Unwind and embrace a full day of leisure, with ample time to relax and enjoy the tranquil pace of life at sea.
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About this tour
Embark on a Full-Day Private Sailing Adventure to Dia Island, Crete!
A Full Day of Leisure and Relaxation- Your Private Yachting Experience >>
Spend a relaxing 8 hours aboard your private yacht, with plenty of time to unwind and enjoy the stunning waters of Dia Island. Explore two unique bays: one vibrant and livelier, the other tranquil and secluded- just the ultimate way to get away from it all.
Whether you’re looking to relax in solitude or experience the beauty and history of the island, this trips ensures you’ll have ample time to enjoy both at your own pace.
Dia Island- a beloved destination of Crete’s northern coast >>
Dia, an uninhabited, environmentally protected island, with wild scenic backdrops. Known for its crystal-clear waters, captivating Mediterranean landscapes, and rich historical heritage.
Set Sail for an Exclusive Mediterranean Escape>>
Enjoy the thrill of private sailing in the stunning waters of Crete. With perfect winds and an endless blue horizon, our yacht offers an authentic luxurious experience on the Mediterranean Sea.
Reserve Your Day on the Water Now >
👥 Capacity (choose your boat) : Elan 37-up to 8 | Bavaria 45-up to 17 | Bavaria 46-up to 10| Dufour 520-up to 24
🕒 Itinerary: 9:30-17:30
⚓ Place of embarkation/disembarkation: Old port of Heraklion
-For groups larger than 10 people, please contact our team to inform you about the rates applicable and help you with your booking-
Highlights
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Timeline
- 09:30
Departure from Heraklion's old port
Set sail from the Venetian Port of Heraklion, enjoying views of the coastline as we make our way toward Dia Island. (The listed times and places are suggestions and may vary depending on your preferences. Upon boarding, you can discuss with the skipper to tailor the itinerary to your desired pace.)Heraklion’s Old Port
- 10:30
Arriving at St. George's Bay at Dia Island
We’ll anchor in St. George’s Bay, a tranquil, wind-protected natural harbor. The boat will get as close to the shore as possible, allowing you to swim to the beach or relax onboard while enjoying the surrounding views.Dia Island- St. George’s Bay
Free Time for Snorkeling, Swimming, and Fishing
From 10:30 to 12:30, enjoy plenty of free time to snorkel, swim, or try your hand at fishing in the crystal-clear waters. If you prefer, simply relax on deck and soak up the Cretan sun.Dia island
Lunch Time (optional)
If you’ve added a meal enjoy your lunch from 12:30 to 13:30 against the stunning backdrops. We offer a selection of meal options, which you can select and add to your booking, during the check-out, or any time later by contacting our team. (Please note, the meal is not included in the base price.)Dia island
- 13:30
Explore a Different Bay of the Island
Set sail to either Agrilia Bay (WIld Olive Tree Bay) or Panagia Bay (Holy Mary Bay), each offering its own unique charm. Both are quieter, more secluded spots ideal for unwinding.Dia Island
Extra Leisure Time at the Secluded Bay
Relax and enjoy the peace of the bay from 14:00 to 16:00. You’ll have ample time to explore, swim, or simply unwind in the tranquility of your surroundings.Dia island
- 16:00
Departure for Heraklion
Begin the return journey to Heraklion, allowing you to take in the panoramic views of Crete’s coastline as you sail back.Dia Island
- 17:30
Arrival at Heraklion’s Old Port
Heraklion’s Old Port
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Questions about Private Full Day Sailing Trip
What should I bring on the trip?
Recommended items include swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel. If it’s windy, you may want to keep your hat for when you’re on the island rather than while sailing. If you are booking at the beginning or end of the summer season better bring a light jacket with you.
It’s also important to have a hard copy or a digital copy (photo) of an identification document, such as an ID or passport (be aware that driver’s licenses are not accepted by port authorities).
If you haven’t added a meal to your booking, or even if you have, feel free to bring your own snacks onboard. There is a refrigerator available for use, and you can ask the crew to store your items as needed.How do I get to the meeting point?
You can easily find this location on Google Maps by searching for “Boat trips to Dia Island – Meeting Point”. You can reach the port by car, taxi, or public transportation.If you prefer, we can assist you with arranging your transportation to and from the departure point. If you’re driving yourself, we recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
There is no need to find the boat on your own- you can wait at the designated meeting spot, and one of our team members will meet you there and guide you to the boat.
If you anticipate being late, please notify us in advance.Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes, we provide complimentary snorkeling gear for all guests, including masks, snorkels and fins. If you have special size requirements (eg. very large shoe sizes) let us know in advance, as we may not have fins that will fit. Our crew is always available to assist you with the snorkeling equipment and can show you how to use it if you haven’t snorkeled before.
Please be patient and give yourself time while snorkeling. You can also ask the skipper to point-out the best snorkeling spots for a more rewarding experience.Can beginners participate in fishing?
Yes, anyone can try their hand at fishing! It can be such a fun and engaging activity, especially for children, but also enjoyable for adults. The fishing equipment is always available on board, stored inside the boat for safety reasons. Upon arriving at the island, anyone interested can ask the crew to provide it and show them how to use it. We encourage everyone to follow the crew’s instructions for a fun and safe experience. For sustainability reasons, we practice catch and release, ensuring that all fish are returned to the sea.
Is food included?
A fruit salad with seasonal fruits is included in our private trips. You can always elevate your experience by adding a freshly prepared meal from our menu options for you to enjoy on board. You can select your preferred menu option (chicken, vegan, fish or snack menu) during checkout when booking. However, if you haven’t decided yet, there’s no problem- book your trip and contact our support team any time later to add meals.
