Sailing Trip to Dia Island in Small Group

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Join a sea experience to remember

Duration

4 h
30 m

Tour Type

Shared

Max Capacity

38 people

Languages

Greek, English

About this tour

Join Our Daily Sailing Trips to Dia Island in Crete!

Experience the Thrill of Sailing in the Mediterranean >>
The open waters of the Mediterranean, Crete’s consistent winds, and endless blue horizon- the ideal setting for an authentic sailing experience.

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. 

Experience the Luxury of a Yachting Lifestyle >>
Spend your day onboard, take advantage of our complimentary snorkeling gear and dive into the Mediterranean’s underwater world, enjoy fishing in the pristine waters surrounding Dia Island and indulge in a delicious meal.

Make your vacation special- reserve your spot and be part of the journey!

👥 Capacity: up to 10 guests/ group

🕒 Itinerary: 9:30-14:00 | 11:30-16:00 | 14:30-19:00 | 16:30-21:00

Place of embarkation/disembarkation: Old port of Heraklion 

Highlights

  • Sail the stunning Cretan Sea aboard our premium monohulls.

  • Discover Mediterranean marine life with complimentary snorkeling gear.

  • Experience the fun of fishing with full equipment provided.

  • Enjoy a refreshing swim at the pristine beaches of Dia Island.

  • Savor a freshly prepared plentiful meal onboard.

  • Convenient optional hotel transfer for a seamless experience.

  • Included

  • Full Menu🍴: Our standard menu includes roasted chicken fillets, rice with veggies, Greek salad, seasonal fruits. Vegetarian menu with mushrooms is also available upon request.

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

  • Snorkeling Gear 🤿: Complimentary masks, snorkels, and fins for everyone onboard.

  • Transfers 🚖: Complimentary transfers within Heraklion city or areas within a 10km radius. Transfers to other areas are available at an additional cost.

  • Fishing Equipment 🎣: Full fishing gear available for a fun and engaging experience (please ask the crew to provide it)

  • 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 refer to the morning trip and are provided as indicative. Exact timings may vary depending on the selected departure.

      Heraklion’s Old Port

    • 10:30

      Arriving at St. George's Bay, Dia island

      We'll drop anchor at St. George's bay, a natural gulf protected from the wind and waves. The boat will anchor as close to the shore as possible, allowing you to swim to the pristine beach or enjoy the view from the boat.

      Dia Island

    • Free time for Snorkeling, Swimming, Fishing & Relaxing Onboard

      Enjoy plenty of time to dive into the crystal-clear waters for snorkeling, swimming, or fishing. Alternatively, relax on deck and soak up the Cretan sun as you enjoy our refreshing drinks offered onboard.
    • 12:00

      Enjoy Freshly Cooked Meal Onboard

      Indulge in a freshly prepared meal onboard, featuring delicious local flavors, such as our homemade olive oil and the traditional local dry bread, paired with refreshing drinks.
    • 13:00

      Set Sail for the Way Back to Heraklion

      Relax and unwind as we set sail back toward Heraklion, taking in the scenic views of the Cretan coastline and the open sea.

      Dia Island

    • 14:00

      Return back to Heraklion Port

      Heraklion’s Old Port

    Durations

    4 - 6 hours

    Languages

    Locations-For-Activity

    Heraklion

    Crete

    Tour's Location

    Leoforos Nearchou, Ηράκλειο, Ελλάδα

    Questions about Sailing Trip to Dia Island in Small Group

    • 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).

    • How do I get to the meeting point?

      The meeting point for our Boat Trips to Dia Island is located in the Old Port of Heraklion. 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’re staying in Heraklion city or nearby areas like Ammoudara, Kareros, or Amnissos, you can take advantage of our free transfer service, which can be selected during the booking process. For guests staying in other areas, we offer optional transfer service at an additional cost. 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.

    • What kind of meals are served on board?

      Our standard menu includes roasted chicken fillets, rice with vegetables, greek salad with homemade extra virgin olive oil, dry bread and feta cheese, fresh bread and seasonal fruits. We can accommodate various dietary restrictions, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, and pescatarian options. During the booking process, there is a special field where you can inform us of any dietary restrictions or allergies you may have. To ensure we can cater to your needs effectively, we require at least one day’s notice prior to your trip.

