Heraklion: Sailing Trip to Dia Island with Lunch & Swimming

Dia Island is the reason to book this trip. Six nautical miles off Heraklion, it gives you a full day on the water without the fuss of finding a beach, packing lunch, or arranging your own boat. The best parts are the clear swimming water at Saint George Bay and the easy, unhurried pace: swim, snorkel, fish, paddle, eat, then stretch out on deck.

I also like the small-group setup, limited to eight people, and the crew’s friendly, hands-on approach. Guides including George, Vaso, Spiros, Marina, Niko, and Markos are praised for good food, careful hosting, and helping with activities. The main drawback is the long sail, about 80 minutes each way, and the included meal is convenient and tasty for many people but not fine dining.

Key points to know before booking

• Dia Island is six nautical miles from Heraklion, far enough to feel like a real escape but close enough for a day trip.
• Saint George Bay gives you about three hours for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, SUP boarding, lunch, and rest.
• The group is limited to eight participants, making this quieter and more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Lunch and drinks are included, with shrimp pasta, Greek salad, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
• You can meet at Heraklion Port or use selected transfers from places such as Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Gouves, and nearby resorts.
• The sail home can be a highlight, especially on departures timed for sunset and early evening light.

Sailing from Heraklion to Dia Island

Your day begins at the Old Anchor monument near Marina Cafe in Heraklion Port. A Set Sails representative meets you there and walks you to the boat. Parking is available nearby, which helps if you are making your own way to the harbor.

If you choose the transfer option, an air-conditioned minivan collects you from a designated city bus stop. Pickup areas include Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Gouves, Analipsi, Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, Anissaras, Gournes, Kokkini Hani, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia, Lygaria, and other listed points around Heraklion’s resort coast.

Once aboard, the captain gives a safety briefing before the boat leaves the port. The outward sail takes about 80 minutes. That is not a quick shuttle across the water, so plan to enjoy the journey itself. You get views back toward Crete’s rugged shoreline, open sea, and, if conditions are right, the chance to spot dolphins.

The boat is described as spacious, but this is still a sailing trip, not a private yacht charter. The small group helps keep the atmosphere relaxed, and the crew can pay more attention to individual needs. Names vary by departure, but George, Vaso, Spiros, Marina, Niko, Markos, Georgios, Eva, Ilis, and Dimitri are among the crew members praised for their warm service and practical help.

Saint George Bay and the quiet side of Dia

Dia is tied to Greek mythology and has an unusual, dry beauty. The island itself is not presented as a walking tour destination. The main attraction is the bay, where the boat anchors for around three hours.

This is the point where the trip changes from a sailing outing into a proper water day. You can swim from the boat, use a snorkeling mask, fish with the supplied equipment, or take the SUP board into the bay. Pool noodles and life jackets are available for those who want extra support in the water.

The water is described as clear, though it can feel cold depending on the season and your comfort level. It is also deep around the boat, so this is not the same as wading into a shallow sandy beach. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the flotation equipment and tell the crew what you need.

Snorkeling is simple rather than a guided marine-life tour. You receive the equipment and have time to explore around the anchored boat. Fishing is also casual, but it can be a nice extra for families or anyone who enjoys having something to do between swims. The crew has been especially helpful with children trying their hand at fishing.

The SUP board adds a little freedom. You can paddle around the bay rather than staying on deck, though space and equipment are shared among the group. Do not expect a long expedition around Dia Island. This is a short, easy water activity that breaks up the swimming and sunbathing.

Lunch with shrimp pasta, salad, and unlimited drinks

Lunch is served aboard the boat during the stop at Dia. The usual meal includes pasta with shrimp, Greek salad, and fruit salad. Reviews of the food are mostly positive, with George’s shrimp pasta receiving particular praise. A pesto pasta substitute is available, and gluten-free and vegan options can be arranged.

The food is best understood as a well-timed boat lunch. It saves you from carrying sandwiches and keeps the day moving, but you should not expect a restaurant meal prepared to order. One account found the food merely acceptable, while most found it tasty, generous, and convenient.

Drinks are included and unlimited. You can choose from white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. This makes the $67 price more appealing, especially when you consider that lunch, equipment, crew, insurance, and the boat ride are all covered.

Alcohol is served during the trip, so the mood may become more social as the day goes on. It is not described as a party cruise, though. The bay remains suited to swimming, resting, and conversation rather than loud entertainment.

The return sail and possible sunset light

After lunch, you get another chance to swim before the boat heads back toward Heraklion. The return journey takes about 80 minutes, so you have time to dry off, rest on deck, and watch the coast recede.

Some departure times are arranged so the return takes place around sunset. When that happens, the trip can feel much more memorable: warm evening light, Heraklion’s harbor approaching, and perhaps the first lights appearing along the coast. Sunset timing depends on the selected departure and port conditions, so do not assume every sailing includes the same evening view.

The boat may sail under wind power when conditions allow. That can make the return especially enjoyable, with the engine off and the boat moving quietly across the water. It is also weather-dependent, so the captain has the final say on how the boat travels.

Departure times can change because of port authority instructions or force majeure conditions. That is worth keeping in mind if you have a tight evening plan. Allow some flexibility after the excursion rather than booking an important dinner or airport transfer immediately afterward.

Is the $67 price good value?

