Heraklion: Dia Catamaran Tour – Lunch, Open Bar & Snorkeling

Dia Island is best seen from the water, and this five-hour catamaran cruise gives you a comfortable way to reach its quiet bays without giving up the pleasures of a proper lunch. You sail from Heraklion, swim and snorkel off the boat, then return with the sea spread around you.

I especially like the spacious, clean boat and the care put into the meal. The crew includes Red Cross-certified staff, and names associated with the team include Captain Giannis, Gianna, Konstantinos, and Joana. The main consideration is price: at $141 per person, this is not a cheap ferry ride, though the food, open bar, equipment, and small-group feel add real value.

Key points

• A 20-person catamaran: The limited capacity keeps the day more personal than a large excursion boat.
• A full water kit: Use snorkeling gear, SUP boards, fishing equipment, life jackets, arm floaties, and inflatables at no extra charge.
• Lunch cooked onboard: Expect salads, hot seafood and meat dishes, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options by request, plus dessert.
• Family-friendly setup: A box of toys, child-friendly meals, cabins for resting, and gentle water activities make this a strong choice for families.
• Open bar for the whole cruise: Soft drinks, beer, and white wine are included, along with coffee, tea, detox water, and welcome pies.
• Dia Island by boat: You spend about two hours and 45 minutes at a clear-water bay, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and quiet sunbathing.

Leaving Heraklion on a spacious catamaran

Your day starts at the Marina Café, where you should arrive 15 minutes before departure. Look for a crew member wearing a DanEri T-shirt at the tables facing the sea and boats. A municipal parking area is nearby, costing about €5 per day.

After boarding, the crew provides a safety briefing, coffee, tea, detox water, fresh pies, and a cheese platter. This first quarter-hour is useful rather than rushed. You get your bearings, learn where the equipment is, and settle into the boat before the open-water part begins.

The catamaran has plenty of seating, including sunny areas for people who want a tan and shaded spots for those who prefer to stay cool. The interior includes cabins and clean restrooms. WiFi and music are available, though the real entertainment is the changing view across the sea.

The boat itself matters here. A catamaran usually gives you more deck space and a steadier ride than a narrow sailing boat. That does not mean seasickness is impossible, and weather can affect the crossing, but the wide layout helps families and mixed-age groups spread out.

The one-hour sail toward Dia Island

The trip to Dia takes about an hour. This is the part of the day for settling into the rhythm of the sea. You can sit forward and watch the water, stretch out on deck, or stay near the shaded seating with a drink.

The crew keeps soft drinks, beer, and white wine available throughout the trip. Coffee and tea are part of the welcome, while children have soft drinks and plenty of space for low-key entertainment. A box of toys gives younger children something to do when the novelty of the boat wears off.

The tone is more relaxed than party-focused. You are not being pushed from one activity to the next. That makes the cruise a good fit for friends who want conversation and sun, as well as families who need some flexibility.

The staff’s hospitality is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The crew has been praised for being attentive without hovering, and the safety credentials add comfort when children are swimming from the boat. You can ask for help with masks, paddleboards, life jackets, or the inflatable equipment.

Dia Island’s clear bay and open-water activities

The main stop lasts about two hours and 45 minutes. The catamaran anchors in one of Dia’s attractive bays, where you can swim directly from the boat. The island is wild and quiet compared with the resort coast around Heraklion, so the setting feels like a real change of pace.

The water is the reason to book this trip. Bring your swimsuit and towel, then choose your level of activity. You can stay on deck and watch the scenery, or use the supplied equipment:

• Snorkeling masks and gear for looking below the surface
• Stand-up paddleboards for exploring around the boat
• Canoeing equipment
• Fishing gear
• Arm floaties and other inflatables
• Life jackets for adults and children
• An inflatable flamingo for relaxed floating and photos

You should not expect a guided marine-life lesson or a long shore walk on Dia. The emphasis is water time, not a land tour. That is an important distinction. If you want archaeological sites, village streets, or a formal island excursion, this is not the right outing. If you want to swim in clear water with equipment ready to use, it fits very well.

Families get a lot from this stop. Children can jump from the boat, paddle, float, or use the toys onboard. Adults can swim, snorkel, or simply claim a shaded seat with a glass of wine. The variety means nobody has to follow the same schedule.

Conditions at sea can change, and the exact bay or activity level depends on the weather. The cruise may be rescheduled or canceled in poor conditions. That is a sensible safety rule, especially for a day built around swimming and paddleboards.

A Mediterranean lunch made onboard

Lunch is more substantial than the usual excursion snack. The chef prepares a Mediterranean spread onboard, with salads, hot dishes, seafood, meat, and a homemade dessert. A special meal is available for children, while vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals can be arranged if requested in advance.

The food has received unusually strong praise, especially the seafood. One crew member named Konstantinos has been singled out for the cooking, and the meal is a major reason the price feels more reasonable than it first appears. You are paying not just for transport to Dia, but for a freshly prepared meal served on the boat.

