Heraklion Luxury Sailing Catamaran Dia Island | Gourmet Menu

Dia Island is the star here, but the chef-prepared lunch and unusually attentive crew make this more than a standard boat trip. You sail from Heraklion, anchor in a quiet bay, and spend hours swimming, snorkeling, paddling, eating, and relaxing aboard a sleek catamaran.

I especially like the space, the shaded areas, and the useful mix of water gear. I also like that the crew serves a proper Mediterranean meal rather than a basic buffet. The main consideration is price: at $141 per person, this costs more than a simple group boat ride, and rough conditions can limit the water activities.

Key points to know before booking

• Chef Charis prepares the main meal onboard, with seafood, meat, vegetarian, and children’s choices available if requested ahead of time.
• The 5.5-hour cruise includes about three hours at Dia Island, giving you real time for swimming and paddling rather than a quick photo stop.
• Captain Thanasis and the certified crew are known for warm service, clear safety guidance, and close attention to guests.
• The catamaran carries up to 22 people, so this is semi-private, not a completely private charter.
• Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included, while cocktails and sea scooters cost extra.
• Dia Island is reached by boat only, and the calm bay provides the best setting for snorkeling, SUP, canoeing, and a long lunch.

Setting sail from Heraklion with EOS Yachts

Your day starts at Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port. Arrive at least 15 minutes early, since the boat leaves at its scheduled time. A member of the EOS Yachts crew meets you at the café entrance and leads you to the catamaran for check-in.

The opening is relaxed rather than rushed. You receive coffee and Cretan treats, along with a welcome drink, before a short safety briefing. Local snacks, cake, and small delicacies set the tone for the day, and the crew uses the briefing to explain how the boat and water equipment work.

You then pass the Rocca a Mare Fortress, also called Koules Fortress, at the entrance to Heraklion’s old harbor. This is a brief photo stop, not a full fortress visit. Still, seeing the massive Venetian structure from the water gives you a fine opening image and a useful sense of Heraklion’s historic waterfront.

The catamaran then points toward Dia Island. The crossing takes roughly an hour each way. That travel time matters: you get open views across the Aegean, but the trip is not simply a stationary afternoon at anchor. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever personal remedy you normally use and choose a sheltered seat when possible.

What makes the catamaran feel luxurious

The boat is new, clean, and spacious, with room to sit in sun or shade. Several people specifically appreciated the generous layout and the fact that the vessel did not feel crowded. With a maximum of 22 participants, it is a small enough group for personal service, though you should not expect the privacy of a chartered yacht.

There is a toilet for men and women, a shower, and free Wi-Fi. Those details are easy to overlook when booking, but they make a half-day on the water much easier, especially for families or anyone who wants to rinse off salt after swimming.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Captain Thanasis is repeatedly singled out for his calm, friendly manner and capable handling of the boat. The English-speaking team keeps drinks topped up, helps with equipment, and pays attention without hovering. That balance is important on a boat trip: you get help when you need it, but plenty of time to sit quietly and watch the sea.

The safety culture also comes through clearly. The crew explains the basics before departure, provides swimming vests and quality snorkeling equipment, and keeps an eye on conditions. One important caveat is that weather can change the plan. On one afternoon, rough conditions reduced the available activities, although the crew still kept the day pleasant.

Arriving at Dia Island’s quiet bay

Dia Island lies north of Heraklion and is linked to Greek myth as a place shaped by Zeus. You do not come here for a developed resort or a long island walk. The appeal is the open coastline, clear water, and feeling of reaching a place accessible mainly by boat.

EOS Yachts anchors in one of Dia’s sheltered bays for around three hours. The exact water conditions affect how much you can do, but the schedule gives you enough time to settle in rather than hurry from one activity to the next.

The bay is the practical center of the day. You can swim from the catamaran, use the swimming noodles and inflatables, or put on the provided mask and snorkel gear. The seabed has fish and small marine life, though this is recreational snorkeling, not a specialist wildlife excursion. The water and light are the main attraction.

You can also use the stand-up paddleboards and canoe boards. Fishing equipment is included, and sea scooters may be available if booked in advance, subject to priority order. Cocktails are not part of the standard package either, so budget extra if you want those rather than the included wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.

Dolphins and seabirds may appear during the crossing. They are possible sightings, not a promise, so enjoy them as a bonus rather than a reason to book the cruise. The broad Aegean views are dependable enough, and the return around sunset can be especially attractive when the sky cooperates.