At $67 per person, this trip is good value for anyone who wants more than a basic boat ride. You are paying for roughly six hours, an 80-minute sail each way, a three-hour stop, lunch, unlimited drinks, water equipment, fishing gear, SUP access, crew, and insurance.

The price is strongest when you use several parts of the package. If you swim, snorkel, paddle, eat lunch, and enjoy a few drinks, you are getting a full day rather than simply a seat on a boat. The optional transfer can also save you the trouble of arranging transport from a resort area.

The value is less clear if you dislike long periods at sea, do not swim, or want a quiet private charter. Nearly half the core outing is spent sailing to and from Dia. That journey is scenic, but it is still travel time.

The small group matters, too. With a maximum of eight participants, you are not lost in a crowd, and the crew can help with masks, fishing gear, paddleboarding, and safety. A larger boat might offer more space, but this format feels more personal and easier to manage.

Choosing the meeting point or transfer option

The self-arrival option suits you if you are staying in Heraklion or want control over your morning. Go to the Old Anchor monument near Marina Cafe and look for the Set Sails representative. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The transfer option is useful if you are staying along the resort coast. It covers many pickup areas, but the vehicle uses designated bus stops rather than promising a door-to-door hotel pickup. Check the exact meeting location carefully, especially if your hotel has a similar name to another property in the area.

The supplied information lists both optional transfers and hotel pickup and drop-off as not included. The practical reading is that only the transfer option includes transport, and only from selected points. Do not assume every hotel can arrange a private pickup.

Bring your passport or ID card, since the port authorities require the full names, passport numbers, and countries of origin for everyone booked. Wear comfortable shoes, bring swimwear and a towel, and leave high heels behind.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, small groups of friends, and families who want a relaxed day away from Crete’s busy resort beaches. It works especially well if you like a mix of activity and downtime. You can paddle or snorkel for a while, then sit in the sun with a drink and watch the sea.

Families should appreciate the fishing equipment, flotation aids, and crew assistance. Children still need close supervision around the water, since the boat anchors in deep sea rather than beside a shallow beach.

It also suits people who want an easy introduction to sailing. You do not need to organize a boat, buy food, or rent equipment separately. The crew handles the practical details, while you decide how active you want to be.

This is less suitable if you want extensive island walking, serious snorkeling, or a private luxury sailing experience. Dia is mainly a beautiful stop for water activities, and the cruise is shared with a small group. Wheelchair users cannot join, and anyone with an impairment should contact the provider in advance so the crew can try to assist.

What the strongest praise tells you

The most consistent strength is the crew. George and Vaso are frequently singled out for their cooking, calm attention, and friendly hosting. Spiros, Marina, Niko, Markos, Georgios, Eva, Ilis, and Dimitri also receive strong praise for making people comfortable without hovering.

That balance matters on a sailing day. You want help when you need it, but you do not want a guide interrupting every quiet moment. The best accounts describe the crew as present, attentive, and easy to talk with.

The second major strength is the amount of free time at the bay. You are not rushed through a ten-minute swim stop. Three hours gives you room to try several activities, eat lunch, and still rest on deck.

The third is the return sail. Several departures have included a beautiful sunset or twilight ride, and some have sailed back with little or no engine use when the wind cooperated. That is the kind of small detail that can turn a standard excursion into one of your favorite days in Crete.

Practical booking advice

Book this trip when you can spare the full six hours and keep your schedule loose afterward. Check the starting time carefully, since different departures may produce different light and sunset conditions.

If you want the most relaxing day, bring a towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. Comfortable footwear is enough, and high heels are not allowed. Tell the provider about dietary needs before departure, especially if you require vegan or gluten-free food.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 414 reviews, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is helpful when your Crete plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Dia Island sailing trip?

Book it if you want a friendly small-group boat day with swimming, a real lunch, unlimited drinks, and enough time to use the water equipment. At $67, the combination is hard to fault for a six-hour outing, especially with transfer options from many resort areas.

Skip it if you want a fast trip, a sandy beach, extensive island exploration, or a high-end private yacht. The long sail is part of the experience, and the food is practical boat fare rather than a gourmet meal.

For most visitors staying in or near Heraklion, this is a strong choice. Pick a departure that gives you the kind of light you want, ask about the day’s crew if possible, and let the captain set the pace.

FAQ

How long is the sailing trip to Dia Island?

The activity lasts about six hours. The outward sail takes roughly 80 minutes, the return takes another 80 minutes, and the stop at Dia lasts about three hours.

How far is Dia Island from Heraklion?

Dia Island is about six nautical miles from Heraklion.

Where does the trip start?

The meeting point is at the Old Anchor monument near Marina Cafe in Heraklion Port. A Set Sails representative leads you to the boat.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Transportation is available only with the transfer option and from selected pickup points. The minivan uses designated city bus stops in areas including Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Gouves, Heraklion, Analipsi, and others.

What activities are available at Dia Island?

You can swim, snorkel, fish, use a SUP paddleboard, sunbathe on deck, and enjoy the scenery around Saint George Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes seafood pasta with shrimp, Greek salad, and fruit salad. Pesto pasta and gluten-free or vegan options are available.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, swimwear, and a towel.

Can wheelchair users join the trip?

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you have another impairment, inform the provider in advance so the crew can try to accommodate you.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.