Heraklion: Sailing Trip to Dia Island with Lunch & Swimming

Dia Island is the reason to book this trip. Six nautical miles north of Heraklion, the uninhabited island gives you a quiet blue-water stop far removed from Crete’s busy resort beaches. You sail there, anchor in Saint George Bay, then spend about three hours swimming, snorkeling, fishing, paddleboarding, sunbathing, and eating lunch on board.

I like the small group of up to eight people, which makes the boat feel personal rather than crowded. I also like the practical all-in-one setup: lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkel gear, fishing equipment, and a SUP are included. The main consideration is the long sailing time, about 80 minutes each way, and the food is good and convenient rather than a special restaurant meal.

Key points to know before booking

• Dia Island is six nautical miles from Heraklion, with a three-hour stop at Saint George Bay.
• The boat carries no more than eight participants, giving you more room on deck and easier access to the water gear.
• Lunch includes shrimp pasta, Greek salad, and fruit, with gluten-free and vegan choices available.
• Unlimited white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the trip.
• Swimming, snorkeling, SUP paddleboarding, and fishing are all part of the day, with equipment provided.
• Optional minivan transfers run from selected bus stops around Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Gouves, and other resort areas.

Why the six-hour trip to Dia Island works

This is best understood as a full day on the water, not a quick boat ride with a short photo stop. The appeal is the slow rhythm: sail out from Crete, spend several hours anchored in a clear bay, then sail home with time to relax on deck.

At $67 per person, the price is strong for a six-hour cruise that includes food, drinks, crew, insurance, and several water activities. You are not paying just for transport to an island. You are buying a floating picnic, a swimming stop, and a chance to try several activities without renting gear separately.

The small group matters. With space for only eight participants, you should have a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit, reaching the SUP, and getting help from the crew. It also suits people who enjoy talking with others without being packed onto a large excursion boat.

The experience is less ideal if you want to spend most of the day walking on Dia Island. The main stop is in Saint George Bay, and the advertised activities focus on the water and the boat. You can take the paddleboard out around the bay, but this is not a hiking tour or a formal island sightseeing visit.

Meeting the boat at Heraklion Port

For the self-arrival option, go to the Old Anchor monument near Marina Cafe. A Set Sails representative meets you there and walks you to the boat. Parking is available near the meeting point, which helps if you have a rental car.

Allow a little extra time to find the monument and the marina area. The activity begins with a walk and a safety briefing before departure. Bring your passport or ID card, since the port authority requires the full names, passport numbers, and countries of origin for everyone aboard.

If you choose transport, the provider uses an air-conditioned minivan from selected city bus stops. Pickup areas include Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Gouves, Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gournes, Kokkini Hani, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia, and Lygaria.

This is not automatically door-to-door hotel pickup. Check the exact pickup point for your booking, since the long list of resort areas does not mean the van stops at every hotel. The transfer option is most useful if you are staying outside Heraklion and do not want to arrange a taxi or drive to the port.

Sailing north along the Cretan coast

The trip to Dia takes about 80 minutes. That is a good length for settling into the day, but you should be comfortable with open-water travel and sitting on a boat for a while.

The reward is the changing view back toward Crete. From the water, the rugged coastline looks different from the road or a hotel balcony. Keep an eye out for dolphins, which are sometimes seen during the crossing, though wildlife sightings can never be promised.

This part of the day is not filled with constant commentary or formal entertainment. The crew guides the sailing and keeps an eye on safety, while you can sit, talk, take pictures, listen to music, or simply watch the water. Several crew members have been praised for being attentive without hovering, a useful balance on a small boat.

Names associated with the crew include George, Vaso, Spiros, Marina, Eva, Marco, Nick, Niko, Dimitri, and Giorgious. The team changes, so you cannot assume a particular captain will be working on your date. Still, the repeated praise for friendly and helpful crew members is important because good service makes a real difference on a six-hour boat trip.

Saint George Bay and the blue water stop

Dia is a small, uninhabited island linked to Greek mythology. The island is often described as mysterious, but the practical attraction is simpler: clear water, open views, and a quiet bay where the boat can anchor.

The three-hour stop at Saint George Bay is the heart of the experience. You can swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, try the SUP, fish, sunbathe, or stay in the shade and enjoy a drink. You are not rushed through a ten-minute swim before moving on.

The water is deep around the boat, so this stop suits confident swimmers best. Life jackets and pool noodles are available, and the crew can help you use the equipment. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the crew before getting into the water and use the supplied flotation aids.

Snorkeling gives you a way to look below the surface, though the focus here is relaxed water time rather than a guided marine-life tour. Fishing equipment is included, which adds a nice bit of variety for children and anyone who prefers a slower activity. You might catch something, but the point is trying your luck, not a guaranteed fishing result.

The SUP is especially useful because it lets you move beyond the immediate side of the boat. You can paddle around the bay and get a different angle on the island. Access to shared equipment depends on the group, so do not expect to have the board to yourself for the full stop.

Other boats may be anchored nearby. Saint George Bay is not a private cove, and you should not expect complete solitude. Still, the small group and the open water give you room to swim and use the equipment without the feel of a packed party cruise.

Lunch with shrimp pasta and unlimited drinks

Lunch is served on board, which keeps the day moving and means you do not need to pack a full meal. The standard menu includes seafood pasta with shrimp, Greek salad, and fruit salad. Some departures may offer pesto pasta as a substitute, and vegan and gluten-free options are available.