A serious meal on a moving boat

Food is where this cruise earns much of its higher price. Chef Charis prepares the main meal onboard using local ingredients, and the seafood menu is the standard choice. The seafood risotto, including a version with Greek kantaifi shrimp, receives particular praise, and the meal is served as proper prepared food rather than an afterthought.

The menu also includes gourmet platters with cheeses and cold cuts, followed by seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki. A few meals described in the available feedback included meat risotto, a chicken lasagna-style dish, and moussaka-style preparations. These examples show that the alternative menus are more than a token replacement, but you must request seafood-free, vegetarian, chicken, or children’s meals at least one day ahead.

Food on a boat has practical limits. The galley is compact, and the boat moves, yet the kitchen team still prepares individual dishes and serves them at the table. That is a noticeable step above the usual sandwich, salad, or reheated pasta found on many day cruises.

Drinks are included throughout the outing. You get local white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. This makes the $141 cost easier to justify, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch and several drinks. Cocktails cost extra, and the sea scooter also requires advance booking.

The return sail and the best light of the day

After lunch, you have more time in the water or on deck. This second swim is useful because it lets you enjoy the bay without feeling that lunch ended the active part of the day. You can also simply dry off, take photos, and watch the coastline from the catamaran.

The return crossing takes about an hour. Many people consider this the prettiest part of the outing, especially when the boat returns in the softer light of late afternoon. The crew serves local dessert and drinks before arrival, which gives the final stretch a pleasant finish rather than ending the experience as soon as the anchor comes up.

The boat returns to Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port. There is no long land transfer built into the standard package. Private pickup and transportation can be arranged on request, but they are not included in the $141 price.

Is $141 good value?

For a basic boat ride, no. You can find cheaper outings that take you to the same general part of the coast. Those trips may suit you if your priority is simply reaching the water for a swim.

For a modern catamaran with a maximum of 22 people, a chef-prepared lunch, open bar, quality water equipment, professional crew, and more than three hours at Dia, the price is reasonable. I would compare it with the cost of a restaurant meal, drinks, a separate snorkeling rental, and a smaller boat setting. The package becomes better value if you plan to use the SUPs, canoe boards, snorkeling gear, and included drinks.

The price is also easier to defend for a birthday, anniversary, family celebration, or special final day in Crete. EOS Yachts has arranged birthday cakes and personal surprises when the occasion was known from the booking details. If you are seeking the cheapest way to see Dia Island, this is not the right product. If you want comfort and food to matter as much as the destination, it makes more sense.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, small groups of friends, and anyone who wants a polished day on the sea without chartering a private yacht. Children can use the water equipment and children’s menus are available, but you should still consider how comfortable your own children are with a long boat day and open-water swimming.

It also suits people who care about food. The onboard chef is not a minor extra. The meal is one of the clearest differences between this experience and a standard excursion.

You should think twice if you dislike group activities, need complete control over the route, or want a land-based visit to Dia Island. The boat is semi-private, not private, and the schedule follows the group. Sea conditions can also affect swimming, snorkeling, and paddling.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and any personal seasickness aid you need. Smoking indoors and pets are not allowed. Greek naval rules require each participant’s full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender during booking or at least one day before departure.

My verdict on the EOS Yachts Dia Island cruise

I would book this if I wanted a comfortable, food-focused day on the water from Heraklion. The best features work together: a modern catamaran, a calm bay at Dia, generous swimming time, capable equipment, and a crew led by Captain Thanasis that treats service as part of the experience rather than a formality.

The main weakness is the cost, along with the simple fact that weather can limit the water activities. Still, the included lunch, drinks, equipment, facilities, and small group make the price fair for a luxury outing. Book it for the boat, the meal, and the easy pace, not just for a quick look at Dia Island.

FAQ

How long is the EOS Yachts Dia Island cruise?

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours. The schedule includes about one hour sailing to Dia Island, around 3.25 hours at the island, and about one hour returning to Heraklion, with brief time at the harbor fortress.

Where does the cruise start?

Meet the EOS Yachts crew at the entrance of Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a freshly prepared Mediterranean seafood meal, gourmet cheese and cold-cut platters, seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki. Meat, vegetarian, chicken, and children’s menus are available if requested at least one day before departure.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails are available on request but are not included in the listed price.

What activities are available at Dia Island?

You can swim, snorkel, fish, use stand-up paddleboards, canoe boards, swimming noodles, and inflatable water toys. Sea scooters require advance booking and are not part of the standard inclusions.

How many people can join the cruise?

This is a semi-private cruise with a maximum of 22 participants. Private charter options are also available by request.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The boat provides snorkeling equipment and swimming vests, and it has toilets, a shower, and free Wi-Fi.