Catamaran cruise Heraklion to Dia Island with dinner and sunset

The catamaran crew prepares a fresh Mediterranean meal while you're still in the water.

A five-hour afternoon catamaran cruise from Heraklion to the uninhabited Dia Island, where you swim, paddleboard, snorkel and try water slides in a sheltered bay, then return to port watching the sunset over the Cretan Sea. The boat includes a nutritionist-designed dinner with organic local produce, unlimited drinks, and a professional English-speaking crew. Hotel transfers can be arranged on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon Catamaran Cruise and Activities

• Welcome on board at 15:30
• Sail to Dia Island
• Swim and enjoy water activities
• Eat Mediterranean lunch onboard
• Relax and sunbathe on deck
• Watch sunset over the sea
• Return to port by 20:30

The experience

You board at Heraklion port at 3:30 PM and sail to Dia Island's bay, arriving by 4:30 PM with the afternoon still ahead. The water activities start immediately: an inflatable slide, sea scooter, kayak, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear and fishing tackle are all set up and ready. You can jump from the boat, float on noodles, paddle out on a SUP board, or stay in the shallows with a mask and fins. The crew hands out life jackets and swimming jackets as needed, and an inflatable flamingo floats nearby for photos. There's no schedule pressure here. You move between the water and the boat deck as you want, with music playing and free Wi-Fi if you need it.

At 6 PM the crew serves lunch onboard: a Mediterranean meal built around organic vegetables and proteins from Cretan farms, designed by a nutritionist. Unlimited drinks flow throughout (water, soft drinks, local beer, white wine), and they keep coming as you eat and lounge on the sunbeds and shaded areas of the deck. You have another hour and a half on the island after eating, so some travelers swim again, others stay on deck, and some fish with the provided gear. At 7:30 PM the boat departs for the return journey, and the sunset happens on the water as you head back to Heraklion, arriving at port by 8:30 PM.

The catamaran is modern and built for comfort, with an outdoor shower and onboard toilet. The crew speaks English and Greek, and they know the bay well enough to adjust the day if weather shifts. If you're booking one of the transfer options (from Agia Pelagia, Sissi, Agios Nikolaos or other nearby towns), the pickup is arranged separately and timed to get you to the port in time. The afternoon and private morning versions run the same itinerary on different schedules. The private cruises are smaller groups.

What’s included

• Catamaran transport from Heraklion to Dia Island and back.
• all water activity equipment (snorkeling gear, paddleboards, sea scooter, kayak, inflatable slide, noodles, fishing tackle).
• Mediterranean lunch with organic local produce.
• unlimited drinks (water, soft drinks, beer, white wine).
• life jackets and swimming jackets.
• outdoor shower and onboard toilet.
• free Wi-Fi and onboard music.
• professional English-speaking crew.
• liability insurance.

Options for this experience

8 options

Afternoon Cruise HeraklionGuide in English or Greek · 15:00 and 15:30Without transfer

Morning Cruise HeraklionGuide in English or Greek · 09:30Without transfer

With Transfer Heraklion-AmmoudaraGuide in English or Greek · 15:00

See 5 more options

With Transfer Agia Pelagia-MaliaGuide in English or Greek · 15:00Gouves, Analipsi and Kokkini Xani

With Transfer Sissi-MilatosGuide in English or Greek · 15:00

With Transfer Agios NikolaosGuide in English or Greek · 15:00Elounda, Plaka and Ammoudara Ag.

Private Afternoon CruiseGuide in English or Greek · 15:00 and 15:30

Private Morning CruiseGuide in English or Greek · 09:30

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday and SaturdayDepartures at 09:30, 15:00 and 15:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (under 10)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by DanEri Yachts - Luxury Catamaran Cruises on Crete & Milos, Greece

Is this one for you?Book the afternoon departure if you're arriving in Heraklion with a free afternoon and want to swim and eat without an early start. Choose the morning cruise if you prefer to be back by early afternoon, or pick one of the transfer options if your hotel is outside Heraklion and you'd rather not drive to the port yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 10).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What water activities can I do at Dia Island?

Dia Island bay has an inflatable water slide, sea scooter, kayak, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear with masks and fins, and fishing tackle. You can also swim freely from the boat or float on inflatable noodles.

Is the meal included in the cruise price?

Yes, lunch is included. A Mediterranean meal made with organic produce from local Cretan farms and designed by a nutritionist. Unlimited drinks (water, soft drinks, beer, white wine) are also included throughout the afternoon.

What time does the afternoon cruise leave Heraklion, and when do we return?

The afternoon cruise boards at 3:30 PM and returns to Heraklion port by 8:30 PM, giving you five hours on and around Dia Island.

Can I arrange a hotel transfer to the port?

Hotel transfers are not included in the standard cruise price but can be arranged on request when you book. Several transfer options are also available as separate purchase choices, departing from nearby towns like Agia Pelagia, Sissi and Agios Nikolaos.

What's included in the price besides the meal and drinks?

The cruise includes all water activity equipment (snorkeling gear, paddleboards, sea scooter, kayak, inflatable slide), life jackets, an outdoor shower and toilet onboard, free Wi-Fi, music, and a professional English-speaking crew. A branded gift is available for special occasions if you inform the crew in advance.