Heraklion Luxury Sailing Catamaran Dia Island | Gourmet Menu

The best part of this 5.5-hour catamaran cruise is the combination of a proper chef-cooked meal and time in a quiet bay off Dia Island. This is not just a boat ride with a sandwich and a quick swim. You get a modern yacht, a professional crew, a seafood-focused lunch, and several hours to enjoy the water.

I like the generous equipment list, especially the snorkeling gear, SUP boards, canoe board, fishing gear, and inflatables. I also like the thoughtful food service, with welcome pastries and coffee, cheese and cold cuts, a freshly prepared main course, fruit, dessert, and drinks included. The main thing to consider is the price: at $141 per person, it costs more than a basic boat trip, and rough sea conditions may limit some water activities.

Key points before you book

• A chef cooks onboard: Expect a fresh Mediterranean seafood meal, with chicken, vegetarian, and children’s alternatives available if requested in advance.
• Dia Island time is generous: About 3 hours and 15 minutes are set aside for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, fishing, lunch, and relaxing.
• The catamaran is limited to 22 people: This keeps the trip more personal than a large excursion boat, though it is still a shared cruise.
• Captain Thanasis leads a polished crew: English and Greek are spoken, and the crew handles safety, food, drinks, and water activities.
• The open bar is part of the fare: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• You need to arrive early: Meet the EOS Yachts representative at Marina Café in Heraklion Port at least 15 minutes before departure.

A polished start at 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 do not need to search the harbor on your own.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The boat leaves at the scheduled time, and the company is clear that late arrival is not a minor inconvenience. This is a working boat departure, not a flexible café meeting.

The cruise begins near Heraklion’s historic harbor, with views toward Rocca a Mare Fortress, also called Koules Fortress. You get a short photo stop and a look back at the city before the catamaran heads out toward Dia. The fortress is especially useful as a first visual marker, since it gives the trip a sense of place before the open-water portion begins.

You are welcomed with coffee, cake, Cretan delicacies, and a small selection of cheese and cold cuts. A safety briefing follows. It is brief, but important: you will be using a moving boat, swimming from the stern, and handling boards and other equipment later in the day.

One hour across the Aegean to Dia Island

The crossing to Dia takes about an hour. A catamaran makes a good platform for this stretch because it offers more room to sit, move around, and find shade than a narrow sailing boat.

The yacht is described as new, clean, and well maintained. It has shaded areas, comfortable places to sit, Wi-Fi, separate men’s and women’s facilities, and a shower. Those details matter more than they might seem. Five and a half hours at sea can feel long if the only facilities are a hard bench and a small toilet.

The crew keeps drinks available during the crossing. Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included, while cocktails require an extra request and charge. You can enjoy a drink as Heraklion fades behind you, but remember that alcohol and swimming do not mix well. The crew’s safety briefing and supervision help keep the mood relaxed without treating the water activities casually.

Keep an eye on the sea during the crossing. Dolphins and seabirds may appear, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The wide views are one of the simple pleasures here: blue water, the Cretan coast behind you, and the low profile of Dia ahead.

Dia Island’s quiet bay and clear water

Dia is the main event. The island is linked to Cretan mythology and is said to have been shaped by Zeus. You do not come here for a long land walk or an archaeological tour. The appeal is the coastline, the water, and the feeling of reaching a place accessible only by boat.

The catamaran anchors in one of Dia’s sheltered bays. Conditions determine exactly how calm the water will be, but the chosen anchorage is intended for swimming and water activities. You have roughly three hours and 15 minutes at the island, which is enough time to set your own pace instead of rushing from one activity to the next.

The snorkeling equipment and swimming vests are included. The seabed around Dia can offer fish and underwater life, though visibility and marine activity vary with weather, season, and anchoring conditions. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, and use the provided vest if you are not a confident swimmer.

The catamaran also carries SUP boards and canoe board equipment. These are good choices if you want movement without committing to a long swim. Fishing gear is available too, and inflatable toys and swimming noodles make the water more approachable for children and less confident swimmers.

Sea scooters are not included as standard. They require advance booking, and priority is given in booking order. If that equipment matters to you, arrange it before departure rather than assuming one will be available on the day.

Lunch by Chef Charis is a central part of the experience

Many boat excursions advertise food but treat it as an afterthought. EOS Yachts makes lunch one of the main reasons to book. Chef Charis, also spelled Haris in some trip information, prepares a fresh Mediterranean meal onboard using local ingredients.

The principal menu focuses on seafood. A seafood risotto with Greek kantaifi shrimp has been especially well received, and the meal is served as part of a larger sequence rather than as a single tray of food. The exact dishes can change, but you should expect a seafood-centered Mediterranean menu.

Chicken, vegetarian, and children’s options are available. You need to request a menu change at least one day before the cruise. Do not wait until you are sitting down to eat, particularly if someone in your group has a firm dietary preference.

The meal is paired with the open bar: local white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and raki follow lunch. Welcome snacks and pastries earlier in the trip add to the feeling that food is being served throughout the day rather than only at one scheduled sitting.