    • Are there any age restrictions for children?

      Our trips are family-friendly and suitable for children. Be aware that children under four years old cannot join our group trips. However, we are more than happy to welcome young children, including infants, on our private trips. Parental supervision is required during activities like snorkeling and fishing. If there are any special preferences regarding your child’s eating habits, please let us know, and we will 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, we offer transportation to and from your hotel. For hotels located in the areas of Heraklion city, Ammoudara, Karteros or Amnissos, pick-up is free of charge if selected at the time of the booking (additional fees may apply if added later). For other areas, a pick-up service is available at an additional cost, which can also be added during the booking process.
      The transfer service includes both pick-up and drop-off, and the rate is per person. If you do not add the transfer service at the time of the booking, you can still arrange it later by contacting our team. Please note that the price remains the same for a one-way transfer.

    • 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

    (35 reviews)
    Olivia Ellis
    0/5

    Amazing Boat Trip
    This boat trip was incredible. Our captains were very friendly, the food was delicious, and the scenery was beautiful. The weather was great, making it a wonderful day on the water. We tanned, paddleboarded, and snorkeled in the crystal-clear waters. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience; I highly recommend booking with them!

    22/04/2025
    Pasaporte00104564963
    0/5

    We had a great time and were very well looked after.
    A very good experience. I loved the yacht, and the amazing captain made the experience even better. My girlfriend was worried about the water and the slightly choppy waves, and he was very reassuring. The food was excellent and the water was crystal clear. I highly recommend it!We had a great time and were very well looked after.
    A very good experience. I loved the yacht, and the amazing captain made the experience even better. My girlfriend was worried about the water and the slightly choppy waves, and he was very reassuring. The food was excellent and the water was crystal clear. I highly recommend it!

    18/05/2025
    Tracy B
    0/5

    Absolutely brilliant trip!!!
    We took the sunset cruise on Saturday, October 5, 2024, and it included pickup in Koutouloufari, so it was a little more expensive, but it was worth it. The driver picked us up and then another couple in Anaplisi, and then met everyone at the port in Heraklion. Manos and Marianna led the trip and were fantastic from start to finish. The yacht was truly beautiful. We were offered drinks upon boarding, and the sailing was lovely; we had the perfect weather for it. Once anchored off Dia Island, we snorkeled and then enjoyed an exquisitely prepared meal of Greek salad, shrimp linguine, and some fruit. Others hiked to the small church, and some swam, snorkeled, and paddleboarded, but we chose to stay on the boat. Manos and my husband did a little fishing and caught a few small fish; some were poisonous, but Manos knew what was what and how to handle them. On the return trip, there were some low clouds, so we didn’t get to see the full sunset, but it was still beautiful. Plus, it was a treat to see the twinkling lights of Crete’s towns and villages. This trip was very reasonably priced for what we received; I think it was an excellent deal, and I would recommend it to anyone. Thanks for a fabulous day, guys!

    12/05/2025
    Sam M
    0/5

    Brilliant day trip.
    This is an amazing trip. We paid for round-trip transportation to Heraklion, and it was well worth it; it would have been over 60 pounds in a taxi. The guides were very friendly and happy to chat with us. We were on the Johnny boat with a small group of 10 people, and everyone started chatting, drinking, and eating, which made for a lovely day. The food was excellent—more than enough for everyone. Drinks were available all day: beer, wine, and soft drinks. And then, relaxing in the cove on Dia Island for about 3 or 4 hours: paddleboarding, snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing. All great!
    I highly recommend this cruise.

    06/06/2025
    Giannis Christakis
    0/5
    An amazing experience! Captain Marcos and Magda were very friendly and professional and gave us an amazing sail to Dia island and back. The water at st.George bay where we anchored was crystal clear and the snorkeling was incredible! Magda prepared dinner for us at the bay and Marcos made us feel very safe during the whole trip. Everything exceeded my expectations and I would do this trip again every single day!!!
    01/07/2024
    Dave
    0/5
    Markos and Marta were amazing! Such a fantastic time and our captain and co-captain made the trip a dream. Took care of the first timers on the ride and still created a great experience for our whole group on a private sail. Thank you so much and can’t recommend any higher!
    20/09/2024
    Blandine Lavoillotte
    0/5
    Nous avons passé une excellente journée dans un cadre idyllique. Marco et Carlos sont très professionnels et d’une extrême gentillesse. Tout était parfait. Merci beaucoup !
    02/07/2025
    Isela Holcomb
    0/5
    10/10✨✨✨ my older sister booked this boat tour for us on get your guide and it was better than what we expected! Our boat captains Mario & Iliana were sooo amazing, really sweet, and friendly! They welcomed us with wide open arms and they were so accommodating. I 100% recommend them love them, loved the experience! Best way to start our trip in Greece
    27/04/2025
    Romek Henkelmann
    0/5

