Heraklion Luxury Catamaran Dia Isla -Gourmet Lunch Top Rated

Heraklion’s best day on the water may be this 5.5-hour cruise to Dia Island, where the main attraction is not just the sea, but the way the day is put together. You leave from the port, pause for views of Koules Fortress, swim in a quiet bay, and eat a proper meal prepared onboard by chef Charis. The food is a real feature, not an afterthought.

I especially like two things here. First, the new catamaran gives you room to move, with shaded seating, a WC, shower, and Wi-Fi. Second, you get a good choice of activities at Dia: snorkeling, paddleboarding, canoeing, fishing, and inflatables, or simply time in the sun. Skipper Thanasis and the crew are also repeatedly praised for their warm, careful service.

The main consideration is the fixed departure time. You must reach Marina Café at least 15 minutes early, and the boat leaves on schedule. Also, the standard meal is seafood-based, so request the meat, vegetarian, or children’s menu at least a day ahead.

Key points to know before booking

• Chef-prepared lunch: Fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes are cooked onboard, with meat and vegetarian alternatives available by request.
• A full three hours at Dia Island: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, lunch, and a final swim.
• Modern catamaran comfort: The boat includes shaded areas, a WC, shower, free Wi-Fi, and space to relax between activities.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included, followed by fruit, dessert, and raki.
• Koules Fortress photo stop: The cruise begins with views of Heraklion’s Rocca a Mare Fortress before heading out to sea.
• Sea scooters require advance booking: They are available only on request, and priority is given in booking order.

Why the Dia Island cruise is more than a simple boat trip

There are many boat outings around Crete, but this one is built around a complete half-day at sea. You are not simply taken to a swimming spot, handed a sandwich, and brought back. The schedule gives you time to enjoy the boat itself, explore the water around Dia Island, eat a prepared meal, and watch the coast recede on the return.

The price is $122 per person. That is not the cheapest way to reach Dia, but the cost includes much more than transport. You get the catamaran, professional English-speaking crew, lunch, drinks, fruit, dessert, snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, fishing gear, SUP equipment, canoe boards, and inflatable water toys.

For me, the value depends on how you like to spend a day. If you only want a quick swim, a simpler boat may be enough. If you want a polished day with food, drinks, equipment, shade, and service already arranged, the price makes more sense.

Meeting at Heraklion Port and leaving beneath Koules Fortress

The meeting point is the entrance to Marina Café in Heraklion Port. An EOS Yachts crew member meets you there and guides you to the boat for check-in. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. This matters because the cruise leaves at the scheduled time rather than waiting for late arrivals.

The first part of the outing includes local snacks, coffee, welcome refreshments, and a short safety briefing. This is a useful start, especially if you plan to use several kinds of equipment later. You can ask questions, get comfortable with the boat, and learn the basic safety arrangements before setting out.

The route includes a brief photo stop near Rocca a Mare Fortress, better known as Koules Fortress. The stone fortress guards Heraklion’s old harbor and gives you a fine opening view of the city from the water. The stop is short, around five minutes, so think of it as a chance to take photographs rather than a fortress visit.

After that, the catamaran heads toward Dia Island. The crossing takes about an hour. Use this time to settle into the seating areas, enjoy the view, and take photographs. You may also want a light layer for the ride, since conditions on open water can feel different from the heat along the port.

The catamaran: modern, spacious, and made for a long afternoon

The boat is one of the strongest parts of this outing. It is described as new, modern, spacious, and spotless, with black shades and tented areas that provide useful protection from the sun. That shade is not a minor detail in Crete. After several hours outside, a covered place to sit can make the difference between feeling refreshed and feeling roasted.

You can move around the catamaran, settle into a shaded area, or spend time at the edge of the boat when conditions allow. The onboard WC and shower are practical additions, especially after swimming. Free Wi-Fi is available if you need to stay connected, though the sea is a good excuse to put your phone away for a while.

Several people who sailed with the company singled out the crew’s service. Chef Charis receives particular praise for freshly prepared food, while Thanasis is noted as an experienced skipper. Marios is also mentioned for taking photographs and helping create a friendly atmosphere.

The exact number of people onboard is not given, so I would not book this expecting a private charter unless you have arranged one separately. The setting can feel intimate, and the catamaran offers plenty of room, but this is still a shared cruise.

Three hours in a quiet bay at Dia Island

Dia Island is the main event. The island is linked in local legend to Zeus, who is said to have shaped it. You do not need to know the mythology to enjoy the place, but the story adds character to the rocky coast and isolated bays.

The catamaran anchors in one of Dia’s quiet bays, accessible by boat. The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the coast is largely untouched. This is where the schedule earns its keep. With about 3 hours and 15 minutes at the island, you are not forced to choose between lunch and water activities.

Start with a swim or snorkeling session. Snorkeling equipment and swimming vests are included, so you do not need to pack your own gear. The seabed has marine life, and the clear water gives you a chance to see below the surface. As always, visibility and sea conditions can vary, so do not expect a guaranteed wildlife show.

You can also use a stand-up paddleboard, canoe board, fishing equipment, swimming noodles, and inflatable toys. Sea scooters are available only if requested in advance, and priority follows the booking order. If a scooter is important to you, arrange it before the day of departure rather than waiting until you are onboard.

The bay also works for people who prefer a slower day. You can sit in the shade, take photographs, float in the water, and enjoy the view without joining every activity. That range is useful for mixed groups, since energetic swimmers and relaxed sunbathers can share the same outing.

A short walk on Dia may be possible in the time available, and one party mentioned walking an ancient Minoan path. The supplied schedule centers on water activities, however, so do not treat this as a hiking excursion. Your main time is spent around the boat and bay.

