Private Sailing Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

A Minoan port lies underwater off Dia's southern coast, sunk by the Santorini eruption of 1450 BC.

A private sailing cruise from Heraklion to Dia island, a small uninhabited island north of Crete accessible only by boat. You swim and snorkel in clear waters above ancient harbor ruins, explore the island's four quiet bays, and relax on deck while the crew serves lunch and drinks. The boat operates in English and Greek, and you choose between a half-day morning or sunset departure, or a full-day option.

The experience

What makes Dia worth the sail? The island sits surrounded by rocky inlets and four sheltered bays (Agios Georgios, Kapari, Panagia and Agrielia) each one quiet enough that you can anchor and slip into the water without crowds. The real draw is what lies beneath: Jacques Cousteau's team discovered evidence in the 1970s that one of Crete's most important Minoan ports once stood here, destroyed when Santorini erupted around 1450 BC. You snorkel over those submerged ruins, and the crew provides snorkeling gear so you're ready the moment the boat drops anchor.

The day unfolds at your own pace. Swim and dive in the clear water, walk the island itself if you want solid ground, or stay on deck with a book and let the Cretan breeze do the work. A meal and drinks arrive as part of the package (lunch on the full-day cruise, snacks and refreshments on the half-day options), so you're not hunting for food or watching the clock. Because the boat is private, you're not sharing the bays with other tour groups. The only people on board are the ones you came with.

You pick the timing that fits your trip: a morning half-day, a sunset half-day, or a full-day cruise that covers more of the island and its bays. The boat leaves from Heraklion and the journey takes six hours on the full-day option. A guide speaks English and Greek throughout, and the crew handles all the sailing while you handle the swimming.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard.
• bottled water, sodas, fruits and snacks.
• lunch on the full-day cruise.
• alcoholic beverages.
• a live guide in English and Greek throughout the day.

Options for this experience

3 options

Sunset cruise lasting half a dayGuide in English or Greek · 15:00Lasts 4 hours and 30 minutes, with snacks, wine and soft drinks

Half Day CruisesGuide in English or Greek · 09:30 and 15:00Lasts 4 hours and 30 minutes, with snacks, wine and soft drinks

Full Day (Morning/Sunset)Guide in English or Greek · 09:00Lasts 6 hours, with lunch, wine and soft drinks included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 15:00Last departure this season: 15 Nov

GroupPrivate

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.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Avanti Sailing

Is this one for you?Choose the half-day morning cruise if you want to fit Dia into a day with other plans in Heraklion, or the sunset half-day if you prefer to sail in the late afternoon light. The full-day option gives you time to explore all four bays and spend longer in the water over the submerged ruins.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

24 verified traveler reviews

5 ★24

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

What is Dia island like when you get there?

Dia is uninhabited and ringed by small rocky inlets, with four main bays on the southern side where boats anchor. The island was home to a major Minoan port settlement around the bay of Agios Georgios, and underwater discoveries have revealed harbor structures that sank during the 1450 BC eruption of Santorini. You can walk the island itself or stay on the water. Either way, the ruins lie just below the surface where you snorkel.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included with your cruise, so you don't need to bring your own or rent it separately. The crew provides what you need to explore the underwater harbor ruins and the clear waters around the bays.

What's the difference between the half-day and full-day options?

The half-day cruises (morning or sunset) give you a shorter window on the water with snacks and drinks. The full-day cruise covers more of Dia's bays and includes a full lunch aboard. All three options are private, include snorkeling gear and refreshments, and operate in English and Greek.

Can I bring my own food or drinks?

Meals and drinks are provided as part of your cruise package, so you don't need to pack a lunch. Bottled water, sodas, fruits, snacks and alcoholic beverages are all included depending on which option you book.

Is this cruise suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The cruise is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You can swim and snorkel at your own pace, or stay on deck and relax while others are in the water. The crew is there throughout, and you're on a private boat with people you know, so you set the terms of how much time you spend in the water.