    Es war von Anfang an alles top organisiert. Wir hatten super Segelwetter und nach dem schorcheln haben wir uns das Essen gut schmecken lassen. Gern wären wir noch weiter gesegelt. Eine super nette Crew (2) auf dem Boot. Das lohnt sich auf jeden Fall!!!

    15/04/2024
    alex Frankl
    0/5

    We had a fantastic sunset sailing trip to Dia island. Where we were able to snorkel, delicious dinner was provided and everything was perfect. Kostas was amazing, very kind and very helpful.

    15/07/2025
    Priyanka
    0/5

    This was my highlight in Greece! The sailing boat was just perfect with the crew on board extremely pleasant. They even cooked us a meal and had unlimited drinks! The food was really good quality and we felt the service was extremely personal and well worth every $ spent. Would highly recommend this.

    28/07/2023
    Sebastiaan Laney
    0/5

    We hebben een geweldige ervaring gehad met de kapitein Nikiforos and Ilias. Erg gastvrij en het eten was prima voor het eten op een boot! Voldoet precies aan de verwachtingen en omschrijving

    18/07/2025
    Marcel van Beekum
    0/5

    For our 5th wedding anniversary I wanted to suprise my wife with something special. I booked a private full day trip on a sailing boat with a captain. We had a transfer from our resort to Heraklion port with complete discretion from the friendly driver. My wife was completely surprised and we had a great trip to the uninhabited island of Dia. We snorkled there and had a full sized meal on board before we sailed back to the historical port of Heraklion. It wasn’t cheap but worth every penny. Tip: you can swim to the island and hike there but be sure to bring good shoes and put them in a waterproof bag.

    10/07/2022
    Agustin Miguens
    0/5

    Amazing experience. Marissa the best captain!!

    16/07/2025
    Roseline Matous
    0/5

    Excursion d’une demi-journée sur l’île de Dia. Nancy et sa collègue nous ont fait voyager durant ces 5 heures. Départ du port d’Héraklion à bord du voilier privé arrivée sur une des plages de l’île de Dia en 45min , plonger dans l’eau bleu marine, masque et tuba à disposition. Nous avions prévu des sandwiches pour le déjeuner, la compagnie nous a offert les boissons à volonté et une mega salade de fruits. L’équipage etait très discret et avenant. Nous nous sommes senti privilégié 🥰.