A seafood lunch prepared onboard by chef Charis

Lunch is where this cruise separates itself from a standard sailing trip. The meal is a premium Mediterranean seafood menu prepared onboard with local ingredients. The food includes gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts, followed by the main meal, seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and raki.

Chef Charis is repeatedly singled out for the quality of the cooking. One praised dish is seafood and shrimp tempura risotto. Another meal included a vegetarian dish prepared in a traditional clay pot. These details suggest a kitchen that takes the food seriously rather than simply reheating a basic buffet.

The standard menu is seafood-based. If you prefer chicken, vegetarian food, or a children’s meal, contact the reservation department at least one day before departure. Do not assume a last-minute change will always be possible. One person received a meat risotto onboard without having requested it ahead of time, but that was a thoughtful exception, not something to rely on.

Drinks are part of the package. The open bar includes unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Cocktails are not included, though they can be requested separately. The combination of lunch and drinks adds meaningful value to the $122 price, especially since you do not need to bring food or purchase drinks during the cruise.

Raki comes after dessert, giving the meal a distinctly Cretan finish. If you do not drink alcohol, water and soft drinks are available. You may also want to pace yourself, since the day includes sun, swimming, and a return crossing.

The return sail and the late-day light

After lunch, you have time for more sun or another swim. The return trip to Heraklion takes about an hour, and the views across the Aegean become part of the final act.

Some departures may include sunset or late-day light, depending on the scheduled start time. The activity page asks you to check availability for the exact departure time, so do not assume every sailing has the same sunset timing. If evening light matters to you, check the schedule before booking.

The return is more than a transfer back to the port. It gives you a chance to dry off, enjoy the open bar, and take in the water from a different angle. One person particularly enjoyed the sundowner atmosphere, while another called the return journey a highlight of the day.

You finish back at Marina Café, the same place where you started. That simple arrangement makes the outing easier to manage, especially if you are staying in Heraklion or visiting on a cruise stop. Hotel or cruise-ship transfers are available on request, but private transportation is not included in the listed price.

What to bring and what to arrange ahead

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water, and a camera. You will have access to onboard water, but carrying your own bottle is still sensible for the meeting point and port area.

Bring sun protection you can reapply. The boat has shaded areas, but you will spend time near reflective water, and the strongest sun may arrive while you are swimming or using the boards.

The crew speaks English and provides the necessary snorkeling gear, swimming vests, fishing equipment, SUP equipment, canoe boards, and water toys. You do not need to bring this equipment yourself.

Greek naval regulations require full details for every participant. You must provide each person’s full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender during booking or at least one day before departure.

Pets are not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited. If you need a transfer from a hotel or cruise ship, request it after booking. The cruise itself begins and ends at the Heraklion Port meeting point.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want comfort without giving up time in the water. It suits people who like a little activity but do not want a packed adventure program. You can snorkel, paddle, fish, and canoe, then return to a shaded seat and a prepared lunch.

It is also a good choice for a special occasion. The crew has made an effort with birthdays, including an unexpected cake, and the service is a strong part of the experience. Corporate groups have also used the boat for events.

Families should request the children’s menu in advance if needed. The swimming area, inflatables, and vests provide options for different ages, though parents remain responsible for supervising children around the water.

Food-focused visitors will appreciate this cruise more than those who view lunch as a minor detail. The menu is one of the main reasons to choose it. People who avoid seafood should arrange an alternative before departure.

This may not suit someone looking for a very quiet, private sailing day. The boat carries shared passengers, and the activity equipment encourages a social, active atmosphere. It is also not the right choice if you want a full-day island visit or a long shore walk. Most of the time at Dia is centered on the bay and the catamaran.

Is the $122 price good value?

At $122 per person, the cruise sits in the higher-priced range for a half-day boat outing. The value is in the package: a modern catamaran, professional crew, a chef-prepared meal, an open bar, water equipment, and more than three hours at Dia Island.

If you paid separately for lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and boat transport, the difference between this and a basic trip would narrow. You are also paying for comfort, shade, onboard facilities, and a more polished service style.

I would not choose it solely to reach Dia Island. I would choose it for the full combination of boat, food, service, and water time. That is the fair way to judge the price.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Crete plans are still shifting, but you still need to provide the required passenger details and meal requests on time.

Should you book the EOS Yachts Dia Island cruise?

Book it if you want a stylish half-day from Heraklion with excellent food, a comfortable boat, and several ways to enjoy the sea. The strongest reasons are chef Charis’s cooking, Thanasis’s capable skippering, the roomy catamaran, and the long stop in Dia’s bay.

Think twice if you want a cheap ride, a private charter, extensive hiking, or a seafood-free meal arranged at the last minute. For most people seeking a special day on the water, though, this is a well-rounded choice. Arrive early, request your menu in advance, reserve a sea scooter before spaces fill, and let the crew handle the rest.

FAQ

How long does the Dia Island catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours. The schedule includes about one hour sailing to Dia Island, around 3 hours and 15 minutes at the island, and about one hour sailing back to Heraklion.

Where does the cruise start?

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

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. The cruise leaves exactly on time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a freshly prepared Mediterranean seafood menu, along with gourmet platters, seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and raki.

Are vegetarian or meat meals available?

Yes. Meat, vegetarian, and children’s menu options are available by request. You should contact the reservation department at least one day before the cruise.

What drinks are included?

The all-inclusive bar includes water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Cocktails are not included, but they may be requested separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and swimming vests are included. Fishing gear, SUP equipment, canoe boards, inflatable toys, and swimming noodles are also provided.

Are sea scooters included?

Sea scooters are not included automatically. They require advance booking, and priority is given in booking order.