Private Full Day Sailing Trip

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Set sail to a unique destination

Duration

6 h
30 m

Tour Type

Private

Max Capacity

100 people

Languages

English, Greek

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

  • Unwind and embrace a full day of leisure, with ample time to relax and enjoy the tranquil pace of life at sea.

  • Sail the stunning Cretan Sea aboard your private exclusive yacht.

  • Explore the Mediterranean marine life with complimentary snorkeling gear.

  • Experience the excitement of fishing with all equipment provided.

  • Indulge in a freshly prepared meal onboard (available as an optional add-on).

  • Take advantage of our convenient hotel transfer service for a seamless experience.

  • Included

  • Unlimited Refreshments 🥤: Soft drinks, bottled water, and white wine

  • Snorkeling Gear 🤿: Coplimentary full snorkeling equipment for your underwater adventure

  • Fishing Equipment 🎣: Full fishing set provided onboard for those interested

  • Boat Rental with Skipper ⚓: Enjoy a day aboard your private yacht with a professional skipper and crew

  • Optional Add-on: Full menu🍴 (choose from four different menu options to savor a freshly prepared meal onboard)

  • Optional Add-on: Transfers🚖 (private transfers available from anywhere in Crete)

  • 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

    Durations

    6 - 8 hours

    Languages

    Locations-For-Activity

    Heraklion

    Crete

    Tour's Location

    Leof. Nearchou, Nea Alikarnassos 716 01, Greece

    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

    0/5

    Excellent

    (33 reviews)
    Pinzas
    0/5

    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.

    13/08/2024
    Kirsten N
    0/5

    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!

    18/06/2025
    Neil O
    0/5

    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!

    17/07/2024
    Jaime
    0/5

    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!

    27/05/2025
    Elaine M.
    0/5

    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.

    22/03/2025
    Dan
    0/5

    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

    24/09/2024
    Vassilis Dalakas
    0/5

    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!

    19/06/2024
    Michał Romanowski
    0/5
    It was the most lovely cruise I ever was on. Big shout-out to Markos and Dimitrios (I hope that I’ve written the names correctly) for ensuring that the trip was really perfect. I have no words to describe how awesome everything was – from discussion about the Greek history to the food these guys prepared!
    08/09/2024
    Wayne Burt
    0/5
    Fantastic trip. Sail out under wind power, snorkeling in the bay at Dias. A great sunset meal and then back. Crew super friendly. Highly recommended
    17/10/2024
    Raul Ramirez
    0/5
    Great sailing trip with Mario and Iliana! Highly recommend ! We had a great time on the way to the island, had enough time to swim and make it to the beach, and had a great time on the way back to crete. I highly recommend booking with them
    14/11/2024
    Travel Guy
    0/5
    Unforgettable Trip with a lovely crew. Totally worth every cent and so much more. Delicious food and I never felt unsafe. Go on. We will come again!!
    11/05/2025
    Katerina
    0/5
    Sailing trip it was a great experience that you have to do! Charalampos and Marcos made this experience even better as they were very friendly and professional! It was a very well spend day that you will made unforgettable experiences and visit Dia in the best way (sailing). Food, drinks and service was excellent! Thank you for that peaceful and unique experience!
    13/04/2024
    Belle Eurlings
    0/5
    This was a great experience with Marissa and Nikiforos. Sun, sea. Good vibes, greek love 💙
    22/07/2025
    Scott
    0/5

