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

Clear water, good food, and a calm bay await. This five-and-a-half-hour cruise from Heraklion combines a comfortable catamaran ride with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, and a freshly prepared Mediterranean meal. I especially like the generous water equipment and the all-inclusive drinks, which make the day easy once you step aboard.

The second strength is the crew. Reviews repeatedly praise the captain, chef, and assistant for being attentive without making the cruise feel formal. My main caution is the price: at $145.18 per person, this is not a cheap boat trip, and the value depends on how much you eat, drink, and use the equipment.

Key points to know before booking

• Dia Island is the only stop: You spend about three hours anchored in a peaceful bay rather than racing between several coastal sights.
• Lunch is prepared onboard: The menu includes seafood risotto with kantaifi-wrapped shrimp, spinach lasagna, or chicken lasagna, plus salads.
• The open bar is practical: Water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• Water activities are included: Snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, SUP boards, fishing gear, a canoe board, noodles, and inflatable toys are available.
• The group is limited to 25 people: That is small enough to feel more personal than a large excursion boat.
• A late departure can bring sunset views: The 3:30 pm sailing has been praised for its sunset setting at sea.

Leaving Heraklion for Dia Island

The cruise begins at Cafe Marina on Leof. Nearchou in Heraklion, close to the port and public transportation. That location is useful if you are staying in the city or arriving by cruise ship, although private pickup is not included unless arranged in advance.

The catamaran ride lasts about five and a half hours in total. The only listed stop is Dia Island, so the day has a simple rhythm: board, settle in with a welcome drink and Cretan snacks, sail out, spend several hours in the bay, eat and relax, then return to the same meeting point.

That simplicity is part of the appeal. You are not constantly checking the clock for the next stop. The crew can focus on finding a good anchorage and keeping the day relaxed. One especially useful detail from the feedback is that the captain anchored close to shore in a good section of the bay, making it easier to combine swimming from the boat with time near the island.

The group limit of 25 people matters here. It does not make the yacht private, but it should feel less crowded than a large day boat. You can still expect a shared outing, yet there is enough room for the crew to help with equipment and food.

Three hours in Dia’s peaceful bay

Dia is the main event. The boat anchors in a quiet bay surrounded by turquoise water, and you have roughly three hours for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, or simply sitting on deck.

I like that the activities are flexible. You do not need to commit to one organized program. You can try a little snorkeling, take a turn on a SUP board, cool off with a swim, and then return to the catamaran for fruit or a drink. If you prefer a slower day, the boat also gives you a comfortable base for reading, talking, and watching the water.

The included gear adds real value. Snorkeling equipment and swimming vests are provided, along with SUP boards, fishing gear, a canoe board, swimming noodles, and inflatable sea toys. You avoid the nuisance of renting separate equipment or packing bulky gear for a single afternoon.

The description does not promise a guided snorkeling tour, a specific marine life sighting, or a walk on Dia Island. That distinction is important. This is primarily a bay-and-boat day, not a hiking or cultural visit. If you want long time ashore, archaeological sites, or a detailed island tour, this will not be the right format.

The island stop is also weather dependent. Wind and sea conditions can affect the route or lead to cancellation, so keep some flexibility in your Crete plans.

Food that makes the price easier to justify

The food is one of the strongest parts of this cruise. A welcome coffee comes with Cretan delicacies, followed by gourmet platters of assorted cheeses and cold cuts. Seasonal fruit and a local Cretan dessert add smaller bites before or after the main meal.

Lunch is prepared fresh onboard using local ingredients. All main courses come with fresh salads, and you can choose among four listed options:

• Seafood risotto with a mix of seafood and kantaifi-wrapped tempura shrimp
• Spinach lasagna with béchamel, inspired by moussaka
• Chicken lasagna with mushrooms and colorful peppers
• A further menu choice presented when reserving the cruise

The supplied menu information is slightly unclear because it describes three named main courses while referring to four options. I would check the selection process when booking, especially if you have dietary needs. The vegetarian dish gives you a clear meat-free option, but no detailed information is provided about vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly meals.

The repeated praise for the cooking is significant because onboard meals can easily be an afterthought. Here, the food is treated as part of the main attraction. You get more than a basic sandwich, and the included platters, fruit, dessert, coffee, and drinks can make the $145.18 fare more reasonable.

Still, food value varies by appetite. If you rarely drink alcohol or do not care about a full meal, you may find a simpler boat trip cheaper. If you enjoy lingering over lunch and sampling several small dishes during a day on the water, the package makes better financial sense.

Open bar, drinks, and the small-print extras

The all-inclusive bar covers unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. The minimum drinking age for alcohol is 18. That is a useful setup because you do not need to keep track of every bottle or soft drink during the afternoon.

Cocktails are not included, though they can be requested for an additional charge. A sea scooter is also extra and requires advance booking, with priority given in booking order. Gratuities are optional.

The open bar should not be mistaken for a full premium cocktail service. It is a straightforward selection suited to lunch, relaxation, and an afternoon on deck. For many people, that is all they need. Families and non-drinkers also benefit from unlimited water and soft drinks.

