Luxury Catamaran Cruise, Dia Island –Open Bar & Lunch -Top Rated!

Sea, food, and a quiet island bay make this five-and-a-half-hour cruise an appealing way to spend a day near Heraklion. The catamaran sails to Dia Island, where you have about three hours for swimming, snorkeling, SUP boarding, fishing, or simply enjoying the boat. I especially like the fresh onboard seafood lunch and the unusually complete set of water equipment.

I also like the small maximum group of 25 people, the professional English-speaking crew, and the all-inclusive drinks service. The main consideration is price: at $145.18 per person, this costs more than a basic boat trip, and the value depends on how much you use the food, drinks, and equipment. Weather can also affect the schedule.

Quick points before you book

• Three hours at Dia Island: The cruise allows a generous stop in the island’s peaceful bay, rather than a quick photo stop.
• Fresh food cooked onboard: The premium menu includes seafood, salads, cheeses, cold cuts, fruit, and a local Cretan dessert.
• More than a swim stop: Snorkeling gear, SUP boards, fishing equipment, canoe boards, swimming noodles, and inflatable toys are included.
• Open bar with useful limits: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• Small-group catamaran: The boat takes no more than 25 people, which should feel calmer than a large party boat.
• Easy meeting point: You meet at Cafe Marina on Leoforos Nearchou in Heraklion and return there after the cruise.

Sailing from Heraklion toward Dia Island

The meeting point is Cafe Marina, Leoforos Nearchou, Iraklio 712 02. Private pickup and transfer are available only by request, so you should plan your own way to the marina unless you arrange transportation in advance.

The cruise lasts about five hours and 30 minutes. That timing matters because it gives the outing enough room for sailing, lunch, water activities, and a proper stop at Dia rather than squeezing everything into a rushed half-day.

Dia Island sits offshore from Crete and provides the main setting for the trip. The appeal is not a long list of historical sights. It is the chance to trade Heraklion’s streets for open water and spend several unhurried hours in a sheltered bay.

The boat itself is a high-end catamaran, according to the available experience details and guest feedback. That means you have more room to sit, move around, eat, and dry off than you would on a small motorboat. A catamaran also gives you several places to settle in, whether you want sun, shade, conversation, or a quiet view across the water.

The crew includes a qualified English-speaking captain and assistants. The strongest praise focuses on the crew’s professionalism, friendly manner, and attention to comfort. One especially useful detail is that the captain chooses an anchorage close to shore in the bay, making it easier to swim over, use the boards, or relax without a long transfer from the boat.

Three hours in Dia’s peaceful bay

The Dia stop is the heart of the cruise. You have about three hours in the bay, with no admission charge and no formal sightseeing program to rush through. Your time is built around the sea.

You can swim from the catamaran, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or try stand-up paddleboarding. Fishing gear is also available, along with canoe board equipment, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles. That range is valuable because people in the same group can choose very different ways to spend the stop.

If you prefer a quiet afternoon, you do not need to use every piece of equipment. You can stay aboard, enjoy a drink, watch the water, and let the crew handle the practical details. This is one reason the cruise works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another reads or lounges nearby.

Snorkeling conditions can vary with weather, wind, and water clarity, so you should not book this as a guaranteed marine-life encounter. The equipment is included, but the experience is still shaped by nature. The same is true of swimming and paddleboarding. Calm conditions make the bay more enjoyable, while a windy day may limit some activities.

The bay is also a good place for photographs. The turquoise water, white catamaran, and open sea create the kind of setting that rewards a waterproof phone case. You should keep your phone secure around the water, since the best views tend to tempt you away from dry surfaces.

A premium lunch prepared at sea

Food is one of the clearest reasons this cruise costs more than a simple sailing excursion. The lunch is prepared onboard with local ingredients, and the menu offers seafood, vegetarian, and meat choices.

The seafood option combines sea garden risotto with kantaifi-wrapped tempura shrimps. It is a more ambitious meal than the usual sandwich or packaged lunch found on a boat tour. Fresh salads accompany the main courses.

The vegetarian choice is a spinach lasagna inspired by moussaka, with layers of pasta and creamy béchamel. The meat option is a chicken lasagna with mushrooms and colorful bell peppers. These choices make the meal practical for a group with different preferences, though you should select your main course when reserving the cruise.

The food service does not stop at lunch. The day begins with welcome coffee and Cretan delicacies. There are also gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts, seasonal fruit, snacks, and a local Cretan dessert.

This spread changes the rhythm of the day. You are not left waiting for one meal after several hours in the sun. You can have something small before swimming, eat lunch when the boat is anchored, and enjoy fruit or dessert afterward.

I would still check the menu before booking if you have allergies or strict dietary needs. The information gives three main choices, but it does not list allergy procedures or special substitutions.

Open bar, coffee, and what is not included

The all-inclusive bar covers water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Coffee and tea are also part of the food service. For many people, this is a genuine convenience. You do not need to bring money to buy each bottle or soft drink during the day.

