Heraklion Luxury Sailing Catamaran Dia Island | Gourmet Menu

Crete looks best from the water. EOS Yachts combines a modern catamaran, a freshly cooked seafood lunch, and several hours in a calm bay off Dia Island. I especially like the onboard chef and the generous choice of swimming gear, since this feels like more than a boat ride with a sandwich. The crew also puts real care into birthdays and special occasions.

The main drawback is the price: $141 per person is a serious spend for a 5.5-hour outing. It makes sense if you want a polished, food-focused cruise rather than the cheapest way to reach the water. Conditions can also limit swimming or water sports, as happens on any sea trip.

Five things to know before you book

• A real chef cooks onboard, with a seafood Mediterranean menu and meat, vegetarian, and children’s alternatives available with advance notice.
• Dia Island time lasts about 3 hours and 15 minutes, giving you room for swimming, snorkeling, SUP, canoeing, fishing, and lunch without a frantic schedule.
• The boat carries up to 22 people, so this is semi-private rather than a fully private yacht charter.
• Drinks are included, including water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Cocktails cost extra.
• The catamaran has two toilets, a shower, Wi-Fi, shaded areas, and comfortable places to sit, useful on a long day in strong Cretan sun.
• Dolphins and seabirds are possible sightings, but wildlife is never guaranteed.

Starting at Heraklion’s old harbor

Your meeting point is the entrance to Marina Café in Heraklion Port. An EOS crew member meets you there and leads you to the catamaran, so you do not need to hunt around the marina looking for the right boat. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The departure is exact, and a late arrival could mean missing the cruise.

The setting gives you an immediate taste of old Heraklion. The boat leaves near Koules Fortress, also called Rocca a Mare, the sturdy Venetian fort at the harbor entrance. You get a short photo stop and views of the fortress from the water before heading out toward Dia Island.

That stop is brief, around five minutes, so think of it as a good opening photograph rather than a fort visit. If you want a detailed look inside Koules Fortress, do that separately on another day.

Once onboard, the welcome begins with coffee, cake, and Cretan delicacies. The crew gives a short safety briefing, then you settle into the catamaran for the crossing. This opening matters because it sets a relaxed tone without wasting the best swimming hours at the island.

A modern catamaran with room to spread out

The vessel is new, clean, and designed for comfort. Several people who have taken boat trips elsewhere in Greece found older boats cramped or tired, so the condition of this catamaran is one of the clearest reasons to pay more here.

You have shaded seating, open areas for sun, and enough room to move around without feeling packed in. The maximum group size is 22 people. That is not the same as having your own yacht, but it is far more personal than a large excursion boat.

The catamaran includes a toilet for men and a toilet for women, plus a shower. Those are practical details, not luxury decoration. After swimming in salt water, you can rinse off before lunch or the return trip. Free Wi-Fi is also available, although I would treat it as a backup rather than the point of the day.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Captain Thanasis has received particular praise for his friendly manner, calm leadership, and attention to safety. The wider crew keeps drinks filled, explains the equipment, and helps people get comfortable in the water.

The atmosphere is meant to be sociable. You share the boat with other people, and the captain reportedly sets a friendly tone by presenting the group as a team for the day. If you want complete privacy, ask EOS about a private charter instead.

The hour-long sail to Dia Island

The crossing to Dia takes about an hour. This is not dead time. It is your chance to watch Heraklion recede, feel the catamaran’s smooth movement, and take photographs across the Aegean.

Dia is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Heraklion, wrapped in myths connected with Zeus and ancient Crete. You will not be visiting archaeological ruins or walking through a village. The attraction is the water, the quiet coastline, and the feeling of reaching a place accessible only by boat.

The ride can be breezy, so keep a light layer within reach even in summer. At sea, the temperature can feel different from the harbor. Sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel are essential. Sunglasses with a secure strap are also sensible, though they are not listed as required items.

Wildlife may appear along the way. Dolphins and seabirds have been seen, but the crew cannot promise sightings. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the search distract you from the wide sea views.

Three hours in a calm bay off Dia

The catamaran anchors in one of Dia’s sheltered bays. The exact conditions depend on wind and sea state, but the plan is to give you a long stretch of free time for swimming and water activities.

This is where the trip earns its place on a Crete itinerary. You are not rushed from one small stop to another. You have time to climb into the clear water, snorkel near the boat, and return to the deck when you want a break.

Snorkeling equipment and swimming vests are included. The seabed around Dia offers fish and underwater life, although this is not presented as a specialist scuba or marine biology excursion. It is a pleasant chance to see more than you would from the deck.

Stand-up paddleboards and canoe boards are available, along with fishing gear, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles. The calm bay makes these options accessible even if you are not a strong paddler. Some people will spend the whole stop swimming; others will prefer a slow paddle around the catamaran.

A sea scooter may be available, but it requires advance booking and is not included in the standard price. Availability follows a priority order, so request one before departure if it matters to you.

The main limitation is weather. Wind or rough water can reduce access to some activities. One afternoon cruise had fewer water options because of conditions, but the crew still looked after everyone. That is worth remembering: the boat, food, and service remain part of the experience, even when the sea does not cooperate.

