Greece » Crete

Crete: Dia Island Sailing Trip with Lunch & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.79 (199 reviews) 87% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/17

Duration4h 30m

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Sail to dia island for swimming snorkeling and lunch from heraklion

You’ll sail from Heraklion to Dia island with a small group and friendly local crew. Swim or snorkel in crystal-clear bays, watch for wildlife, then relax with an organic Cretan lunch served right on deck. It’s a day that lingers in your mind—the kind where you forget your phone exists for hours.

4h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Meet crew at Old Venetian port
Receive safety and boat handling briefing
Set sail to Dia Island
Anchor at Agios Georgios or Panagia bay
Swim, snorkel, or sunbathe for 1.5 hours
Enjoy cool refreshments and seasonal fruit
Have organic local lunch on board
Set sail back to Heraklion port
Watch for dolphins during return trip

The Experience

Ever wondered what it feels like to drift away from Heraklion, just the sound of the sails and that salty breeze? We met our crew at the Old Venetian port—honestly, I was a little nervous about being on a yacht, but they were all smiles, showing us how to move around safely. The city faded behind us pretty quick. It’s almost an hour out to Dia island, but time sort of blurs when you’re watching the coastline shrink and someone’s laughing about how awkward you look in a life jacket (thanks, Giorgos).

The first thing I noticed at Dia wasn’t even the water—it was this silence. No cars, no crowds, just wind and a few birds. Our guide pointed out some wild goats up on the rocks (I never did spot one), and told us about how Dia is protected for its wildlife. When we anchored at Agios Georgios bay, I dipped my toes overboard—water so clear you could see tiny fish darting around your feet. Snorkeling felt surreal; I kept losing track of time chasing after shimmery blue flashes under the surface.

Lunch was honestly better than I expected—fresh tomatoes, something with feta and olive oil that tasted like sunshine, all laid out on deck with cold drinks. There was this moment where everyone just went quiet for a second chewing on watermelon and staring at the green-blue water (maybe we were all thinking the same thing: how do you go back to regular lunch after this?). On the way back, someone thought they saw dolphins—I missed them because I was busy trying not to spill wine on myself as the boat rocked. So yeah, next time I’ll keep my eyes peeled.

What’s included

Your day includes free hotel pickup within 10km of Heraklion port, certified local crew guiding you throughout, all safety gear plus snorkeling equipment and SUP boards if you want them. Drinks flow freely—water, soft drinks or wine—and there’s a fresh organic Cretan lunch served right onboard before heading back toward town in the afternoon.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Altersail