Heraklion Luxury Catamaran Dia Isla -Gourmet Lunch Top Rated

Crete looks best from the sea. This 5.5-hour cruise pairs a sleek catamaran with two things I especially like: a freshly cooked gourmet lunch and plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and relaxing in Dia Island’s calm waters. The one point to weigh is the price, $122 per person, which makes this a special outing rather than a cheap way to get on the water.

The trip also works well for cruise passengers because it begins and ends at Heraklion Port. I like the thoughtful details, from coffee and Cretan treats at boarding to shaded seating, a WC, shower, Wi-Fi, and an open bar. You need to arrive 15 minutes early, since the boat leaves at its scheduled time.

Five things worth knowing before you book

• The lunch is a main event: A chef prepares a seafood-based Mediterranean meal onboard, with meat, vegetarian, and children’s options available if requested at least one day ahead.
• Dia Island gives you real water time: The boat spends about 3 hours and 15 minutes anchored near the island, enough for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, fishing, and a relaxed meal.
• The catamaran is built for comfort: Shaded areas, modern facilities, a shower, Wi-Fi, and room to spread out make the cruise more comfortable than a basic boat outing.
• The crew adds a personal touch: Thanasis is praised as an experienced skipper, while chef Charis receives repeated attention for his cooking. Marios has also been singled out for taking photos.
• The trip is active, but not demanding: You can use SUP boards, canoe boards, inflatables, swimming noodles, and snorkeling gear, or simply sit with a drink.
• Sea scooters cost extra: They are available only by advance booking, with priority given in booking order.

Leaving Heraklion beside Koules Fortress

Your meeting point is the entrance of Marina Café at Heraklion Port. An EOS Yachts crew member meets you there and leads you to the catamaran, so you do not need to search the harbor for the correct boat.

The setting is useful and photogenic. Heraklion’s old harbor is watched over by Rocca a Mare, better known as Koules Fortress, a sturdy Venetian-era sea fortress at the water’s edge. You get a short photo stop near this landmark before the boat heads out toward Dia Island.

The first moments onboard are gentle rather than rushed. You receive coffee, cake, and local Cretan delicacies, followed by a short safety briefing. That welcome matters because it lets you settle in before the boat reaches open water.

The crew speaks English and includes qualified, certified staff. Thanasis, identified in the praise for this cruise as an experienced skipper, has been especially appreciated for his calm handling of the trip and his stories about the area. The experience has a family-run feel, with service that aims to make the day personal rather than mechanical.

A one-hour sail to Dia Island

The crossing from Heraklion to Dia takes about an hour each way. That gives you a full two hours of sailing, not simply a short transfer to a swimming stop.

From the catamaran, you get wide views of the Aegean and the Cretan coast fading behind you. Keep your camera ready for changing light across the water, seabirds, and the possibility of dolphins. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the open sea gives you a reasonable chance to watch for them.

The boat itself is a major part of the value. It is described as new, modern, spacious, and spotless, with black shades and covered areas that help protect you from the strong Cretan sun. You can sit in the shade, move around for a better view, or find a comfortable place to stretch out.

That space is important on a half-day cruise. A crowded boat can turn a lovely bay into a contest for elbow room. Here, the layout is intended to give everyone room to relax, and the small-group feel has been praised as part of the experience. The exact group size is not specified, so I would not assume a private charter, but the boat is designed to feel comfortable rather than cramped.

Dia Island and its mythic setting

Dia is a low, uninhabited island north of Heraklion, shaped in local legend by Zeus. Its connection with Minoan myths and ancient seafaring stories gives the stop a little more character than a random swimming bay.

The appeal, though, is mostly the water. The catamaran anchors in a sheltered bay accessible only by boat, where the sea is described as clear and calm. You are not being brought to a developed beach town with cafés and souvenir shops. Your base for the afternoon is the catamaran, the bay, and the untouched coastline around you.

You get about 3 hours and 15 minutes here. That is the strongest part of the schedule because you do not have to choose between lunch and water activities. There is time for a swim, a session with the snorkeling gear, a paddleboard outing, and a proper meal without racing the clock.

Snorkeling equipment and swimming vests are included. The seabed around Dia has marine life, though the exact conditions can change with weather and water clarity. If you enjoy looking beneath the surface, bring patience and allow yourself time to float quietly rather than treating snorkeling as a quick photo stop.

There is also a chance to try fishing with the provided gear. SUP boards, canoe boards, inflatables, and swimming noodles are available for use. The calm bay makes these activities suitable for a mixed group, with energetic people able to stay busy while others enjoy the sun and scenery.

The onboard lunch deserves its own course

The food is the most praised part of this cruise, and it is easy to see why. This is not simply a tray of sandwiches brought from shore. A chef prepares a Mediterranean meal onboard using local ingredients, and the seafood menu includes dishes such as shrimp tempura risotto according to the dining praise surrounding this outing.

Chef Charis has been repeatedly singled out for his cooking. A vegetarian meal has been served in a traditional clay pot, and a meat risotto was prepared for one couple who had not requested a change in advance. That last detail should not be treated as a promise, but it does show the level of care the kitchen has offered.

