A Dia island cruise from Heraklion sails from the Cretan coast to the small, empty island of Dia, with time for a swim and a meal on board. Browse more tours in Greece for other days out on Crete.
This page covers the harbour, the sailing time, the island, the swim stops and the boats on a Dia island cruise from Heraklion.
What does a Dia island cruise from Heraklion include?
A Dia island cruise from Heraklion includes the sailing and a Mediterranean meal with drinks. You also get time to swim and snorkel near the island. The sailing trips add stand-up paddleboarding too.
Each operator sets its own package, so check what your Dia island cruise from Heraklion includes before you choose. These items appear on the tour pages and operator sites.
- A Mediterranean meal on board, served as lunch on the day cruises and as dinner on the sunset cruises
- Drinks with the meal, such as wine, beer, soft drinks and water
- Snorkelling equipment, and fishing on the cruises of two operators
- Stand-up paddleboards on the sailing trips
Hotel pickup depends on the operator. One operator covers pickup within 10 kilometres of Heraklion, and another books a minivan transfer through a partner company. Ask about pickup when you book your Dia island cruise from Heraklion.
On the small sailing yachts, the skipper and crew run the boat. One operator, whose crew speaks English, invites guests to join in with the sailing if they want. Guests who do not want to swim can relax on the boat in the sun. Check these details when you pick your Dia island cruise from Heraklion.
Tours differ in length. Half-day sailing trips run 4 hours 30 minutes, and full-day trips run 6 hours 30 minutes. Day cruises and sunset cruises are both on offer, and shared and private trips are listed side by side. The sunset cruise has the same swimming and snorkelling, and you watch the sun go down from the boat.
Where is Dia island, and how far is it from Heraklion?
Dia island sits in the sea north of Crete, about 13 kilometres from Heraklion. A boat tour is the only way to reach it, because no ferry or public transport goes there. Every Dia island cruise from Heraklion crosses that stretch of sea.
The island is small. It measures 5 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide, and its area is about 12 square kilometres. The highest point stands 220 metres above the sea.
On a map, you find Dia at 35.448 degrees north and 25.220 degrees east. A Dia island cruise from Heraklion covers the 13 kilometres between the city and the island by boat.
Dia sits opposite the city, and you can see the island from Heraklion. Administratively, it is part of the Hersonissos municipality. It is also one of the Cretan Islands and belongs to a European network of protected nature areas.
Nobody lives on Dia. There are no hotels or other places to stay. Only a small church and a shelter without electricity stand on the island.
Day trips are allowed on Dia, but camping is not, and no cars are allowed. Swimming, snorkelling and walking along the beach are the activities people do there. So a Dia island cruise from Heraklion is always a day trip, not an overnight stay.
Where do the boats leave from, and how long does the sailing take?
A Dia island cruise from Heraklion sails from the city’s harbour, and the crossing takes about one hour. One local operator meets guests at the Old Venetian port 15 minutes before departure.
According to one operator, sailing boats and catamarans on a Dia island cruise from Heraklion board at Heraklion Port. The same company sends its motor yachts from Marina Rodias, also called Pantanassa. Confirm the harbour when you book, because the boat type decides where you board.
Day sailings run in two blocks. Two local operators list a morning trip from 9:00 to 15:00 and an afternoon trip from 15:00 to 21:00. A third offers departures at 10:45 or 15:30, depending on availability. Pick the block that suits your Dia island cruise from Heraklion.
The whole outing is longer than the crossing. A half-day sailing trip with lunch lasts about 4 hours 30 minutes. One timetable lists a full-day sailing trip of 6 hours 30 minutes. On the half-day tour the boat returns to the Old Venetian port. A Dia island cruise from Heraklion ends where it began.
Hotel pick-ups for a Dia island cruise from Heraklion are also on offer. One operator collects guests from Agia Pelagia, Ammoudara, Gazi, Hersonissos, Malia and other areas. Its drop-off times are approximate, and delays can occur, so keep the evening free of tight plans.
What is the story of Dia island and its wild kri-kri goats?
A Dia island cruise from Heraklion visits a protected island where the kri-kri, the wild goat of Crete, lives. Dia belongs to the European Natura network, and legend says Zeus made it in anger over hunted goats.
In the tale, Cretans hunted the wild goats, the children of Amalthea, who fed the young Zeus with her milk. Zeus hurled lightning into the sea, and a monster shaped like a lizard rose from the waves. That anger starts the legend behind every Dia island cruise from Heraklion.
Poseidon stepped in, and Zeus threw two slices of bread into the sea to distract the beast. A second thunderbolt turned it to stone. The stone became Dia, and the bread became the small islets of Paximadi and Petalidi.
The island was once called Standia, from the Greek phrase for “on Dia”. For centuries it was Crete’s main port. Its four south coves have been anchorages since Minoan times. Jacques Cousteau explored the seabed around Dia and found the remains of an ancient port between the island and Heraklion.
In the wild, the kri-kri is shy, avoids people and rests during the day. It can climb sheer cliffs with ease. Its range covers the White Mountains, the Samaria National Forest and the islets of Dia, Thodorou and Agii Pandes. Hunting it is strictly prohibited.
On Dia the goats shelter in steep cliffs and ravines. A sighting on a Dia island cruise from Heraklion is a bonus, never a promise. Day trips to the island are allowed, camping is not, and no cars are permitted.
