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

Dia Island is the star here, but the real pleasure is having three relaxed hours in its quiet bay with a catamaran full of useful gear. You can snorkel, paddle a SUP, fish, float on a noodle, or simply stretch out with a plate of fresh food and a drink.

I like the fresh onboard cooking and the genuinely broad all-inclusive setup. Lunch includes seafood, vegetarian, and meat options, while the bar covers water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. I also like the small maximum group of 25, which should feel far less crowded than a large boat excursion.

The main consideration is price: at about $145 per person, this is not a cheap way to reach Dia Island. You are paying for the catamaran, food, equipment, crew, and open bar, so it makes the most sense if you plan to use several of those extras rather than only swim for an hour.

Key points to know before booking

• Three hours at Dia Island: Most of the day is spent in the peaceful bay, with time for swimming, snorkeling, SUP boarding, canoeing, fishing, and floating.
• Fresh food cooked onboard: Choose seafood risotto with tempura shrimp, spinach lasagna, or chicken lasagna, all served with fresh salads.
• Open bar with clear limits: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails cost extra and must be requested.
• Small-group catamaran: The maximum is 25 people, a useful size for moving around the boat and getting help from the English-speaking crew.
• Equipment is included: Snorkel gear, swimming vests, SUP boards, fishing equipment, canoe equipment, sea toys, and noodles are supplied.
• Weather matters: If conditions are poor or the minimum number is not reached, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Sailing from Heraklion to Dia Island

You meet at Cafe Marina on Leof. Nearchou in Heraklion, then return to the same place at the end. The departure point is near public transportation, but private pickup is not included. You can request a transfer separately if you do not want to make your own way to the marina.

The total outing lasts about five and a half hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day on the water without becoming an exhausting full-day charter. The published stop at Dia lasts about three hours, leaving the rest of the time for boarding, sailing, anchoring, serving food, and returning to Heraklion.

The boat is a luxury catamaran operated by Eos Yachts. The maximum group size is 25, which gives the experience a more personal feel than a large sightseeing vessel. It also matters when you want a snorkel vest, a paddleboard, or a quiet corner for lunch. There are separate onboard toilets for men and women, a shower, and free WiFi.

The crew is described as professional, qualified, certified, and English-speaking. The strongest praise focuses on the captain, chef, and assistant working together: the captain handles the boat and anchoring, while the service team keeps food and drinks moving. No individual crew names are provided, so do not expect a named-guide experience.

Three hours in Dia Island’s peaceful bay

The boat anchors in a sheltered bay at Dia Island, where the water is described as turquoise and calm. This is not a land-based island tour with a long list of monuments. The attraction is the setting, the swim, and the freedom to use the boat as your base.

You can enter the water for a swim, put on the supplied snorkeling gear, or try stand-up paddleboarding. Fishing equipment, canoe equipment, inflatable toys, and swimming noodles are also available. Swimming vests are included, which is useful if you want water time without feeling confident in open water.

The snorkeling gear is a practical inclusion. You do not need to pack fins, a mask, or a flotation vest, although you may still prefer to bring your own mask if fit is important to you. The information does not promise a particular marine life sighting, so treat snorkeling as a pleasant water activity rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

SUP boards give the stop a little more variety. You can paddle close to the boat and shore, then return for a drink or snack. The canoe equipment and inflatables make the water time suitable for people who would rather play and float than swim continuously.

The boat’s anchoring point matters. A good position close to shore means you can see the bay from the water and spend less time waiting to reach the swimming area. Exact anchoring locations can change with wind and sea conditions, so the crew’s judgment will shape the day.

A seafood lunch prepared on the catamaran

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise instead of a basic boat ride. Lunch is prepared onboard with local ingredients, and every main course comes with fresh salads. That means you are not relying only on packaged snacks while spending hours in the sun.

The seafood choice combines sea garden risotto with kantaifi-wrapped tempura shrimp. The risotto gives you a filling main course, while the shrimp add a crisp element. If you prefer meat-free food, the spinach lasagna uses layers of pasta, spinach, and béchamel in a Mediterranean-style dish.

The meat option is a chicken lasagna with mushrooms and colorful bell peppers. It is described as a moussaka-inspired dish, so expect a hearty, familiar plate rather than a very light meal. You select from the available options when reserving the cruise, which is important if you have a strong preference.

Food is served across the outing rather than all at once. You receive welcome coffee and Cretan delicacies early on, gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts, seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and other snacks. This pacing works well on a boat because you can eat a little, swim, then return for more.

I would still tell you to check your selected meal option carefully when booking. The menu information lists seafood, vegetarian, and meat choices, but it does not provide details about allergies, gluten-free meals, or vegan substitutions. Ask before paying if you have dietary restrictions.

What the open bar really includes

The open bar adds real value if you plan to stay aboard for several hours. Included drinks are water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. You can have a cold drink after swimming, a glass of wine with lunch, or something nonalcoholic while using the water equipment.

