Heraklion Luxury Catamaran Dia Isla -Gourmet Lunch Top Rated

The best part of this Heraklion cruise is the long stop at Dia Island, where you can swim in a quiet bay, paddle, snorkel, or simply stretch out on a modern catamaran while lunch cooks onboard. I like the restaurant-style meal prepared by chef Charis, and I like the generous equipment list, which includes SUP boards, canoe boards, fishing gear, inflatables, and good snorkeling gear.

The main consideration is timing. You spend about three hours and 15 minutes at Dia, but roughly two hours of the 5.5-hour outing are spent sailing to and from the island. If you want a full beach day or a long island walk, this is not it. It is a polished sea outing with a strong food and comfort angle.

Key points before you book

• Chef-prepared seafood lunch: Fresh Mediterranean food is cooked onboard, with chicken, vegetarian, and children’s options available if requested at least one day ahead.
• Three hours at Dia Island: The main stop gives you time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, canoeing, fishing, and sunbathing.
• Modern catamaran comfort: Expect shaded seating, a WC, shower, free Wi-Fi, and room to move around.
• Captain Thanasis and chef Charis: Their names come up often in the praise for the skipper’s sailing and Charis’s cooking.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• Useful for cruise passengers: The boat leaves from Heraklion Port and returns to the same meeting point, with optional transfers available by request.

Setting sail from Heraklion Port

You meet the EOS Yachts crew at the entrance to Marina Café in Heraklion Port. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. The catamaran leaves on time, so this is not the place for a last-minute coffee run.

The first part of the outing is easy and social. You receive coffee, cake, and Cretan delicacies, followed by a short safety briefing. That welcome matters because the crew explains how the boat works before you reach open water, leaving you free to settle in and enjoy the ride.

The route begins near Heraklion’s waterfront and the Rocca a Mare Fortress, better known as Koules. The fortress makes a fine photo stop, though the listed five minutes is enough for pictures rather than a proper visit. You see it from the water, not from inside its thick stone walls.

From there, the boat heads toward Dia Island. The crossing takes about an hour. The catamaran gives you a good platform for watching the Cretan coast recede, feeling the breeze, and taking photographs across the Aegean. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the movement feels gentlest and bring any medication you normally use. The supplied information does not promise perfectly calm seas.

Why Dia Island is the heart of the trip

Dia lies off the north coast of Crete and is tied to local myth. The island is said to have been shaped by Zeus, and the surrounding waters carry old Minoan and seafaring stories. You do not come here for a town, museum, or row of beach cafés. You come for the quiet coastline and water access.

The catamaran anchors in one of Dia’s bays, a spot reachable only by boat. The three-hour-and-15-minute stop gives the day its proper pace. You are not rushed through a ten-minute photo stop, and you are not left with endless unstructured time. There is enough room for several activities, followed by lunch and a second swim.

The water is described as clear and calm around the anchorage, which makes it well suited to families and casual swimmers. Swimming vests are included, along with snorkeling equipment. You might see fish around the seabed, but this is not sold as a specialist wildlife excursion, so keep expectations sensible.

The island also offers a simple change of scene. From the boat, you can admire the unspoiled coastline, take photographs, and, according to the experience details, walk part of an ancient Minoan path. The walk is an optional extra flavor, not a guided land tour, so bring sturdy enough footwear if you hope to step ashore or explore beyond the waterline.

Plenty to do without turning the day into a workout

I like the way EOS Yachts gives you choices. You can use the SUP boards, try the canoe equipment, fish from the boat, or float on the inflatables and swimming noodles. Nobody has to spend the whole stop in the water.

The range of gear is especially useful if you are traveling with a mixed group. One person can snorkel while another paddles, and someone else can remain in the shade with a drink. You do not need to pack your own snorkeling kit or flotation equipment.

A sea scooter is also available, but it is not part of the standard package. You must request it in advance, and priority is given in booking order. That detail is easy to miss, so make the request early if the scooter is important to you.

The crew also provides fishing gear. The information does not promise a catch or a dedicated fishing lesson, so treat this as a casual activity rather than a fishing charter. The same goes for wildlife spotting. Dolphins and seabirds may appear during the crossing, but sightings are never guaranteed.

The onboard lunch is a major reason to choose this cruise

Many boat trips treat lunch as an afterthought. This one makes food a central part of the outing. The main meal is a freshly prepared seafood-based Mediterranean menu, cooked onboard with local ingredients.

Chef Charis receives especially strong praise for dishes such as seafood and shrimp tempura risotto. The meal may also include gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts, followed by seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and raki. Exact dishes can change with the season and available ingredients.

The seafood menu is not your only choice. You can request chicken, vegetarian, or children’s meals, but you need to tell the reservation department at least one day before sailing. Do not wait until boarding if you have a firm dietary need.

Drinks are part of the price. You receive unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. Cocktails are extra and available by request. This setup is convenient because you do not need to carry a cooler or keep track of every bottle during the afternoon.