If a kri-kri appears on your Dia island cruise from Heraklion, notice its coat. It is light brownish, with a darker band around the neck. Two horns sweep back from its head. The animal is sometimes called the Cretan goat, Agrimi or Cretan ibex. The kri-kri is a symbol of Crete, much used in tourism marketing and official literature.
Where do the boats stop for swimming and snorkelling?
On a Dia island cruise from Heraklion, the skipper drops anchor in a protected cove off Dia. You swim and snorkel from the boat. Operators name different bays, so read the stops on your own tour page.
The names change from boat to boat. One full-day itinerary lists three stops: Agrilia Bay, Panagia Cove and Agios Georgios. Two other operators name the bay of Saint George. A fourth says only that the skipper anchors in a protected cove with turquoise water.
Time in the water changes too. The full-day itinerary gives you one hour at its first stop, with fresh fruit and drinks. One plan on a Dia island cruise from Heraklion gives two hours of free time at the anchorage. After lunch comes 30 minutes to relax.
Operators list snorkelling gear as included. Their lists also name stand-up paddleboards, fishing sets and inflatable toys, so there is more to do than swim.
Check the rules before you book a Dia island cruise from Heraklion. One operator states that all participants must know how to swim to snorkel. The same operator says children must be accompanied by an adult.
The beach is wild and has no facilities. Shade is hard to find, so bring sunscreen and a hat. Towels and sunglasses are on one operator’s packing list.
A Dia island cruise from Heraklion still works if you skip the water. Relax on the boat and enjoy the sun while the others swim.
What is lunch like on board a Dia island cruise from Heraklion?
The crew prepares lunch on board while you take another swim, and drinks come with the meal. Every Dia island cruise from Heraklion we checked serves a Mediterranean-style meal, and the menu depends on the operator.
The menus differ. One operator lists roasted chicken fillets, rice with vegetables and a Greek salad. Another serves seafood pasta and fresh fruit. A third offers a Mediterranean seafood menu, with cheeses, bruschetta and cold cuts when the boat arrives at Dia. These menus come from operator pages, so ask for the current menu when you book.
Operators list water, soft drinks, beer and local white wine among the drinks on a Dia island cruise from Heraklion. One adds coffee or tea. Another serves a lunch designed by a nutritionist from organic local ingredients. Drinks start early. One itinerary opens with soft drinks and water at the safety briefing. Another opens with coffee, cake and local treats.
Tell the operator about your diet when you book. One tour lists a vegetarian menu with portobello mushrooms, plus vegan and gluten-free meals on request. Another offers vegetarian, meat and children’s menus.
The swim comes first, and lunch follows. Fresh fruit follows the main course on one itinerary. After the meal, the time is yours to sunbathe, swim again or take photos before the sail back. On afternoon departures of a Dia island cruise from Heraklion, operators serve dinner instead of lunch.
One operator’s page describes a Greek salad of ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, red onion, black olives and feta. A full-day page says the skipper and host prepare lunch from fresh local ingredients. One sunset itinerary features fresh Mediterranean seafood at dinner. Another plan lists unlimited water, refreshments and white wine. Confirm menus before your Dia island cruise from Heraklion.
How do the sailing boats and catamarans differ on a Dia island cruise from Heraklion?
Group size is the first difference. On a Dia island cruise from Heraklion, sailing yachts carry 8 to 12 guests. The catamarans carry 20 to 22. Each operator sets its own limit, so read the listing before you book.
On a sailing yacht, the skipper shares the day with you. One operator lets the skipper lead guests through the art of sailing and invites them to join in. The same operator tells guests to enjoy the silence while the yacht sails. A small-group listing promises a relaxed atmosphere and personal service.
A catamaran on a Dia island cruise from Heraklion brings more space and more energy. One operator calls its catamaran trips a lively, spacious adventure with room to dance. Its page says guests can relax, party or both.
A Heraklion catamaran listing adds a water slide, underwater sea scooters and an open bar. Both boat types offer swimming, snorkelling and stand-up paddle boarding.
Booking terms differ as well. One operator lets you cancel sailing trips up to 24 hours ahead. Its catamaran trips need 48 hours of notice. Check the notice period before you pay.
What else do travellers ask about a Dia island cruise from Heraklion?
Is a Dia island cruise from Heraklion suitable if I get seasick?
One listing says the trip is not recommended for pregnant people or anyone prone to sea sickness. The same listing carries this rule for both its yacht and its 17 m catamaran. Ask the operator about sea conditions before you book.
What do I need to bring on a Dia island cruise from Heraklion?
One yacht operator lists a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses and a camera. The island beach is wild, so shade is hard to find. Another operator needs each passenger’s passport or ID details one day ahead. The port authorities ask for them.
Can children join the cruise?
Children can join a Dia island cruise from Heraklion, but the rules differ by operator. One listing says babies under 1 year cannot join, and all other ages are welcome. A small-group listing says infants must sit on laps. Crews provide life jackets. A catamaran listing and a small-group listing both sell a child ticket.
Do I need to know how to swim?
No. One listing says knowing how to swim is not required, and swimming and snorkelling are optional. It adds that certified crew give safety instructions. A yacht operator says guests who do not feel like swimming can relax on the boat in the sun. You can still take a Dia island cruise from Heraklion without swimming.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Operators move or cancel the trip when the sea is rough. One offers a new date, or a full refund if you cannot rebook. Another promises free rescheduling or a refund. A third says the crew checks conditions and offers alternative activities. Travellers are informed promptly.