to justify if you plan to eat onboard, use the equipment, and enjoy the full time at anchor. If you only want transportation to Dia Island and a quick swim, you will probably find cheaper choices.

Private transportation from your accommodation is not included. Pickup and transfer can be requested, but you should treat that as an extra arrangement rather than part of the basic fare. Cocktails cost extra, and a sea scooter requires advance booking, with priority given in booking order.

The sea scooter is therefore not something to assume will be waiting onboard. If that feature matters to you, request it ahead of time and confirm availability.

Choosing the best time for the cruise

The supplied information gives an example of a 3:30 pm departure that included a sunset at sea. That timing can create a very different mood from a morning outing. A late sailing may suit you if you want warm afternoon light, a slower swim, and sunset views on the return.

A morning or earlier departure, if available for your date, may be better if your priority is active time in the water. You should check the exact departure schedule when booking because the available times are not fully specified here.

Sun, wind, and sea conditions will affect the day. The cruise requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a sailing activity, but it means you should avoid building an unchangeable chain of plans around this one outing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several parts of a Greek island day handled in one place. You get transport by sea, food, drinks, equipment, toilets, a shower, and a crew that manages the practical details.

It is a good match for couples, families, and small groups who prefer a polished boat day over a basic excursion. The maximum group of 25 is also appealing if you want company without the feel of a large party boat.

You should think twice if you dislike organized activities or want a completely private yacht. This is a shared cruise, not a private charter. You also may not get full value if you do not drink alcohol, do not eat the included menu, or have no interest in swimming and water sports.

The activity is suitable for most people, but the sea can be tiring. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the provided vest and follow the crew’s guidance. The presence of swimming gear does not remove the need to judge your own comfort in open water.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking. The cruise is offered in English, and the meeting point is Cafe Marina, Leoforos Nearchou, Heraklion 712 02. You return to that same meeting point after the outing.

The cruise is often reserved about 13 days ahead on average. That is a useful signal for planning, especially if you are visiting Crete during a busy summer period. I would book early if you have a fixed holiday schedule or want a particular departure time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time.

The activity needs both suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the cruise, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Eos Yachts Dia Island cruise?

Book it if you want a full-service day on the water, not merely a ride to an island. The strongest reasons are the fresh onboard lunch, the open bar, the well-stocked water equipment, the three-hour stay in Dia’s bay, and the small group limit.

I would be more cautious if $145 feels high, if you want private use of the boat, or if you prefer exploring Dia Island on foot. For the right kind of day, though, the package saves you from arranging food, drinks, rentals, and facilities separately. Choose your meal in advance, request a sea scooter early if needed, and check the departure time before paying.

FAQ

How long does the Dia Island catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes. About three hours are spent in the bay at Dia Island for swimming, snorkeling, SUP boarding, fishing, canoeing, and relaxation.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

You meet at Cafe Marina, Leoforos Nearchou, Heraklion 712 02, Greece. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What food is included?

The cruise includes a fresh seafood Mediterranean lunch, fresh salads, cheese and cold-cut platters, seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, snacks, and welcome coffee or tea. Main-course choices include seafood risotto with tempura shrimp, spinach lasagna, or chicken lasagna.

What drinks are included?

The all-inclusive bar provides water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Coffee and tea are also included. Cocktails are available only upon request and are not part of the standard package. Alcohol is available only to people aged 18 and over.

Is snorkeling and water equipment provided?

Yes. The cruise includes snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, stand-up paddleboards, fishing gear, canoe equipment, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles. A sea scooter requires advance booking and is not included in the standard package.

Can I cancel the cruise for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a new date, another experience, or a full refund.