Snorkeling in Dia Island from Heraklion: Sailing Cruise with Meal
Six miles of open water, then an uninhabited island where ancient Minoan ruins sometimes surface on the beach.
A private sailing cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island includes snorkeling, paddle boarding and fishing equipment, a swim stop in the bay, and a three-course meal served on deck. The yacht departs the Old Venetian port, sails for an hour across open water, anchors in the bay of Saint George, and returns after roughly five and a half hours. A live English-speaking guide is on board.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Sail to Dia Island and enjoy activities
- Depart from Heraklion Old Venetian port
- Sail 1 hour to Dia Island
- Anchor in Saint George bay
- Enjoy snorkeling, fishing, paddle boarding
- Have Greek salad and appetizers
- Eat shrimp linguini main course
- Drink wine, beer, or soft drinks
- Eat tropical and local fruit salad
- Relax on yacht or swim
- Sail back to Heraklion
The experience
The boat leaves Heraklion's Old Venetian port and sails north for an hour to reach Dia, an uninhabited island six miles offshore with a documented history stretching back to the Minoan civilization. The bay where you anchor, Saint George, once held an ancient Minoan port. Archaeologists have found artifacts on the seafloor there. The island itself is home to kri-kri goats, rabbits and hawks, and dolphins sometimes appear during the crossing. A small Christian church of Aegean architecture stands on the island now.
Once anchored, you have the water to yourself. Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddle boards and fishing gear are all available on request: the crew hands them over and you decide what to do. The paddle boards stay ashore if wind picks up, a safety measure the operator enforces. You swim, explore the bay floor, cast a line or paddle depending on conditions and what appeals to you that day. There's no fixed schedule for this part. You move at your own pace until the meal is ready.
About an hour into the water time, the crew serves lunch on deck: Greek salad, several appetizers, and shrimp linguini as the main course (vegetarian and gluten-free versions are available on request). Wine, beer, iced tea and soft drinks accompany the meal. Thirty minutes later, a fruit salad of tropical and local fruits arrives. After you eat, you have a final stretch of time to relax on the yacht or swim before the sail back to Heraklion begins. The whole outing runs five and a half hours from start to finish.
What’s included
- Snorkeling equipment and fishing gear.
- stand-up paddle boards (weather permitting).
- Greek salad, appetizers, shrimp linguini with vegetarian and gluten-free options, and tropical fruit salad.
- wine, beer, iced tea and soft drinks.
- a swim stop in the bay.
- onboard restroom.
- coffee and tea.
- fuel and all fees and taxes.
Options for this experience
2 optionsBefore you book
Lasts 5h 30m, from € 790 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated today
Operated by Cretan Sailing Cruises
Is this one for you?Choose the option with pickup and drop-off included if you're traveling without a car in Heraklion. The boat departs from the Old Venetian port, which is reachable by public transport but easier to reach by transfer. If you're comfortable getting to the port on your own, the option without pickup saves money.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
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 is Dia Island actually like when you get there?
Dia is an uninhabited island six miles north of Heraklion with wild scenery and crystal waters. The bay of Saint George, where the yacht anchors, was the site of an ancient Minoan port destroyed centuries ago. Artifacts sometimes surface on the seafloor. The island now has a small Christian church and is home to kri-kri goats, rabbits, hawks and other wildlife. Dolphins are occasionally spotted during the sail out.
Can I choose which water activities to do, or is there a set schedule?
You choose. Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddle boards and fishing gear are all available on request from the crew, and you use whichever appeals to you during the swim stop. Paddle boards are not available if wind conditions are rough, for safety reasons. There's no fixed itinerary for this part of the day. You move at your own pace in the bay.
What does the meal include?
Lunch consists of Greek salad, several appetizers, and shrimp linguini as the main course, served on deck about an hour after you arrive at the island. Vegetarian and gluten-free versions of the main course are available on request. Wine, beer, iced tea and soft drinks are included. Thirty minutes after the main course, the crew serves a fruit salad of tropical and local fruits.
How long is the sailing time each way?
The sail from Heraklion's Old Venetian port to Dia takes about an hour. After the swim stop and meal, the return journey takes roughly the same time. The entire outing is five and a half hours from departure to arrival back at the port.
Is a guide included?
Yes, a live English-speaking guide is on board throughout the cruise.
Do I need to arrange my own transport to the port?
Pickup and drop-off are included in one booking option and excluded in the other. You choose which at checkout. Public transportation options are available near the port if you opt out of the included transfer.
Snorkeling in Dia Island from Heraklion: Sailing Cruise with Meal
5h 30m · EN
from € 790 per group