The lunch also gives the day a useful pause. After swimming and paddleboarding, you can dry off, eat, and take a break from the sun. Keep sunscreen nearby, because the reflective water and white deck can make the heat feel stronger than expected.

Unlimited drinks are included, but the open bar is best understood as a relaxed lunch service rather than a drinking cruise. Soft drinks, beer, and white wine are available, with water and welcome beverages as well. Parents can enjoy the meal while children have their own food and activities.

Special diets need planning. The provider lists vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, but you should request them when booking rather than waiting until lunchtime. Passenger details are also required in advance, including each person’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID number, and nationality. This information is required by port authorities.

The one-hour return to Heraklion

After lunch and water time, the catamaran heads back to Heraklion. The return takes about an hour, giving you a final chance to relax on deck, listen to music, or use the WiFi.

Depending on the departure time and season, the return may offer especially attractive evening light. One highlight noted by the crew’s past customers is the sunset view on the way back. Even without a dramatic sunset, the ride home is a quiet finish after an active afternoon.

Children who have spent the day swimming may be ready for a nap. The cabins provide a calmer place to rest, which is a useful feature for parents. The cruise ends back at the Marina Café, the same place where you board.

If you arrange optional transfer, pickup and drop-off may be available from Heraklion, Ammoudara, Karteros, Kokkini Hani, Analipsi, Gouves, Anissaras, Hersonissos, Stalida, Malia, Fodele, Agia Pelagia, Lygaria, Sissi, and Milatos. Hotel transfer is not automatically included, so check that you select the correct option.

What the $141 price really covers

At $141 per person, this cruise sits above a basic boat excursion. The value comes from how much is bundled into the five hours.

You receive the catamaran ride, crew service, welcome refreshments, lunch, dessert, unlimited soft drinks, beer and white wine, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, fishing equipment, inflatables, life jackets, WiFi, music, and liability insurance. A large part of the day is also spent at the island bay rather than on the boat’s route alone.

The group size helps explain the cost. The catamaran can accommodate up to 20 people, so the outing feels more exclusive than a large sightseeing vessel. You get enough room to find a quiet corner, but the boat still has a social atmosphere.

I would compare this with the cost of a cheaper boat tour plus buying lunch, drinks, and water equipment separately. If you only want transport and a quick swim, $141 may feel high. If you want a polished half-day with food, drinks, a comfortable boat, and activities already organized, the price is easier to justify.

Private groups are available, which may make sense for a birthday, anniversary, or family celebration. The provider also offers a complimentary gift for special occasions when informed ahead of time.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This is a particularly good choice for families. Children have safe equipment, toys, floaties, a child-friendly meal, and the novelty of sailing. Parents get a proper lunch, shade, cabins, and enough room to take a break.

Friends and couples can also enjoy it, especially if you want a social day without a packed party boat. The music and open bar add atmosphere, while the spacious deck leaves room for quiet time.

Swimmers and casual snorkelers will get the most from the Dia stop. You do not need to be highly athletic. There are life jackets and floating equipment, and you can choose to do as much or as little as you like.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, since the activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women. You should also avoid booking it as your main cultural tour of Crete. This is about the sea, food, scenery, and simple outdoor fun, not museums or ancient sites.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, though you should still confirm the practical details for your specific needs before booking. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a passport or ID card. A copy is accepted, but passenger identification details must be submitted in advance.

Should you book the Dia catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, activity-filled day at sea and value good food and attentive service. The clean boat, modest group size, strong meal, unlimited drinks, and generous supply of water equipment make it more than a basic ride to a swimming stop.

Families should find it especially easy to enjoy, while couples and friends can use the same setup for a relaxed day. The only serious question is the price. At $141, you are paying for an all-in experience, not the cheapest way to see Dia Island.

I would choose this cruise for a special day in Crete, particularly if you want snorkeling and paddleboarding without arranging equipment yourself. I would skip it only if your budget is tight, you dislike time on the water, or you want to spend your day exploring Dia on foot.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather can change the plan, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

FAQ

How long is the Dia Island catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours. The journey from Heraklion to Dia takes about one hour, the island stop lasts about two hours and 45 minutes, and the return takes about one hour, with the remaining time used for boarding, refreshments, and safety instructions.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes coffee, tea, detox water, fresh pies, a cheese platter, and a Mediterranean lunch with salads, hot seafood and meat dishes, and homemade dessert. Unlimited soft drinks, beer, and white wine are also included.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes. The cruise is designed for families and includes a special meal option for children, a box of toys, arm floaties, inflatables, life jackets, and cabins where children can rest.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, stand-up paddleboards, canoe equipment, and inflatables are included. You should bring your own towel, swimsuit, and sunscreen.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included automatically. Transfer is available by prior request from listed areas including Heraklion, Ammoudara, Karteros, Hersonissos, Malia, Agia Pelagia, Sissi, and Milatos. Select the appropriate transfer option when booking.

What identification is needed?

When booking, you must provide each passenger’s full name, date of birth, passport or ID card number, and nationality. You should also bring a passport or ID card on the day, and a copy is accepted.