Luxury Catamaran Cruise, Dia Island –Open Bar & Lunch -Top Rated!

The best part of this cruise is simple: you spend about three hours in Dia Island’s peaceful bay, with turquoise water around you and a well-equipped catamaran as your base. You can swim, snorkel, paddle a SUP, fish, or stay aboard with a plate of fresh Mediterranean food.

I like the fresh onboard lunch, which includes seafood, salads, and local ingredients, and I like the unusually generous equipment list. You get snorkeling gear, swimming vests, SUPs, fishing gear, a canoe board, inflatable toys, and noodles. The main consideration is the price, $145.18 per person, which is fair for an all-inclusive half-day at sea but more than a basic boat trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours at Dia Island: The main stop gives you real time to swim, snorkel, paddle, fish, or relax rather than making a quick photo stop.
• Fresh lunch prepared onboard: Choose seafood, vegetarian spinach lasagna, or chicken lasagna, with salads and Mediterranean sides.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• Maximum of 25 people: This is a small group by excursion standards, with room to spread out on a catamaran.
• Strong water-activity setup: Snorkeling equipment, vests, SUP boards, fishing gear, and sea toys are included.
• Flexible mood: A 3:30 pm departure can offer sunset views, while an earlier sailing gives you more daylight for water activities.

Leaving Heraklion for Dia Island

You meet at Cafe Marina on Leoforos Nearchou in Heraklion. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the cruise returns there at the end, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from the harbor.

The sailing lasts about five and a half hours. The listed stop at Dia Island takes roughly three hours, leaving the rest of the outing for the ride between Heraklion and the island, boarding, meals, and time on the catamaran.

That timing gives you a proper day on the water without turning the outing into a full-day commitment. You can fit it into a Heraklion visit and still have part of the evening free. If you select a later departure, the 3:30 pm sailing has the potential for a sunset at sea, which adds a different feel to the trip. Just remember that sunset timing depends on the date and conditions.

The boat is operated by EOS Yachts, with a certified, English-speaking crew. The strongest praise goes to the captain, chef, and assistant working together. That matters on a catamaran cruise. A good crew keeps the schedule moving, handles the anchoring, prepares the meal, and makes water activities feel easy rather than chaotic.

Three hours in Dia’s quiet bay

Dia is the reason to book this cruise. The catamaran anchors in a peaceful bay, giving you a stable base for the main part of the day. The setting is about clear water and open sea, not a long land excursion. You do not spend your limited time hiking around the island or following a packed sightseeing program.

You can choose your own pace. Go snorkeling, take a swimming vest, paddle a SUP, try the fishing gear, or simply sit in the sun with a drink. A canoe board, inflatable toys, and swimming noodles add options for people who want to be active without needing strong swimming skills.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting your own gear. The same is true of the SUP equipment and swimming vests. For families and mixed-age groups, that broad equipment selection is useful because everyone can find something to do.

The reviews describe the captain anchoring close to shore in a particularly good part of the bay. The exact anchoring point depends on sea and weather conditions, but the general advantage is clear: you are not confined to the middle of the bay, far from the water’s edge.

You should still keep expectations sensible. This is not a guided marine biology tour, and there is no promised wildlife encounter. The appeal is the freedom to use the calm bay and the boat’s equipment at your own pace.

A seafood lunch that is part of the experience

Food is one of the strongest reasons this cruise feels different from a simple sailing trip. Lunch is prepared fresh onboard, using local ingredients, and it comes with salads. The seafood choice combines sea garden risotto with kantaifi-wrapped tempura shrimp, pairing a soft, savory main dish with crisp shrimp.

If you do not eat seafood, the vegetarian meal is moussaka-inspired spinach lasagna with pasta, spinach, and béchamel sauce. The meat option is chicken lasagna with mushrooms and colorful bell peppers. These are substantial dishes, not just a plate of snacks beside the water.

The food service begins before lunch with welcome coffee and Cretan delicacies. Gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts are also provided, along with seasonal fruit and a local Cretan dessert. This makes the cruise feel like a relaxed meal at sea rather than a boat ride where food is an afterthought.

You should select the meal option when you reserve. The supplied menu gives you three main-course choices, seafood, vegetarian, or meat. The information does not specify how dietary substitutions are handled, so contact EOS Yachts before booking if you have allergies or special dietary needs.

The timing of meals is part of the charm. You may have something small before swimming, enjoy lunch after settling into the bay, and return to fruit or dessert later. With food spread across the cruise, you are less likely to feel that the outing revolves around one rushed meal.

What the open bar really includes

The bar is generous for a half-day cruise. Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included, and the minimum drinking age is 18. That means you can order a drink without adding separate charges every time, provided you stay with the included choices.

Cocktails are not part of the standard package. You can request them, but they cost extra. This is worth noting because the phrase open bar can create the wrong expectation. Think of it as a useful selection of basic drinks, not an unlimited cocktail menu.