Cocktails are not included and can be requested at an additional cost. A sea scooter is also extra and requires advance booking, with priority given in booking order. If that activity matters to you, arrange it before the cruise rather than hoping one will be available onboard.

The minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages is 18. The open bar should not be mistaken for a party-focused cruise, though. The strongest points of the experience are the relaxed setting, food, and crew, not loud entertainment or nightlife.

If you do not drink alcohol, the package still has practical value through water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, lunch, and snacks. If you plan to drink very little and only want a boat ride, the price may feel high compared with a simpler sailing option.

Equipment that makes the stop easier

A major strength is the amount of equipment included in the base price. You receive high-quality snorkeling gear and swimming vests, plus SUP equipment, fishing gear, canoe board equipment, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles.

You should not have to pack bulky water gear from home. Swimming vests are particularly useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer, although you should still follow the crew’s instructions and stay within your comfort level.

The equipment also gives the three-hour stop more structure. A short swim can become a paddleboarding session, followed by snorkeling and time on the deck. You can try several activities without paying separate rental fees at the bay.

There is a men’s and women’s toilet onboard, as well as a shower. These are simple facilities, but they matter after swimming and before lunch. Free WiFi is also available, although you may find that the best part of the cruise is putting the phone away for a while.

What the group size and timing mean

The maximum group size is 25 people. That is not a private charter, but it is much more manageable than a large excursion boat packed with dozens or hundreds of people.

A smaller group gives the crew more chance to explain the equipment, answer questions, and keep the day organized. It also makes the catamaran feel less crowded when people return from the water.

The cruise is offered in English, and the crew is described as qualified, certified, and English speaking. The available feedback gives special credit to the captain, chef, and assistant, with repeated praise for the professional service and relaxed atmosphere.

The experience is booked an average of 13 days ahead, so you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. That is especially important if you are visiting Heraklion during a busy summer period or arriving from a cruise ship.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, allow enough time to reach Cafe Marina and return before your ship’s departure. The stated activity ends back at the original meeting point, but private transportation is not included.

Is $145.18 a fair price?

At $145.18 per person, this is a premium day on the water. You are paying for more than transport to Dia Island. The price includes a high-end catamaran, a small maximum group, a prepared lunch, drinks, coffee, snacks, dessert, water equipment, onboard facilities, and a professional crew.

I see the best value for people who plan to use several parts of the package. If you will swim, snorkel, paddleboard, eat the full meal, and enjoy the drinks, the all-inclusive format can save you from a series of small extra charges.

The price is less attractive if you want only a short boat ride or a basic swim stop. In that case, a simpler excursion may meet your needs for less money. You are also paying for comfort and service, so the value is not measured only by the number of hours spent at Dia.

The food appears to be a major part of the experience. A premium seafood meal prepared onboard is unusual for a standard island cruise, and the extra platters and dessert make the day feel more like a full outing than a transfer with snacks.

Weather, cancellation, and practical limits

This cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same option applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Most people can take part, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications, so you should contact Eos Yachts directly if you need help with boarding, mobility, or other access needs.

Bring the usual essentials for a sea day: swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a secure place for valuables. The boat has a shower and water equipment, but personal comfort items are still your responsibility.

Who should book this Dia Island cruise?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, and small groups who want a comfortable day with plenty included. It is especially suitable for people who like having choices. You can swim, snorkel, fish, paddle, eat, or do very little without feeling that you are wasting the day.

It also suits food-focused visitors who want more than a basic packed lunch. The choice of seafood, vegetarian, and meat main courses is useful for mixed groups, and the cheese, cold-cut, fruit, and dessert service adds a welcome touch.

The cruise may not suit someone seeking a private sailing experience, since the boat can carry up to 25 people. It may also disappoint anyone expecting cocktails to be included, a guaranteed sunset, or a sea scooter without advance booking.

Some departures may offer a different mood depending on the schedule. A 3:30 pm departure has been praised for its sunset over the sea, but you should confirm the exact departure time when booking rather than assume every cruise follows that schedule.

Should you book the EOS Yachts cruise?

Book it if you want a polished, food-centered day on the water and expect to use the equipment and open bar. The combination of a spacious catamaran, three hours at Dia, fresh lunch, and attentive English-speaking crew gives the experience real substance.

Skip it if your budget is tight, you only want a quick swim, or you prefer a fully private boat. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for turning a Heraklion day into a relaxed sea outing, with enough practical comfort to make the $145.18 price easier to justify.

FAQ

Where does the Dia Island cruise start?

The cruise starts at Cafe Marina, Leoforos Nearchou, Iraklio 712 02, Greece.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

How long do you stay at Dia Island?

The scheduled stop at Dia Island lasts about three hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a premium seafood Mediterranean menu with salads. Vegetarian and meat choices are also available.

What drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, local white wine, beer, coffee, and tea are included. Cocktails are available only upon request and are not included in the listed package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and swimming vests are included, along with SUP equipment, fishing gear, canoe board equipment, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of people can also result in a choice of a new date or a full refund.