Heraklion Luxury Catamaran Dia Isla -Gourmet Lunch Top Rated

Dia Island is the star here, but the chef-prepared lunch and polished catamaran make the journey just as appealing as the destination. You sail from Heraklion past Koules Fortress, then spend about three hours in a quiet bay with time for swimming, snorkeling, SUP, canoeing, fishing, and sunbathing. I especially like the mix of proper onboard cooking and easy water activities. The spacious boat also has shaded areas, a WC, shower, and Wi-Fi.

The main consideration is timing. This is a half-day at sea, not a quick sightseeing cruise, and departure is exact. The seafood menu suits many people, but you need to request chicken, vegetarian, or children’s food at least a day ahead. Sea scooters are also an extra, limited by advance booking.

At a glance

• Chef Charis cooks onboard: Expect a freshly prepared Mediterranean meal rather than a basic buffet, with seafood, meat, and vegetarian choices available by request.
• Dia Island gives you real water time: About 3.25 hours are set aside for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, canoeing, fishing, and relaxing.
• Skipper Thanasis brings sailing experience: The crew includes certified English-speaking professionals, with service built around comfort and safety.
• A modern catamaran handles comfort well: You get shaded seating, open space, a WC for men and women, shower, Wi-Fi, and swimming equipment.
• The price covers more than the boat ride: At $122 per person, lunch, snacks, dessert, wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and water equipment are included.
• The return can be especially scenic: Depending on the schedule and light, the sail back toward Heraklion may include sunset views and photographs by crew member Marios.

Sailing from Heraklion beneath Koules Fortress

Your meeting point is Marina Café at Heraklion Port. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, since the catamaran leaves on schedule. A member of the EOS Yachts crew meets you at the café entrance and walks you to the boat.

The first part of the experience is pleasantly local. You receive coffee, cake, and Cretan delicacies while the crew explains the safety rules. There are also platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts, so you are not waiting for lunch with an empty stomach.

The boat passes Rocca a Mare, better known as Koules Fortress, near the mouth of Heraklion’s old harbor. The stop is brief, about five minutes, but it gives you a strong opening photograph and a useful sense of place. You do not get a long fortress visit, of course. This is a photo stop from the water, not a shore excursion.

After that, the catamaran heads out toward Dia Island. The crossing takes roughly an hour. This is your chance to settle into the boat, find a shaded seat, and watch the Cretan coast fade behind you. Keep your camera ready for open Aegean views, seabirds, and, if luck cooperates, dolphins.

Why the catamaran matters

A catamaran is a good match for this sort of day because it gives you room to spread out. The EOS boat is described as new, spacious, and modern, with black shade structures and covered areas that matter on a bright Greek day. You can enjoy the sun without being forced to sit in it for five hours.

The layout also makes the trip work for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head for the water, while anyone who prefers a slower pace can stay aboard, use the inflatables, or simply enjoy the view. Families, couples, and groups booking a private event can all find their own rhythm.

Comfort is not just cosmetic here. A WC, shower, free Wi-Fi, swimming vests, and quality snorkeling equipment mean you do not need to pack a boatload of gear. Bring your own towel, swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, camera, and drinking water, but the core water equipment is supplied.

The open bar includes unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Cocktails are not included, though they can be arranged on request. The tone is more polished sailing day than party boat, which will appeal to you if you want a calm outing with good food and room to breathe.

Three hours in Dia Island’s quiet bay

The main stop at Dia lasts about 3.25 hours. That is the part of the day that justifies the cost. You are not rushed through a ten-minute swim before being called back aboard. There is enough time to try several activities, eat lunch, and still have a little space to do nothing.

Dia is linked with Greek myth and is said to have been shaped by Zeus. The island’s appeal, though, is very practical: its secluded bays are reached by boat, and the water is suited to swimming and snorkeling. The coast is unspoiled, and the surrounding Aegean views give the stop a sense of escape from Heraklion.

The snorkeling is a good option for beginners and casual swimmers because masks, equipment, and swimming vests are provided. The seabed is described as full of life, though you should treat this as a nature outing rather than a guaranteed wildlife show. Conditions, visibility, and marine life change from day to day.

For something more active, take a stand-up paddleboard or canoe board into the bay. Fishing gear and inflatable sea toys are also available. The range of choices is useful because you can switch activities instead of spending the entire stop doing only one thing.

A few people may want to walk part of the island, and the ancient Minoan path has been used by some on this cruise. Still, the core experience is on and around the boat. Do not book this expecting a substantial land tour of Dia.

A real lunch, not just boat snacks

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a cheaper sailing trip. Chef Charis prepares the main meal onboard using local ingredients, and the menu is built around Mediterranean flavors. The seafood option is the standard choice, with dishes such as shrimp tempura risotto mentioned as a highlight.