    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

    06/09/2024
    James Armstrong
    0/5
    I had an amazing time with the SailingTrips team. I did 6 days in a row and now I’m back in rainy London I miss the swimming, the conversations, the soggy bread and Polina letting me by the second captain for the day. Everyone was so nice and I’ll definitely be back next summer. I would recommend these guys to anyone, they’re awesome!
    02/10/2024
    Diego Paraizo Garcia
    0/5
    Adoramos o passeio. O pessoal do escritório foi muito atencioso, nos buscaram no porto de cruzeiros, sempre muito comunicativos. O Marcus é uma simpatia. O passeio foi muito agradável e a salada estava ótima. Recomendo.
    18/12/2024
    YesMiss Paris
    0/5
    Markos and Versailles were AMAZING! The trip was definitely a 10/10. I would highly recommend
    13/07/2023
    Lindsay
    0/5
    We had the private boat trip to Dia island. Very well organised trip. The team is very caring and helpful, not only during the trip but also regarding any questions beforehand. We sailed with Nikos and Kostas, who were very professional and made it possible, that even people who were a bit anxious in the beginning felt save. The food was fantastic. Definitely a once in lifetime experience. Book it, you will not regret it, 10/10!
    26/04/2024
    Brianna B
    0/5
    We did a private half day sailing cruise to Dia. We did this on one of our last days of our honeymoon. It was such a wonderful experience. A little rough getting out to the island on the water but overall so enjoyable. The crew made sure we had the best time. The food and especially the fruit were so wonderful. They surprised us with some desserts on the deck for celebrating our wedding. We got to snorkel and see the island which we wouldn’t of otherwise. We also had a transfer to and from our hotel which made everything super easy! I would 10/10 recommend!
    18/10/2023
    séverine ROUET
    0/5
    Superbe expérience a ne pas rater si vous êtes sur Heraklion🤗 Marcos et son équipage étaient aux petits soins ; bonne humeur et moment extraordinaire en perspective ! Le repas était copieux et bien local, tout était vraiment parfait 🙃Merci à eux, nous referons volontier avec chaussures et sac étanche si nous revenons, je recommande les yeux fermés !
    22/05/2024
    Gracey Hewitt
    0/5
    This is genuinely one of the best excursions we have ever been on, Alex and Konstantinos were very knowledgable & couldn’t do enough for you. I would 100% recommend!
    07/12/2024
    frederic launoy
    0/5
    We had a great time with Marcos and Yaris who took us to the dia island. Marcos was very friendly and patient to teach my 9-year-old son hiw to use the fishing line. Gorgeous place for snorkeling. Service was impeccable and food was very good.
    21/07/2024
    Lucie prft
    0/5
    Superbe après-midi ! Paysages très beaux, nous avons pu nager, observer les poissons, nous rendre sur l’île, nous reposer et pêcher !
    Nous avons un transfert gratuit aller-retour de notre hôtel vers l’activité, le conducteur était sympathique.
    28/05/2024
    Lukasz Stawujak
    0/5
    I recommend it as an exceptionally cool experience, great team and leading the entire trip
    25/02/2024
    Traci Dobson
    0/5
    The perfect sailing trip. We had a private booking with Yannis and Gianna and they were exceptionally patient and engaged with our excited 9 year old. He got to help with the sails and drive the ship; on top of an already wonderful day of snorkeling, swimming and fishing. The cherry on top was spotting a dolphin mom and calf on the way back (although do not expect this, it’s fairly rare). All the boats go to the same bay so there is no variation there but having our own boat and crew was pretty fantastic.
    30/04/2024
    Damian Parker
    0/5
    Amazing day! Dimitris and Mario were great hosts. We enjoyed it so much we did the day again later in the week. The boat was very well stocked with food and drinks and the lunch cooked in the boat was top notch! Thank you both!
    28/06/2023
    Ana Maria Sandulescu
    0/5
    I was on the boat one day with 9 other friends, we felt wonderful, the captain Dimitris 🛥️ did everything to make it a wonderful day on the water. He was very kind and attentive to everything, he offered us very good food, drinks, fruits, he found a wonderful place where we stayed for a few hours and swam, the perfect atmosphere for a wonderful vacation. It was a perfect day with lots of sun☀️and wonderful people. The best captain , go out on the water with confidence with him, it will be a wonderful day✨🛥️
    20/02/2024
    Alan
    0/5
    Our trip to Dia island was perfect. Marcus and Dennis were amazing, fun and helpful.
    Would definitely recommend these guys!
    19/11/2024
    Melina U.
    0/5
    We sailed from Heraklion to the island of Dia in the morning. Both the captain and the co-captain were really nice and helpful. After we arrived at Dia, we went snorkelling in a beautiful bay, which seamed rather clear at first but revealed more and more sea life the longer you looked around. Afterwards we got really nice lunch on the boat. The weather was perfect, with calm sea and blazing sunshine, which certainly is an important aspect to make the trip as nice as it was.
    I would do it again in an instant!
    27/04/2024
    Bobur Ashurov
    0/5
    We booked a private tour for our father’s birthday. Our captain Anis and his assistant Irini were great – highly experienced and nice people. We felt safe and well-informed at all times. Tip: you may feel heavy motion-sickness if you are new to sailing.
    09/03/2023
    Sonja H.
    0/5
    Wir haben bei dem gebuchten Ausflug (Half Day Trip Dia Island) sehr viel Spaß gehabt: die Fahrt selbst hat uns sehr gefallen sowie auch der Aufenthalt bei der Insel. Dort ist das Wasser sehr klar und viele Fische zu sehen. Das Essen hat uns geschmeckt und vor allem war die Crew unfassbar lieb und witzig. Das empfehlen wir gerne weiter!
    Vielen Dank an Vasili & Vasili 🙂
    16/06/2024
    pascale wunsch
    0/5
    Journée exceptionnelle !! Merci à l’équipage pour sa gentillesse. Nous nous sommes senties privilégiées. Très bonne nourriture et île de Dia magnifique 😊
    17/03/2025
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