I would describe the food as a solid boat lunch. The shrimp pasta has received particular praise, while one account found the food merely acceptable. That is a fair way to set expectations: this is convenient, generous vacation food served outdoors, not a fine-dining meal.

Unlimited white wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included. This is a meaningful part of the value, especially on a warm Cretan day when you will want regular drinks after swimming. You can have a glass of wine with lunch, a beer on the ride back, or stick with water and soft drinks.

The crew also serves dessert or fruit after the meal. If you have a dietary need, notify the provider in advance even though vegan and gluten-free choices are stated as available. Clear communication is always easier before boarding than once the boat has left port.

The return sail and possible sunset views

After lunch, you have time for another swim before the boat leaves Dia. This second water session is welcome because the first one can pass quickly while you are deciding whether to snorkel, fish, paddle, or simply sit in the sun.

The return sailing takes about 80 minutes. Depending on the departure time and season, you may be on the water during sunset and twilight. Sunset departures are specifically offered, and the return can include views of the sky changing color, Heraklion lights coming on, and stars appearing after dark.

One memorable feature is the possibility of sailing back under wind power rather than using the engine. That depends on the wind and the captain’s judgment, so it is not guaranteed. When conditions allow, it makes the return feel like genuine sailing rather than a standard motorboat transfer.

The boat returns to the meeting point at Heraklion. If you booked a transfer, the minivan takes you back toward your selected drop-off area. The full experience lasts about six hours, but departure times can shift if port authorities issue new instructions or weather creates a safety concern. The captain and crew make the final call.

What the crew adds to the day

A good boat crew does three jobs: keeps the trip safe, serves the meal, and knows when to give people space. That balance comes through in the strongest feedback about this outing.

Crew members named George, Vaso, Spiros, Marina, and others have been singled out for friendly service, good conversation, and practical help. George has been praised for his cooking and for helping children with fishing. Vaso has been noted for her sailing ability and calm handling of the boat.

You should expect a social but not forced atmosphere. With only eight people, you may chat with the other passengers over wine or lunch, but you can also nap, listen to music, or stretch out on deck. This is a better match for people who like an informal shared experience than for anyone seeking a private charter.

The stated language is English. If you have mobility concerns, tell the provider before booking. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and access to a sailing boat, swimming area, and water equipment can be physically demanding.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it for couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who want a relaxed day at sea without arranging several separate activities. The combination of swimming, snorkeling, fishing, SUP, lunch, and drinks gives you plenty to do without turning the day into a rigid schedule.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in Heraklion and want a beach day without using a crowded city beach. The optional transfers make it more practical for people based in the eastern resort belt, although you should confirm the exact bus-stop pickup.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike boats, get seasick, need wheelchair access, or want a long walk on the island. The crossing takes time, and the water near the boat is deep. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, and comfortable footwear is the sensible choice.

Bring swimwear, a towel, comfortable shoes, and your passport or ID card. Sunscreen is a practical addition, although it is not listed in the formal packing information. The deck can feel exposed, so a hat and cover-up may also be useful.

Is $67 good value?

At $67, the trip is good value if you plan to use the inclusions. Lunch alone is not the main reason to book, but the price also covers unlimited drinks, a yacht cruise, captain and crew, insurance, SUP use, snorkeling gear, and fishing equipment.

The value improves for anyone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat excursion, a meal, and water-sports rentals. The small group makes the price more appealing than a basic mass-market cruise, provided the date has space for all eight participants.

The value is less clear if you only want to sit on a beach. You are paying for the crossing and the sailing time as well as the stop. If you see the journey as part of the experience, the price works well. If you regard the boat ride as transport, the day may feel long.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. These policies help if your Crete plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to check weather and departure details close to the date.

Should you book the Dia Island sailing trip?

Book this Set Sails cruise if you want a friendly, small-group day with plenty of swimming and a real sailing component. The strongest reasons are the generous three-hour stop, the included water gear, the unlimited drinks, and the chance of returning under sail at sunset.

Go in with sensible expectations. Dia is not presented as a major walking destination, the food is a practical boat lunch, dolphin sightings are only possible, and the crossing takes nearly three hours in total. For the right person, those are small tradeoffs for a calm day in clear water with a helpful crew.

FAQ

How long does the Dia Island sailing trip last?

The activity lasts about six hours. The sailing time is approximately 80 minutes each way, with about three hours spent at Dia Island.

Where does the cruise start?

The self-arrival meeting point is the Old Anchor monument near Marina Cafe at Heraklion Port. A Set Sails representative meets you there and leads you to the boat.

Is transport from my hotel included?

Optional transfers are available from selected locations and city bus stops in Crete. The service is not automatically hotel door-to-door pickup and drop-off, so check the exact meeting point for your selected option.

What food is served on board?

Lunch includes seafood pasta with shrimp, Greek salad, and fruit salad. Gluten-free and vegan options are available, and pesto pasta may be offered as a substitute.

What drinks are included?

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

Can I swim and snorkel at Dia Island?

Yes. The boat anchors in Saint George Bay, where you can swim and snorkel. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and pool noodles are available.

Is paddleboarding or fishing included?

Yes. SUP paddleboards and fishing equipment are provided as part of the activity.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, swimwear, and a towel. High-heeled shoes are not allowed.