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

Sun, sea, and lunch on a catamaran. This five-and-a-half-hour cruise from Heraklion takes you across the Cretan Sea to the peaceful bay of Dia Island, where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, fish, or simply stretch out on deck. I especially like the fresh onboard seafood lunch and the fact that water equipment, snacks, drinks, and a professional English-speaking crew are included.

The other strong point is the relaxed scale. With a maximum of 25 people, the boat should feel more personal than a large excursion vessel, while still offering a luxury catamaran, toilets, a shower, WiFi, and plenty of room to settle in. The main drawback is the price, about $145.18 per person, and private hotel transfers are not included.

• Dia Island swimming stop: You get about three hours in a sheltered bay for swimming, snorkeling, SUP boarding, canoeing, fishing, and floating.
• Fresh food prepared onboard: Seafood risotto with kantaifi-wrapped shrimp is the featured main course, with vegetarian and meat options also available.
• Open bar included: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are available throughout the cruise. Cocktails cost extra.
• Small maximum group: The catamaran accepts no more than 25 people, giving the cruise a calmer feel than a big boat outing.
• Useful equipment provided: Snorkeling gear, swimming vests, SUPs, fishing equipment, canoe boards, noodles, and inflatable toys are included.
• Flexible mood: A daytime sailing offers long hours in the bay, while the 3:30 pm departure can bring a sunset at sea.

Sailing Out from Heraklion Marina

The meeting point is Cafe Marina on Leof. Nearchou in Heraklion, close to public transportation. The cruise ends back at the same place, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in the city or arriving at the port.

The boat operator is Eos Yachts, and the vessel is presented as a luxury catamaran rather than a basic transport boat. That distinction matters. You are not just paying to reach Dia Island. You are paying for time aboard a comfortable boat, prepared food, a drinks service, and access to a wide range of water equipment.

The total outing lasts about five and a half hours. Since the Dia stop itself lasts around three hours, the rest of the time is used for the sailing portion, boarding, meals, and time on the boat. I would treat the cruise as a full half-day plan rather than a quick island transfer.

A maximum of 25 people is a useful limit. It does not guarantee an empty deck, but it should make it easier to find a place to sit, speak with the crew, and use the equipment without the feel of a large party boat. The crew is qualified, certified, and English-speaking, with a captain, chef, and assistant handling the day according to the detailed guest feedback provided.

Three Hours in Dia Island’s Quiet Bay

The heart of the trip is Dia Island. The boat anchors in a peaceful bay, and you have roughly three hours to use the water or enjoy the catamaran. The setting is described as turquoise and calm, with the vessel anchoring close to shore in a favorable part of the bay.

This is not a guided island walking tour. The focus is the water. You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, try a stand-up paddleboard, fish, paddle a canoe board, or play with the inflatable toys and swimming noodles. A swimming vest is available, which is helpful if you want to enjoy the water without being a confident swimmer.

The snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer familiar equipment. The same applies to the SUP boards and fishing gear. That makes the $145 price easier to understand, especially for anyone who would otherwise rent several items separately.

There is also a practical advantage to having three hours in one bay. You are not constantly climbing back aboard, moving to another cove, or following a tight chain of short stops. You can swim first, eat later, and return to the water when you feel like it. The tradeoff is that the cruise does not promise a wide tour of Dia Island. You are visiting one bay, not exploring the entire island.

A Seafood Lunch Served at Sea

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simpler sailing trip. The meal is prepared onboard with local ingredients and served with fresh salads. The featured seafood choice combines seafood risotto with crispy kantaifi-wrapped tempura shrimp, which gives you something more substantial than the usual sandwich or boxed lunch.

The menu also includes a spinach lasagna inspired by moussaka for vegetarians. A meat option is chicken lasagna with mushrooms and colorful bell peppers. These choices make the cruise more practical for a mixed group, though you should select your preferred main course when reserving.

Before or around the meal, the boat serves gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts. Seasonal fruit and a local Cretan dessert provide lighter options later in the day. A welcome coffee and Cretan delicacies are also included, so the food is spread across the outing instead of arriving as one rushed plate.

I like this setup because food can change the rhythm of a boat trip. Without a proper meal, five and a half hours at sea can feel long. Here, lunch gives you a reason to slow down, especially after swimming or paddleboarding. The limitation is that the supplied menu describes several main courses but does not give details about dietary substitutions, allergies, or exact serving times. If you have a serious dietary need, ask before booking.

What the Open Bar Really Includes

The open bar covers water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. That is a helpful inclusion on a warm day, particularly when you are swimming and spending hours in the sun. You do not need to keep track of small drink purchases while onboard.

Cocktails are not included. They can be requested for an additional charge, so the phrase open bar should not be read as every drink being unlimited. The minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages is 18.

There is a sensible way to use this inclusion: enjoy the wine or beer with lunch, but keep water close at hand while swimming and sitting in the sun. The cruise includes food and drinks, yet it is still a good idea to bring personal sun protection and any items you need for comfort. No specific packing list is provided, so keep your belongings practical and limited.