I would still ask about the day’s menu if food is a major priority. The details provided describe a premium seafood meal, but not a fixed list of dishes. That is normal for a boat kitchen using seasonal products, yet it means you should not book expecting one specific plate unless the company confirms it.

Comfort, shade, and the feel of the catamaran

The boat is new and designed for a relaxed day rather than a bare-bones transfer. The catamaran has shaded areas under sleek covers and tents, which is important in the strong Cretan sun. You can enjoy the water without spending every minute exposed to it.

There is a WC for men and women, a shower, and free Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi is handy for sending a few photos, though the best reason to have it is practical rather than glamorous. You can stay connected when needed, then put the phone away and watch the sea.

The spacious layout also helps during lunch and the return crossing. You are not confined to one narrow bench. The boat’s comfortable design is one of the strongest reasons to pay more than you would for a basic day boat.

That comfort comes with a small tradeoff: this is still a shared cruise, not a private yacht charter. The exact group size is not provided, so you should not assume an intimate sailing party simply because the boat feels spacious. If you want complete control over music, route, timing, and privacy, ask EOS Yachts about a private option.

The return sail and the changing light

After lunch and more time in the water, you sail back to Heraklion for about an hour. The return is a chance to dry off, enjoy a final drink, and watch the coastline from the opposite direction.

Depending on the departure time and season, the return may offer late-afternoon light or a sunset atmosphere. The timing is not fixed in the information provided, so check the available start times rather than assuming every departure is a sunset cruise.

The crew can add a personal touch to the day. Marios is praised for taking photographs, and one birthday passenger received a cake without having requested it. These details suggest a service style that pays attention to occasions, but I would still tell the company about a birthday or celebration in advance rather than rely on a surprise.

You return to Marina Café in Heraklion Port, the same place where you began. That makes the cruise practical for people staying in Heraklion and for cruise passengers with a suitable port call. Optional pickup and return transportation from a hotel or cruise ship can be arranged by request.

Is the $122 price good value?

At $122 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Dia Island. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: a modern catamaran, professional English-speaking crew, welcome food, a chef-prepared lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, SUPs, canoe equipment, inflatables, and onboard facilities.

A basic boat trip might get you to the island for less, but you could then pay separately for meals, drinks, equipment, and comfort. Here, the day is built around the whole package. The value is strongest if you plan to eat onboard, use the water equipment, and appreciate shade, space, and a WC.

The value is weaker if you only want transportation to Dia or if you do not drink alcohol and have little interest in the meal. You are paying for hospitality and a polished boat experience, not just nautical miles.

The high rating, supported by 68 submitted ratings at the time of the supplied information, reflects a consistent pattern of praise for the boat, food, skipper, and crew. I would give the most weight to the repeated comments about the freshly cooked meal and the catamaran’s spacious design, since those are the parts most likely to affect your decision.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, food-focused visitors, and anyone who wants a comfortable day on the water without arranging every detail separately. It also suits a group with different energy levels because you can paddle, snorkel, fish, swim, or stay dry.

It is a good choice for a special occasion. The crew has made an effort with birthdays, and the setting gives you photographs and sunset possibilities that a standard harbor cruise cannot match.

You should think twice if you dislike shared activities, need a very quiet private setting, or want a serious hiking day on Dia. The island portion is centered on the bay and water activities. The boat spends about an hour each way in transit, which is part of the pleasure for some people and dead time for others.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, and water. Pets are not allowed, and smoking indoors is prohibited. Most important, provide every participant’s full name, passport or ID number, date of birth, nationality, and gender as required by Greek naval regulations.

Should you book the EOS Yachts cruise?

I would book this if I wanted Dia Island with excellent food and real onboard comfort, rather than a simple transport boat. The chef-prepared lunch, shaded deck, open bar, and broad choice of water equipment give the day more substance than a quick swim stop.

Book it with the right expectations. You get a shared 5.5-hour cruise, not a private expedition, and the sea conditions can affect the feel of any sailing day. Request your meal choice and sea scooter at least one day ahead, arrive 15 minutes early, and choose a departure time that matches your interest in afternoon light or sunset.

The cruise is a particularly strong pick for a Heraklion port day, a birthday, or a relaxed couple’s outing. If your ideal Crete experience is a long, quiet meal followed by clear water, an uncrowded bay, and a comfortable sail home, this one earns its place on your shortlist.

FAQ

How long does the Dia Island catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours. Check availability for the departure times offered on your chosen date.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

You meet the EOS Yachts crew at the entrance to Marina Café in Heraklion Port. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. The cruise leaves exactly at its planned time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Mediterranean seafood lunch is included, along with gourmet cheese and cold-cut platters, seasonal fruit, a local Cretan dessert, and raki.

Are vegetarian or meat meals available?

Yes. Chicken, vegetarian, and children’s menu options are available. Request an alternative at least one day before departure.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails are available by request at an additional cost.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, swimming vests, fishing equipment, SUPs, canoe boards, inflatables, and swimming noodles are included. Sea scooters require advance booking and are not included in the standard package.