The meal is the heart of the cruise

Many boat trips include food as an afterthought. EOS makes lunch a central part of the day, with food prepared onboard by a chef using local ingredients.

The main menu focuses on fresh seafood. One especially praised dish is seafood risotto with Greek kantaifi shrimp. That is a more thoughtful menu than the usual cold pasta or basic grilled fare, and it helps explain the premium price.

The seafood option is not your only choice. Meat, vegetarian, and children’s menus are available, but you need to request a change at least one day before the cruise. Do not wait until you are sitting down to eat if you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or a strong preference.

Food begins before lunch with coffee, cake, Cretan treats, and platters of cheeses and cold cuts. After the main meal, the crew serves seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki. The sequence gives the trip a Greek food identity instead of treating lunch as fuel between activities.

Local white wine, beer, water, and soft drinks are included and served throughout the cruise. Cocktails are not included, although they can be requested separately. The open bar adds real value for a half-day at sea, especially if you would otherwise buy several drinks at a resort or beach club.

The meal may be the strongest reason to choose this cruise over a less expensive sailing trip. People have singled out the freshness, generous portions, and chef-prepared dishes. I would not book it only for the food, since taste is personal and menus can change, but the combination of food, drinks, and setting is unusually strong.

Returning to Heraklion with the sea turning gold

After lunch, you have time for another swim, more sun, or one last session with the SUP and canoe boards. This second water period is useful. You do not have to choose between eating and enjoying the bay.

The return crossing takes roughly an hour. Depending on the departure schedule and season, the light can become especially beautiful as the boat approaches Heraklion. The sunset return has been a memorable part of the trip for many people, with the coast and sea taking on warm evening colors.

Before arriving, the crew serves more drinks and Cretan desserts. That final snack is a small but welcome touch, especially after swimming and spending several hours in the sun.

You return to Cafe Marina in Heraklion Port. From there, you arrange your own onward transport unless you requested a private pickup or transfer. Hotel transportation is not part of the standard price, though it can be arranged on request.

Is $141 good value?

At $141 per person, this is not a budget excursion. You are paying for the catamaran, professional crew, food prepared onboard, a long stop at Dia, equipment, and an open bar.

A cheaper sailing trip may get you to similar water but offer an older boat, less space, fewer activities, or a simpler meal. If you mainly want a quick swim and a few photographs, the price may feel high. You could spend less elsewhere and still enjoy the Cretan coast.

I think the value becomes stronger for people who care about comfort and food. You do not need to rent snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, or inflatables. You do not have to buy lunch and drinks separately. The toilets, shower, shade, and spacious deck also matter when you spend five and a half hours at sea.

The semi-private size is another part of the calculation. With no more than 22 people, the boat should feel calmer than a large group cruise, though it will not offer the privacy of a charter. For a birthday, anniversary, family outing, or small celebration, the crew may add thoughtful touches such as a birthday cake if the occasion is included in your booking details.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This is a good fit for you if you want a comfortable day on the water without giving up a proper meal. Families can use the children’s menu and water equipment, while couples may appreciate the spacious deck and evening light on the way home.

It also suits first-time sailors. The crew handles the practical details, provides safety equipment, and offers several ways to enjoy the bay. You can be active for an hour and then sit quietly with a drink.

Food-focused visitors should pay attention to the advance menu request. The standard meal is seafood, but chicken, vegetarian, and children’s choices are possible if requested at least one day ahead.

This may not suit you if you dislike group excursions, want a long island walk, or need guaranteed calm water. Dia Island is experienced from the sea, not through a land tour. Also, water sports depend on conditions, and a sea scooter costs extra.

The cruise does not allow pets, and smoking indoors is not allowed. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The crew requires full participant details for Greek naval regulations: name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender.

Should you book the EOS Dia Island cruise?

I would book this if you want Crete’s sea day to feel polished, social, and food-centered. The strongest features are the new catamaran, attentive crew, chef-prepared lunch, included drinks, and unusually long free time at Dia Island.

I would skip it if your main aim is the lowest possible price or a private boat. In that case, compare smaller charter options or simpler cruises. For everyone else, $141 is a fair premium for a comfortable boat and a well-fed afternoon, especially when you plan to spend only one day at sea in Heraklion.

FAQ

How long is the EOS Yachts cruise?

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

Where does the cruise begin?

Meet the EOS Yachts crew at the entrance to Marina Café in Heraklion Port. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How many people can join the catamaran?

The semi-private cruise has a maximum of 22 participants. Private charter options are also available by request.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch is included, with the standard menu focused on seafood. Meat, vegetarian, and children’s alternatives can be requested at least one day before departure.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails are available on request but cost extra.

What activities are available at Dia Island?

You can swim, snorkel, fish, use stand-up paddleboards, try canoe boards, and play with inflatable sea equipment. Swimming vests and snorkeling gear are provided.

Is a sea scooter included?

No. A sea scooter requires advance booking and is subject to availability and priority order.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Private transportation and pickup are not included in the standard price. A transfer can be requested separately.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You should also provide the required participant details for Greek naval regulations during booking or at least one day before departure.