Water and soft drinks are just as important as wine and beer on a warm day. If you plan to swim, paddle, or snorkel, pace yourself and keep water in the mix. The crew can provide the drinks, but you remain responsible for drinking sensibly before any water activity.

A catamaran built for a relaxed half-day

The boat has a men’s and women’s restroom, a shower, free WiFi, and space for the included water equipment. Those facilities make a noticeable difference during a five-and-a-half-hour trip. You can rinse off after swimming and do not have to spend the whole outing worrying about restroom access.

A maximum of 25 people keeps the group smaller than many large excursion boats. It does not mean you will have a private yacht, but it should make meal service, boarding, and access to the equipment easier than on a much larger vessel.

The catamaran itself is repeatedly praised for its polished, high-end feel. You get a more comfortable platform for sitting, eating, and moving around than a basic motorboat. The trade-off is that a larger, more luxurious vessel costs more to operate, and that cost is reflected in the ticket price.

The crew’s role is central. The captain handles the route and anchoring, while the chef and assistant manage food and guest needs. The overall setup suits you if you want the pleasures of sailing without having to plan every detail yourself.

Is $145.18 a good value?

At $145.18 per person, this is not a budget boat excursion. It becomes easier to justify when you add up what is included: roughly five and a half hours, a premium lunch, coffee, Cretan snacks, cheese and cold cuts, fruit, dessert, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, SUPs, fishing gear, sea toys, a shower, restrooms, WiFi, and a certified crew.

A cheaper cruise may offer the same general route but charge separately for food, drinks, or water equipment. Here, most of your costs are settled before you board. That makes the experience easier to budget, especially for a couple or family that would otherwise buy lunch and drinks separately.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the boat fully. Swim, snorkel, try a SUP, eat lunch onboard, and make use of the drinks and snacks. If you only want a short ride and a quick swim, the price will feel high.

The group limit also matters. You are paying for a more comfortable, organized outing rather than simply transportation to Dia Island. The small-group format, good food, and attentive crew are the parts that separate this from a basic transfer.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and friends who want a polished day on the water without booking a private yacht. It works well for people who value good food and comfort as much as swimming.

It also suits a group with different interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can sit with a book and a cold drink. The range of equipment prevents the day from depending on one single activity.

If you are visiting Heraklion from a cruise ship, the timing may work well as a port-day outing, but you should personally check that the scheduled cruise fits your ship’s departure time. The meeting point is in Heraklion, and the activity returns there, but no private port transfer is included.

This is less suitable if you want a long walk on Dia Island, a quiet private charter, or a very inexpensive boat ride. It is also not ideal for someone who dislikes organized schedules. You have freedom during the bay stop, but the boat still leaves and returns at set times.

The cruise requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you receive the option of another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Practical details that can affect your day

Confirmation is provided at booking, and a mobile ticket is accepted. The experience is offered in English, and most people can participate. The meeting point is Cafe Marina, Leoforos Nearchou, Heraklion 712 02.

Private pickup and transfer service is available on request, but it is not included in the listed price. Plan your route to the marina in advance, especially if you are staying outside central Heraklion.

The standard package includes water gear but not a sea scooter. A sea scooter requires advance booking, and priority is given in booking order. If that is important to you, arrange it before the day of sailing rather than asking at the dock.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Local time controls the cutoff.

Bring whatever personal items help you enjoy a day around water, but the supplied information does not specify a required packing list. The important included basics are already covered: swimming vests, snorkeling equipment, SUP equipment, fishing gear, a shower, and food and drinks.

Should you book the Dia Island catamaran?

Book it if you want a complete, comfortable day at sea, not just a ride to a swimming spot. The combination of three hours in Dia’s bay, fresh food, an open bar, a small group, and plenty of water equipment gives you a full experience for the price.

I would be especially inclined to book if you like having choices. You can be active for an hour, eat a proper lunch, and spend the rest of the time relaxing aboard the catamaran. The crew, food, and boat comfort are the strongest reasons to choose this option.

Skip it if your main goal is the lowest possible fare or a private sailing experience. At $145.18, it asks you to pay for comfort and service. For the right kind of day, that is exactly what makes it worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise meet?

The meeting point is Cafe Marina on Leoforos Nearchou in Heraklion, Greece. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes. The Dia Island stop lasts about three hours.

What food is included?

You receive a fresh Mediterranean lunch with salads, welcome coffee and Cretan delicacies, cheese and cold-cut platters, seasonal fruit, and a local Cretan dessert. Main-course choices include seafood, vegetarian spinach lasagna, or chicken lasagna.

What drinks are included?

The all-inclusive bar provides water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. The minimum drinking age is 18. Cocktails are available on request but are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and swimming vests are included, along with SUP equipment, fishing gear, a canoe board, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles. A sea scooter requires advance booking and is not included in the standard package.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If bad weather or an insufficient number of participants causes the cruise to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.