The standard meal is seafood-based. If you prefer chicken, vegetarian food, or a children’s menu, tell the reservation department at least one day before departure. Do not wait until boarding and expect a full replacement menu to be guaranteed.

The meal also includes gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts. Drinks are covered by the open bar, including water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. After lunch, seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and raki round out the meal.

Cocktails are not included, so you pay extra if you want them. For many people, the included wine and beer will be enough, especially with lunch and the return sail.

A relaxed afternoon instead of a rushed excursion

The schedule leaves room for you to set your own pace. You can swim from the boat, use the inflatables, try fishing, or take a canoe board out across the bay. If you prefer a quiet afternoon, shaded seating and the open bar let you treat the catamaran as a floating terrace.

This flexibility is one of the reasons I would recommend the trip to couples, families, and mixed-age groups. A strong swimmer can use the equipment while someone else reads, takes photos, or stays dry. Families should note that a children’s meal is available by advance request, and swimming vests are provided.

The sea scooter is the one activity that needs extra planning. It is not part of the standard inclusions and requires advance booking. Priority is given in booking order, so ask about it as soon as you reserve if it is important to you.

You may also hear about a path on Dia connected with ancient Minoan activity. One person used time at the island to hike it, but the main focus of this particular trip remains the water and the boat. If land walking is your priority, ask the crew how much time and access the conditions allow on the day.

The return sail and the sunset mood

After lunch and more time in the bay, the catamaran turns back toward Heraklion. The return crossing takes about an hour and can be the most peaceful part of the outing, especially as the light softens over the Aegean.

The sunset departure has received particular praise. The exact light depends on the season and sailing time, since starting times vary by availability, but late-day departures can bring a warm glow to the water and harbor. Marios has been praised for taking photos, which can be a nice extra if the crew offers to help with pictures.

The boat has free Wi-Fi, but I would treat that as a convenience rather than the point of the day. The sea views, food, and time away from shore are the real draw. Use the connection if you need it, then put the phone away when the light gets good.

The cruise ends back at Marina Café in Heraklion Port. If you are visiting Heraklion from a cruise ship, the location is practical, but you still need to allow enough time for the return to your ship after the activity. Optional hotel or cruise-ship transfers are available on request, but private transportation is not included in the listed price.

What the $122 price really covers

At $122 per person, this costs more than a basic group boat ride. The value comes from what is bundled into the half-day: a new luxury catamaran, professional crew, welcome refreshments, chef-prepared lunch, wine and beer, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, SUPs, canoe boards, inflatables, and use of onboard facilities.

A separate lunch, drinks, and equipment rental would quickly add to the cost on a simpler excursion. You are also paying for the boat itself, especially its shaded areas, space, WC, shower, and more polished service.

Still, I would not call it a budget activity. If you mainly want a short swim and a cheap boat transfer, a less expensive cruise may suit you better. If you want food quality, comfort, and several hours in a quiet bay, the price is easier to justify.

The high rating, 5 out of 5 from 68 ratings, fits the strongest points of the experience: the food, the catamaran, and the crew. Praise has also focused on birthday touches, attentive service, special meal preparation, and the feeling of being well looked after. Those details suggest that EOS Yachts puts real effort into hospitality, though individual extras such as celebrations should never be assumed unless arranged.

Who should book this Dia Island cruise?

I would choose this outing if you want a polished day at sea without renting a boat yourself. It is especially suited to:

• Couples looking for a comfortable cruise with a good meal and sunset views
• Families who want swimming equipment and a children’s menu option
• Cruise passengers with a stop in Heraklion
• Food-focused visitors who care about a freshly prepared lunch
• Groups with mixed interests, since some people can be active while others relax
• Anyone who prefers a spacious catamaran to a basic excursion boat

You should think twice if you dislike open-water crossings, want a long land visit on Dia, or are watching every euro. The itinerary includes about two hours of sailing, and the sea can feel rougher on some days even when the bay is calm.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, and water. Smoking indoors and pets are not allowed. Greek naval rules require the full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender for every participant, either during booking or at least one day before departure.

Should you book EOS Yachts?

Book it if comfort and food matter as much as the island stop. The standout features are the chef-prepared lunch, the generous equipment list, the shaded modern catamaran, and the crew’s attention to small details.

The main caution is simple: $122 is a premium price, and the trip is built around sailing and swimming rather than a long guided visit on land. For a memorable sea day from Heraklion, though, the combination is strong. Request your preferred meal in advance, reserve a sea scooter early if you want one, and arrive 15 minutes before departure. Then let Dia Island, the open water, and a plate of Cretan food do the work.

FAQ

How long does the EOS Yachts Dia Island cruise last?

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

Where does the cruise begin and end?

The meeting point is at the entrance of Marina Café in Heraklion Port. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch is included, with a seafood-based main menu. Meat, vegetarian, and children’s menu options are available if requested at least one day before the cruise.

Are drinks included?

The all-inclusive bar includes water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Cocktails are available on request for an additional charge.

What water equipment is included?

Snorkeling gear, swimming vests, fishing gear, SUP equipment, canoe boards, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles are included. Sea scooters require advance booking and are not included in the standard price.

What information is required when booking?

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