Sail to the uninhabited island of Dia — Crete's own private Aegean escape — aboard a luxury catamaran, snorkel crystal-clear protected waters teeming with marine life, and feast on a freshly prepared Cretan lunch on deck. Just 8 nautical miles from Heraklion, Dia feels like the end of the world.
What to expect
Depart Heraklion marina on a modern catamaran and reach Dia in roughly 45 minutes of sailing with the Cretan mountains as your backdrop. Anchor in sheltered coves where the water shifts from sapphire to jade, and snorkel over rock formations home to octopus, sea bream, and sea turtles. On deck, the crew prepares a generous Cretan mezze — local cheeses, grilled fish, dakos, and chilled Assyrtiko wine. The return sail in the afternoon light, with Heraklion's Venetian harbour coming into view, is genuinely cinematic.
Good to know
Departures from Heraklion Marina, roughly a 5-min walk from the port entrance. Most cruises run 9:00–14:00 or 10:00–15:00, comfortably within all-aboard windows — confirm your ship's all-aboard time and book the morning departure. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a light cover-up. Pre-booking is essential in summer as boats fill quickly.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Iraklion (Heraklion) — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Iraklion (Heraklion)
- Knossos Palace: Private Guided Tour of Europe's Oldest City
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Private Expert-Led Discovery
- Lyrarakis Winery: Private Tasting of Crete's Rarest Indigenous Varietals
- Koules Fortress & Venetian Harbour: Private Walking History of Heraklion
- Samaria Gorge: Private Day Trek in Europe's Longest Canyon