This is where the $141 price begins to make sense. You are paying for a modern boat, professional crew, equipment, a substantial meal prepared onboard, and drinks, not simply for transport to Dia. Still, the value depends on how much of that package you will use. If you dislike swimming, rarely drink, and mainly want a short look at the island, a cheaper sightseeing cruise may suit you better.

A crew that keeps the day running smoothly

Captain Thanasis is identified in the trip feedback as a personable, skilled leader. The crew speaks English and Greek and handles a wide mix of jobs: check-in, safety, navigation, food, drinks, equipment, and help in the water.

That level of service can make a shared boat feel more comfortable. The maximum group size is 22 people, so this is not a private charter, but it is far smaller than a large excursion vessel. The design gives you room to sit apart, find shade, eat comfortably, or join the social atmosphere.

The crew also appears attentive to special occasions. Birthday cakes and small celebrations have been arranged when the occasion was known from the booking details. If you are marking a birthday or anniversary, include that information when you reserve. It is a courtesy, not a guaranteed feature listed as part of the standard fare.

A practical strength is the crew’s response when someone feels unwell. One account describes the team providing careful support to a sick passenger. That does not make the trip suitable for every medical condition, and the boat can still move with the sea, but it suggests a serious approach to passenger care.

The return trip and changing sea conditions

After lunch and more time in the water, the catamaran turns back toward Heraklion. The return takes about an hour. Depending on the departure time and season, the ride may include a warm late-day glow and sunset views across the Aegean.

Do not treat sunset as a fixed guarantee. The schedule, weather, and season affect the light, and some departures may be timed differently. Still, the return is a scenic part of the outing rather than dead travel time. The crew may offer more drinks and Cretan dessert before you reach the harbor.

Sea conditions are the main variable. One passenger reported that rough conditions reduced the number of available activities, although the crew continued to look after everyone. The boat can be modern and well operated, but it cannot control wind, waves, or the comfort of every person onboard.

If you are prone to seasickness, plan carefully. Eat lightly before departure, bring any medication you normally use, and spend time in the more stable central areas of the boat if the water becomes choppy. The company’s own advice is simple: bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. I would also add a hat, sunglasses, and a light layer for the ride back.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would choose this trip for couples, families, small groups, and anyone who wants a comfortable day on the water without booking a fully private yacht. It also works well for a birthday or a special holiday meal, especially if food quality matters as much as swimming.

Families have several useful advantages here: a children’s menu can be requested, swimming vests are provided, and the boat carries inflatables, noodles, paddling equipment, and a shower. Parents should still expect to supervise children closely around the water and boat edges.

This is also a strong choice for people who have already seen Heraklion’s main sights and want a change of pace. Dia gives you a taste of the Cretan coast from the water, with a historic harbor departure and an island stop that feels separate from the city.

I would be less inclined to book it if you want a quiet private sailing day. The group is capped at 22, but other people will share the boat, the food service, and the anchorage. If privacy is essential, ask EOS Yachts about a private charter instead.

Practical details that affect your decision

The listed price is $141 per person. That is a premium price for a half-day cruise, but the package is unusually full: professional crew, welcome food, a chef-prepared main meal, open bar, dessert, snorkeling gear, swimming vests, fishing equipment, SUP, canoe board, inflatables, a shower, toilets, and Wi-Fi.

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours, with about an hour each way between Heraklion and Dia and 3 hours and 15 minutes at the island. Check the available departure times before booking, since the timing affects your light, temperature, and chance of a sunset return.

Private hotel transfers are not included, but pickup and transfer can be requested. The meeting point is Marina Café at Heraklion Port, where the crew escorts you to the boat.

Greek naval regulations require full details for every participant: full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender. Have those details ready during booking or provide them at least one day before departure.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Pets are not allowed, and smoking is not permitted indoors.

Should you book the EOS Yachts Dia Island cruise?

I would book it if you want the whole package: a smart catamaran, attentive service, a real meal, drinks, time in clear water, and a scenic return to Heraklion. The strongest reasons are the onboard chef, the equipment included, and the modest group size.

I would pause only if the $141 price stretches your budget, you dislike shared outings, or poor weather would make swimming the main reason for going. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to spend a half-day on Crete, with enough comfort to feel special and enough activity to keep it from becoming a passive boat ride.

FAQ

How long is the Dia Island catamaran cruise?

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

Where does the cruise depart?

Meet the EOS Yachts crew member at the entrance to Marina Café in Heraklion Port. The crew will guide you to the catamaran for check-in.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. The cruise leaves on time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A fresh Mediterranean seafood lunch prepared onboard is included, along with seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and raki.

Are there alternatives to the seafood menu?

Yes. Chicken, vegetarian, and children’s menus are available. Request a menu change at least one day before departure.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails are available by request but are not included in the standard package.

What water activities are available?

You can swim, snorkel, use SUP boards, paddle a canoe board, try fishing, or use the inflatable sea toys and swimming noodles. Snorkeling gear and swimming vests are included.

Is a sea scooter included?

No. Sea scooters require advance booking, and availability is handled by priority order.

How many people can join the shared cruise?

The semi-private cruise has 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 has toilets, a shower, and free Wi-Fi.