    17/04/2023
    Raffe Ali
    0/5
    We had a great ride with Mike and Niki Foros to Dia.
    Included drinks, fruit, fun facts about the island and much more!
    Would recommend, very nice guys🤩
    31/07/2025
    Nadia Habraken
    0/5
    Super leuke trip !!!
    Fereniki and nikiforos zijn heel vriendelijke en behulpzaam team .Ze doen hun uiterste best .
    29/07/2025
    Castiaux Heïdy
    0/5
    Marcos et Mario nous ont emmené sur l’ile de Dia. Au départ d’Heraklion, une heure +/- et l’eau magnifique vous attend !
    Marcos et Mario sont très serviables et souriants. Ils le répètent : ils sont là pour nous servir, nous sommes là pour profiter.
    Le repas était aussi très bon ( dans la salade, une huile pressée par Marcos et d’autres amis a lui).
    Des masques et des palmes peuvent être prêtés.
    Il fait bon vivre sur le bateau !
    Merci !
    12/08/2024
    Noel Arnold
    0/5
    Super tolles Schiff. Das Personal ist sehr sehr freundlich! Das Boot ist nicht überfüllt max 7 Personen. Das Essen war auch super.
    20/03/2025
    SYLVAIN PERSILLARD
    0/5
    C’était très agréable cette balade en mer
    L’équipage super accueillant
    Le repas suffisant et très bon
    14/10/2024
    Nadine Kübler
    0/5
    Super Tour und sympathische Guides 🙂 toller Ort zum Schnorcheln und leckeres Mittagessen (mit toller vegetarischer Alternative). Rund um gut organisiert und definitiv preiswert.
    30/05/2024
    Anna Terzyan
    0/5
    Incredible experience, beautiful places, great crew! Shout out to Captain Nikiforos and Michalis!
    29/07/2025
    Dennis Bautembach
    0/5
    Amazing. Great atmosphere, not crowded, decent food and fair prices. The destination is beautiful and chatting witg captains Marinos and Dimitros was fun and enlighting. Well worth it. Can recommend.
    30/05/2025
    LUIGI BRACCHITTA
    0/5
    The experience with Sailingtrips was extraordinary! An unforgettable day led by competent and friendly staff. When you arrive at Dia Island, you have the opportunity to snorkel with the scenery of the ruins of an ancient Minoan port now submerged and you also have the opportunity to take a short walk at the lovely white and blue church on the island. Everything was amazing, I absolutely recommend the experience! Congratulations to all the Sailingtrips organizational staff 👏⛵️
    22/10/2024
    Clara Holst
    0/5
    Mega fed oplevelse, kaptajnen og hjælperen var begge mega søde og glade for at hjælpe. Ville 100% gøre det igen.✨
    29/07/2025
    Lock Down
    0/5
    Wir hatten wahnsinnig viel Spaß. Insel Dia ist extrem schön und einen Besuch definitiv wert. Wir sind am Morgen mit dem ersten Segelschiff raus gefahren und waren somit auch relativ die ersten dort, es war einfach einmalig. Uns wurde auch viel über die Insel Dia erzählt, was ebenfalls sehr interessant war. Auf jeden Fall ist der Trip sehr empfehlenswert und das Preis- Leistungsverhältnis stimmt definitiv. Sehr gerne wieder und bitte weiter so.
    28/05/2025
    RBA
    0/5
    Marcos and Magdalena made our day of sailing just perfect. Exploring 2 coves, snorkeling, dining on fresh-cooked fish with Greek salad and rice with prawns. All while learning about the island and its mythology. A wonderful day of relaxation and joy.
    02/10/2024
    Hilla Goff
    0/5
    we are a family of 4 with two teenage boys. The experience was excellent from start to end! George was our captain, he explained to us about the boat, the island, the history. George was full of knowledge, kind, polite, and pationate. we loved it and wish we had taken a longer trip!
    01/08/2024
    laurent wattel
    0/5
    Superbe !!! Marissa et son capitaine nous ont fait voguer vers l’île de dia. Magique. Merci.
    20/07/2025
    Laura Charley
    0/5
    Une demi journée vers l’île Dia sur le Bavaria 45. Marco et John on été extraordinaires et adorables durant ces quelques heures. une Playlist musicale qui peut plaire à tout le monde, un très bon repas, du matériel de snorkeling a disposition, des matelas pour le bronzage, tout était réuni pour nous faire passer un merveilleux moment. Et merci du fond du cœur pour votre aide pour la demande en mariage effectuée par mon futur mari. MERCI !!!!
    22/07/2023
    Yulika Leblanc
    0/5
    Incredible experience! The staff is super nice and friendly. The food was also amazing. I would 100% recommend.
    26/05/2025
    Johanna Oswald
    0/5
    Vasilis and his god of wine gave us a perfect experience. The trip was safe as well as fun. We had a beautiful boat, the greatest view and very courteous hosts.

    Thank you very much for this great evening!

    30/07/2024
    Heidi Gielen
    0/5
    Super! Mooie en leuke trip. Top team, dank u
    Nikiforos and fereniki
    25/07/2025
    Patrick Schmidt
    0/5
    Wer eine erholsamen Ausflug sucht ist hier genau richtig .Eine super Crew,tolles Essen,es war einfach schön.
    31/07/2025
    Kathy House
    0/5
    This was one of the highlights of our trip! Marcos and Marta were incredible hosts and made our time in the boat so special. The boat, service, adventure, food and transport were all top notch. I would give my highest recommendation to anyone looking for this type of trip. I would do it all again and again!!
    28/06/2024
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