The meal is served with wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Afterward, you get seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki. Earlier platters of cheese and cold cuts, plus the welcome cake and Cretan treats, make the food program feel like a full part of the trip rather than an afterthought.

You should arrange dietary preferences at least one day before departure. Meat, vegetarian, and children’s menus are available. One especially useful detail is that the kitchen can show flexibility, but you should not rely on a last-minute change. A meat risotto was prepared for one couple who had not requested a change, yet advance notice is the sensible approach.

This is still a boat lunch. You are eating at sea, not in a formal restaurant with a long menu. But if you care about food and want more than prepackaged sandwiches, the onboard chef is a major advantage.

The return sail and sunset light

After lunch and more time in the water, the boat turns back toward Heraklion. The return crossing takes about an hour, giving you a final stretch to dry off, relax, and watch the sea.

The light can be especially good later in the day. Some departures are described as sunset cruises, and the golden return views are a natural time for photographs. Crew member Marios has taken photos for the group, which can be a nice extra if you want a few images of the day without constantly handling your own camera.

The return is also when you will notice the practical value of a comfortable boat. After swimming and eating, you may want a shaded seat, a shower, or simply room to stretch out. A cramped vessel can make the last hour feel long. This catamaran’s space and facilities help avoid that problem.

Weather remains a real factor. One birthday outing was excellent but affected by cooler conditions. Bring a light layer if the forecast is uncertain, especially for the ride back. The crew can provide a safe and pleasant trip, but no boat operator can guarantee warm air, calm seas, dolphins, or a perfect sunset.

What the $122 price really covers

At $122 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Dia Island. The value depends on how much of the package you will use.

You are paying for a 5.5-hour outing on a new luxury catamaran, a professional crew, welcome refreshments, substantial food, an open bar, snorkeling gear, swimming vests, fishing equipment, SUPs, canoe boards, inflatables, and onboard facilities. Lunch alone is more meaningful here than on many standard excursions because it is cooked aboard by a chef.

The price also includes the experience of having several choices during the island stop. If you plan to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, drink wine, and eat a good meal, the inclusions add up quickly. If you only want a short boat ride and a quick photograph of Dia, you would probably find a simpler cruise better value.

Private transportation is not included, though transfer service from a hotel or cruise ship can be requested. This matters if you are staying outside central Heraklion or arriving during a cruise stop. Confirm the transfer arrangement after booking rather than assuming it is part of the base price.

The reserve-now, pay-later option and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure give you some flexibility. The more important booking detail is the passenger information required under Greek naval rules: full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender for every person in your party.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a polished day on the water but still want active options. Couples can enjoy the food and sunset, families can use the swimming equipment and gentle water toys, and friends can divide their time between paddleboards, snorkeling, and the open bar.

It is also a good choice for a Heraklion cruise stop. The meeting point is at the port, the duration fits a half-day plan, and the boat returns to the same meeting point. You must allow enough time before your ship’s departure, though. The catamaran leaves exactly on schedule, and the operator does not describe this as a private ship transfer guarantee.

Food-focused visitors should pay attention to the menu request deadline. The regular meal is seafood-based, but chicken, vegetarian, and children’s meals are available with notice.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, get seasick, or want a long walk on Dia Island. Most of the day is spent sailing or around the catamaran. The island is the setting for the experience, not a place where you spend hours touring ancient ruins.

The cruise is also not designed for indoor smoking, and pets are not allowed. Those are small points, but they matter when you are committing to a half-day on one boat.

Should you book the EOS Yachts catamaran?

Book it if you want food, comfort, and genuine water time in one outing. The strongest reasons are the chef-prepared lunch, the roomy new catamaran, and the unusually broad choice of included activities. Skipper Thanasis and the crew add a professional touch, while Charis’s cooking gives the day a clear identity.

Skip it if your priority is the lowest possible price, a long land visit on Dia, or a short harbor cruise. At $122, the value comes from using the full package. Swim, try a board, eat lunch, enjoy the bar, and make time for the return views. If that sounds like your kind of Cretan day, this is an easy one to put near the top of your list.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts 5.5 hours. The route includes about one hour sailing to Dia Island, about 3.25 hours at the island, and about one hour returning to Heraklion.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

You meet the EOS Yachts crew at the entrance of Marina Café in Heraklion Port. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive welcome coffee, Cretan delicacies, cheese and cold-cut platters, a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch, seasonal fruit, a local dessert, and raki. Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included.

Can I request a vegetarian or meat meal?

Yes. Meat, vegetarian, and children’s menus are available. You should inform the reservation department at least one day before departure.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Is hotel or cruise ship transportation included?

Private transportation is not included in the listed price. Transfer service to and from your hotel or cruise ship can be requested after booking.