The snacks and bar also make the cruise suitable for people who want a social day without planning each detail themselves. If you prefer a quiet, alcohol-free sailing, you can simply stick with water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

Catamaran Comfort and Onboard Facilities

The catamaran is equipped with separate men’s and women’s toilets, a shower, and free WiFi. Those details may sound minor before departure, but they matter on a five-hour boat trip. A shower is especially useful after swimming, and proper toilets are more comfortable than relying on a small shared marine facility.

The boat also carries a selection of recreational gear: snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, SUP boards, fishing equipment, canoe boards, inflatable toys, and swimming noodles. This turns the vessel into the activity base. You can switch between active time in the bay and quiet time on deck without arranging another rental.

The cruise is not designed only for serious swimmers. The equipment list gives you several ways to enjoy the stop, and a vest or noodle can help you stay comfortable in the water. At the same time, anyone who does not want to swim can remain aboard, eat, relax, and watch the bay.

A sea scooter is the one notable exception. It is not included and requires advance booking, with priority given in booking order. If that is important to you, arrange it before the day of departure rather than expecting one to be available at the last minute.

Daytime Sailing or a 3:30 PM Sunset Cruise

The exact departure timing affects the feel of the day. A daytime sailing gives you the best chance to use the three-hour bay stop for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding in a straightforward way.

The 3:30 pm option has a different appeal. The boat may return later, and the sea becomes part of the evening show. One provided account describes a sunset seen from the middle of the sea, along with the same food, open bar, and water equipment. If you enjoy warm light and a slower mood, that departure may be the better choice.

You should check the available departure time when reserving, since the supplied details do not establish a complete daily schedule. A sunset cruise may suit couples and adults looking for a scenic evening, while an earlier departure is likely better if your priority is active time in the water.

Is $145.18 a Fair Price?

At about $145.18 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value comes from the bundle: a luxury catamaran, a professional crew, a seafood meal, snacks, local dessert, an open bar, and a broad range of water equipment.

If you only want a short boat trip and a quick swim, the price may feel high. You are paying for a full half-day and a more complete service, so it makes the most sense when you plan to eat onboard, use the equipment, and spend much of the time on the boat.

The food is another important part of the calculation. A fresh meal made onboard is different from carrying a packed lunch, and the cheese, cold cuts, fruit, dessert, coffee, and drinks add up quickly if bought separately. The included facilities also remove some common annoyances from a long day at sea.

Private pickup and transfers are not included. If you are not near central Heraklion or the meeting point, you may need to arrange your own transport. Cocktails cost extra, and gratuities are optional. These are small points, but they help you set a realistic total budget.

The cruise is often booked about 13 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. The 99 percent recommendation rate and 5-star score from 143 ratings suggest strong satisfaction, but the best match is still someone who values food, comfort, and service more than a low fare.

Who Will Enjoy This Dia Island Cruise?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, small groups of friends, and cruise passengers with a free day in Heraklion. It offers several activity levels, so one person can snorkel while another sits on deck with lunch.

It also suits people who like an organized day but do not want a rigid sightseeing schedule. Once you reach the bay, you have choices rather than a list of timed tasks. The crew manages the boat, food, equipment, and drinks, while you decide how active to be.

This may not suit you if you dislike group activities, want a private charter, or mainly want to walk around an island. The boat carries up to 25 people, and the main stop is a bay-based water outing rather than a cultural visit. There is no private transportation included, either.

The trip requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not reached.

Booking, Cancellation, and Practical Details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. The meeting point is Cafe Marina, Leof. Nearchou, Heraklion 712 02, Greece, with the cruise returning there after the outing.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Crete.

Bring the mindset for a water day: you will spend hours outdoors, around food, drinks, and swimming equipment. Since no hotel transfer is included, allow enough time to reach Cafe Marina without rushing.

Should You Book the Eos Yachts Cruise?

Book it if you want a polished half-day at sea, not simply transportation to Dia Island. The combination of a small maximum group, fresh lunch, open bar, professional crew, and included water gear gives the day more substance than a basic sightseeing cruise.

I would be especially tempted by the 3:30 pm departure if you like sunset views, or by an earlier sailing if swimming and snorkeling are your main goals. Skip it if $145 feels too steep for a group boat, if you need a private trip, or if your main interest is exploring the island on foot.

For most people who value comfort, food, and an easygoing day on the water, this is a strong choice. Just confirm your menu preference, ask about any dietary needs, arrange transport to the marina, and reserve the sea scooter in advance if you want one.

FAQ

Where does the Dia Island catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Cafe Marina, Leof. Nearchou, Iraklio 712 02, Greece.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

How much time is spent at Dia Island?

The stop at Dia Island lasts about three hours.

What drinks are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a fresh seafood Mediterranean menu, salads, and menu choices including seafood, vegetarian, and meat dishes. Cheese, cold cuts, fruit, dessert, coffee, tea, and snacks are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, swimming vests, SUP equipment, fishing gear, canoe boards, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles are provided. A sea scooter requires advance booking and costs extra.