If you have special dietary restrictions or preferences, just let know, and we’ll make every effort to cater to your needs.
Prefer to bring your own food or snacks? Feel free to do so- the day is all yours to enjoy!Are there any age restrictions for children?
Our private trips are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages, including infants. There are no age restrictions, and we are happy to welcome your littler ones aboard. Parental suprvision is required during activities such as snorkeling and fishing.
During the trip you can also use the cabins to let your child sleep while the boat isn’t traveling. If you have any special preferences or dietary needs for your child, please let us know in advance, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.What happens in case of bad weather?
During the summer, it’s common for weather conditions to get windy due to local phenomena, which often provide ideal conditions for sailing. This is not a reason for us to cancel the trip. If conditions become extreme (e.g. very high winds, raining), we will reach out to you to either reschedule or cancel the trip with a full refund.
Due to the island’s microclimate effects, weather forecasts can change frequently, and we may need to notify you of cancellations at the last minute.
If you prefer not to sail due to weather conditions, but all our trips are running normally, we cannot guarantee you a full refund. If you have concerns about wind conditions, we recommend checking weather forecast two days prior to your trip to remain flexible and cancel without any fees.Is transportation to and from my hotel available?
Yes, transportation services are available. We offer private transfer services from any location in Crete at an additional cost. Transfers rates are provided for up to 8 guests, according to the vehicle’s capacity. If your group exceeds 8 people, a second vehicle will be required, and the pricing will be adjusted accordingly.
You can check the aplicalbe rates and add the transfer service at checkout. If not selected during booking, it can still be arranged later by contacting our team.
If you require a baby or child seat, kindly let us know in advance so we can arrange it for you.Is there parking available near the meeting point?
Yes, there is a public parking area located just a 2-3 minute walk from our meeting point at the port. The parking area is called Parking Port P1, and it costs 3 euros per day. You can find it easily upon entering the marina port area on your right.
Reviews
Excellent
Absolutely spectacular. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
An incredible experience! A true memory of my vacation.
The two crew members were delightful. Very friendly and experienced. The boat was super comfortable and cozy. I expected to get seasick, but I didn’t. Others did, and they offered them motion sickness pills and chewing gum, which they said worked well.
We stopped for three hours at Dia. It was beautiful! I tried paddleboarding, swam, and sunbathed. Afterward, we had a delicious lunch: linguine, shrimp, Greek salad, and fresh fruit. Delicious!
Upon returning, everyone slept for almost an hour. It was incredibly peaceful, rocking gently on the waves.
Amazing experience!
This excursion was one of the highlights of our visit to Greece. The crew was amazing, the cruise was beautiful, and the food was incredible. Overall, the atmosphere is very relaxed. There’s plenty of time to snorkel, use the paddleboards, or float with Lily the flamingo. Dia Iland has an interesting history, which the crew will tell you about. Our cruise coincided with my birthday, so the crew organized a lovely impromptu celebration; they even gave me a bottle of wine and, of course, a slice of cake. Wesley and Captain Kristina (I hope I spelled that right!) are true professionals with amazing personalities. Definitely book this for your visit to beautiful Greece!Amazing experience!
The best day of our vacation
An absolutely wonderful day. The sea was challenging, but our captain handled it masterfully and took everything in stride. We learned so much about Dia Island and its history, swam, snorkeled, drank, and ate wonderfully. It was worth every penny! Highly recommended!
An Unforgettable Sailing Experience
Our sailing day was absolutely fantastic! From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. The hosts were incredibly friendly and attentive, making us feel at home and comfortable throughout the trip. The food and wine on board were delicious: fresh, flavorful, and perfectly paired. All in all, it was a perfect day filled with beautiful views, excellent company, and wonderful hospitality. We highly recommend this experience and hope to repeat it!
Beautiful trip, I really enjoyed it, thank you.
A great boat trip with swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and diving. The crew was great and very easygoing. My kids had a great time. Thank you all.
Amazing trip!! Would recommend to everyone.
Food was great, transfer was on time, boat was lovely and plenty of time for swimming in a lovely bay on the island
We used this company for the half-day sailing trip from Heraklio to Dia island and it was a truly fantastic experience that my wife and I enjoyed thoroughly! First, we appreciated all the communication before the day of our trip, with all the practical information regarding the trip, which made the preparations and planning simple and easy.
The trip itself is awesome in all respects and definitely something one should do if they visit the area of Heraklio. The sailing experience is exciting, the water at Dia is marvelous, the meal is delicious, and the staff is amazing! Our captain and co-captain were Markos and Magda and they were the perfect combination of knowledge, competence, and efficiency along with superb Greek warmth, hospitality, and kindness!
This trip was a wonderful memory from our trip to Crete and we highly recommend it!
This afternoon I went on a trip to Dia Island of the coast of Heraklion, and had to leave a review, because of how incredible it was.
I suffer from severe Anxiety Disorder and have a fear of sailing boats due to a bad past experience, so getting onboard was a little tough. However, our Captain, Marcus, and his First Mate, Magda, were amazing hosts. They had such a pleasant and confident attitude and were very professional at all times, I felt completely safe and welcome.
I would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to do something like this, it really is a memorable experience. We got to snorkle and see some fantastic sights. It was super relaxing.
Thank you to Marcus, Magda, the driver who collected us from our hotel door and to Sailingtrips.gr. Everything was perfect, including the meal onboard
Nous avons un transfert gratuit aller-retour de notre hôtel vers l’activité, le conducteur était sympathique.
Would definitely recommend these guys!
I would do it again in an instant!
Vielen Dank an Vasili & Vasili 🙂

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