Cocktails are not part of the standard package. They are available on request at an additional cost, so do not book this expecting a cocktail package. The minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages is 18.

Because alcohol is included, you may want to pace yourself. Swimming, paddling, and strong sun are a poor mix with too much wine or beer. The boat provides water, and using it regularly is the sensible choice.

The open bar is most valuable for people who would otherwise buy lunch, snacks, and several drinks separately. If you do not drink alcohol and plan to spend the whole stop in the water, the food and equipment matter more than the bar itself.

Is $145 good value?

At $145.18 per person, this cruise sits in the premium range for a half-day boat outing. I would not call it a bargain in the simple transport sense. You are not paying only for a ride to Dia Island and back.

The package includes a luxury catamaran, a certified crew, three hours at the island, a fresh prepared lunch, brunch-style platters, fruit, dessert, snacks, coffee, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, SUP boards, fishing gear, canoe equipment, flotation toys, a shower, toilets, and WiFi.

That list has value if you use it. A couple who wants good food, several drinks, and a polished boat day may find the price fair. A family that will use the SUPs, noodles, snorkel gear, and snacks can also get more from the package than from a simple sailing transfer.

The price is harder to justify if your main aim is to reach Dia Island and swim briefly. In that case, a less expensive boat trip may suit you better, assuming one is available for your dates. This experience is built around comfort and service, not bare-bones transportation.

The maximum of 25 helps protect the value. You have more room than you would on a packed boat, and the crew has a manageable number of people to serve. It is still a shared cruise, not a private charter, so do not expect the entire catamaran to be yours.

Choosing the best time of day

One booking used a 3:30 pm departure and caught a sunset at sea. That timing can give the cruise a special finish, especially if you enjoy warm evening light and a slower return. A sunset is not guaranteed for every departure, so check the available time before booking if this is important to you.

A daytime departure may suit you better if swimming and snorkeling are your priorities. You will have more useful light for water activities, and the schedule may feel less tied to the end of the day.

The exact timing is not supplied for every departure option, so check the reservation details closely. Ask how much time is planned at Dia, when lunch is served, and whether your selected departure returns after sunset.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to couples looking for a comfortable sea day, families who want several water activities in one place, and anyone who values food and service as much as the destination. It also works well for people staying in Heraklion who want to get away from the city without committing to a full day at sea.

The variety helps mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can fish, another can paddle a SUP, and someone else can stay on deck with a book and a plate of fruit. That flexibility is more useful than a tightly scheduled list of stops.

It may be less suitable if you dislike boats, need a completely private setting, or want a cultural tour with ruins and guided walking. Dia Island is presented here as a peaceful sea stop, not as an archaeological or village visit.

The experience is described as suitable for most people, but the details do not explain step-free boarding, assistance for mobility limitations, or specific arrangements for children. If you need those services, contact Eos Yachts before booking.

Practical details for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes. The boat has a shower and swimming equipment, but the supplied information does not specify towel provision, so bringing your own towel is a sensible precaution.

Wear something comfortable for the ride and keep valuables in a secure bag. The catamaran has free WiFi, but the best reason to be on the water is to look up from your phone now and then.

Private pickup and transfers are not included. Plan your route to Cafe Marina on Leof. Nearchou in Heraklion, and remember that the cruise finishes back at the same meeting point.

Sea scooters are not standard equipment. You can request one in advance, and priority is given in booking order. If this is a must-have, arrange it early rather than waiting until the day of departure.

The cruise depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If weather forces cancellation, or the minimum is not reached, you can move to another date or choose another experience or receive a full refund. Standard cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Dia Island catamaran?

Book this cruise if you want a polished half-day at sea, a proper meal, and enough equipment to keep you active or relaxed. The fresh food, generous drink package, small maximum group, and three-hour stop at Dia make it much more than a simple island transfer.

Skip it if you are counting every euro, do not care about onboard meals or drinks, or want a private boat. At $145.18, the experience earns its price through the combination of comfort, service, food, and activities. Use those inclusions, and it can be a very good day from Heraklion.

FAQ

Where does the Dia Island catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at Cafe Marina on Leof. Nearchou in Heraklion, Crete. It returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

How long does the cruise last?

The total experience lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes. About three hours are scheduled at Dia Island.

What food is included?

You receive welcome coffee with Cretan delicacies, gourmet platters with cheeses and cold cuts, seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, snacks, and a freshly prepared lunch with salad. Main-course choices include seafood risotto with tempura shrimp, spinach lasagna, and chicken lasagna.

Which drinks are included?

The all-inclusive bar provides water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Alcoholic drinks are available to people aged 18 and over. Cocktails are available only on request and are not part of the standard package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, SUP boards, fishing gear, canoe equipment, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles are included. A sea scooter requires advance booking and is not included as standard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.