Because alcohol is available during a water-based activity, sensible pacing matters. Swimming and paddleboarding are more enjoyable when you are not overdoing the wine or beer.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is qualified, certified, and English speaking. The strongest praise focuses on the captain, chef, and assistant, with special attention to their professionalism, friendliness, and care.

That combination matters more on a catamaran than it does on a standard bus tour. The crew handles anchoring, food preparation, equipment, safety, and the general mood onboard. A good crew can make shared space feel relaxed rather than awkward.

Specific feedback describes the crew as attentive while maintaining a laid-back atmosphere. That is the balance I would want here. You are paying for a polished outing, but not for a stiff or overly programmed cruise.

The boat also has toilets for men and women, a shower, and free WiFi. Those are small comforts that become important after swimming or several hours at sea. You will still want sun protection, a swimsuit, and a change of clothes, but the onboard facilities reduce the need to rough it.

Timing, sunset, and the return to Heraklion

The listed duration is approximately five hours and 30 minutes, and the cruise ends back at the starting point. The exact sailing time can shape the mood considerably.

A morning or earlier departure gives you a classic swimming-and-lunch outing, with plenty of daylight for the bay. A 3:30 pm departure has a different appeal. It can bring softer light and a sunset at sea, which has been singled out as a memorable part of the trip.

The late option may suit couples and anyone who prefers a cooler afternoon. It may be less useful if your main goal is maximum time in bright daylight for snorkeling and paddleboarding. Check the available departure time before booking rather than assuming every sailing has the same schedule.

For cruise ship passengers, the port location is convenient, and one review described the outing as a favorite port-of-call activity. You should still allow a sensible margin around your ship schedule because the published duration is approximate and sea conditions can change timing.

Is $145.18 a fair price?

At $145.18 per person, this cruise sits in the premium day-trip range. The fare includes the catamaran, crew, lunch, welcome coffee, Cretan snacks, cheese and cold-cut platters, fruit, dessert, unlimited water, soft drinks, local wine, beer, snorkeling gear, swimming vests, SUP boards, fishing gear, a canoe board, inflatables, WiFi, and onboard facilities.

That is a long list, but value depends on how you use it. The price works best for you if you want an easy package with food and drinks already handled. It is also a strong fit if you expect to spend several hours swimming and using the equipment rather than simply taking a short scenic sail.

The fare works less well if you want only a boat ride, do not drink, or prefer to bring your own meal. Private transportation is not included, and cocktails and the sea scooter cost extra. Tips are left to your discretion.

The 25-person maximum helps support the higher price. You are paying for a smaller shared outing rather than a very large boat carrying as many people as possible. It is not a private charter, but the limited capacity should give the crew more room to provide personal attention.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families with older children, cruise passengers, and anyone who wants several hours on the water without organizing every detail separately. The mix of swimming, food, drinks, and equipment makes it easy to build your own pace.

It is also a good option for a mixed group. One person can snorkel, another can use a SUP, and someone else can remain on deck with a coffee and dessert. That flexibility is more useful than a tightly scheduled activity when people have different ideas of a perfect beach day.

You may want another experience if you dislike shared boat outings, need a fully private setting, or want a long island walk. It may also be a poor fit if you have serious dietary restrictions that require confirmed meal preparation, since only a few menu choices are clearly described.

The cruise requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If conditions are poor or the minimum is not met, you can receive a different date or a full refund, according to the stated policy.

Practical details before you reserve

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a light cover-up for the ride back. The boat provides swimming vests and activity equipment, but the supplied information does not specify whether towels are provided, so I would not assume they are.

You receive booking confirmation at the time of reservation. The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. The meeting point is near public transportation, and private pickup or transfer can be requested separately.

Cancellation is free 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, and the cut-off follows local time.

Should you book the Dia Island catamaran cruise?

Yes, if you want a polished, food-focused day on the water with plenty of included activities. The strongest reasons to book are the attentive crew, fresh onboard lunch, generous equipment selection, small group limit, and the freedom to spend three hours in Dia’s bay at your own pace.

I would hesitate only if the $145.18 price stretches your budget or if you want more time walking around the island. For a relaxed all-in-one sailing day from Heraklion, Eos Yachts offers a well-rounded package. Choose the 3:30 pm departure if sunset matters most. Choose an earlier sailing if swimming and water activities are your priority.

FAQ

Where does the Dia Island catamaran cruise start?

It starts at Cafe Marina, Leof. Nearchou, Iraklio 712 02, Greece. The cruise also returns to this meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

How long do you spend at Dia Island?

The listed stop at Dia Island lasts about three hours.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer are included. The minimum drinking age for alcohol is 18. Cocktails are available on request but are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes a freshly prepared premium seafood and Mediterranean lunch, with salads. Menu choices include seafood risotto with shrimp, spinach lasagna, and chicken lasagna.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and swimming vests are included. SUP equipment, fishing gear, a canoe board, inflatable sea toys, and swimming noodles are also available.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. A full refund is also offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the cruise is canceled.