Sailing to Dia Island from Heraklion: Which of the Eight Cruises Is Worth Booking
Updated October 8, 2026 · 6 min read
Dia is a long, low, uninhabited island about 13 km off the coast north of Heraklion, and the whole point of the trip is the water around it. Sailing boats leave the harbour in the morning or late afternoon, anchor in a bay for a swim, serve a meal and come back. It is the most-booked boat day out of the city, and the choice between the cruises is mostly a choice between group size, food and price.
The short answer. Most people should start with the small-group sailing and dining experience to Dia: €60 per person, 5.5 hours, 4.8 stars over 3,116 reviews, the most-reviewed of all the Heraklion sailing listings. If you want it with a private boat for your own group, the private half-day sailing trip to Dia is €390 for a group of up to eight.
Check dates and prices for the small-group Dia sailing cruise
Eight cruises compared
| Cruise | Duration | From | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-group sailing and dining experience | 5.5 hours | €60 | 4.8 (3,116) | Intimate group, the most reviewed |
| Sailboat cruise to Dia with drinks and lunch | 4.5 – 6.5 hours | €80 | 4.8 (1,494) | Shared half day, with private and one-hour options |
| Sailing cruise to Dia, all-inclusive | 5.5 hours | €64.60 | 4.9 (1,268) | Meal and drinks in the price |
| Dia sailing cruise with all-inclusive meal and drinks | 5.5 hours | €63.75 | 4.7 (1,064) | The same format on a different boat |
| Your perfect day at sea, Dia sailing cruise | 4.5 – 7 hours | €61.60 | 4.7 (1,048) | Widest range of durations |
| Sunset sailing cruise to Dia with snorkelling | 4.5 hours | €61.60 | 4.5 (741) | Evening departure with a snorkel stop |
| Dia catamaran fun cruise with slide, meal and drinks | 5 – 7 hours | €106.25 | 4.9 (355) | Water slide and underwater sea scooters |
| Private half-day sailing trip to Dia | 4.5 hours | €390 per group | 4.9 (480) | Up to eight people, own boat |
Prices are per person except the private trip. Ratings from 4.5 to 4.9 over hundreds of reviews tell you all of them are decent; they do not tell you which one fits you.
What Dia is, and what it is not
Dia is protected: it belongs to the European Natura 2000 network and is home to Cretan wild goats, the kri-kri, and to nesting falcons. There are no cars, no camping and no facilities on it. Do not expect a beach club. Swimming and snorkelling in a sheltered bay is the whole programme, and the wild goats are shy; do not count on seeing one.
The promise of the cruise is therefore the sailing, the swim and the meal. That is also why the boat matters more than the island.
Choosing between them
Group size. The most-reviewed cruise sells itself as a small group, and the private trip puts you on a boat alone. On the catamaran with the slide, the format is a fun cruise with a sea scooter, which is a different day: livelier than the small-group sailing.
Food and drinks. Several titles say all-inclusive or list a meal and drinks. Open the booking page and read exactly what is covered. A price of €60 with lunch and drinks is a better deal than €60 without, and a cheap-looking listing can turn expensive at the bar.
Time of day. Morning departures are usually cooler. The sunset cruise adds colour but also a return in the evening; ask about the light and the temperature on board after the sun has gone down.
Sailing or catamaran. A sailing yacht tilts and moves under sail, which many people love and some do not. A catamaran is steadier. If you are sensitive to motion, choose the catamaran or ask the operator about the crossing. For seasickness, speak to a pharmacist or doctor before the trip.
Children, comfort and swimming
Operators set their own age limits and swimming requirements; read the conditions on the page you pick. Ask whether there is shade on deck, a toilet on board and whether life jackets in child sizes are provided. The listings do not settle this in a line, so ask the operator.
When it is not worth it
If the sea is rough, sailing trips are shortened or cancelled, and you want the day back if that happens. Ask about the cancellation terms. If you tend to feel unwell on a boat, five hours at sea is a long time. If you dislike group trips, take the private boat or skip it.
Alternatives
Other boat days start from the north-coast resorts; the boat trips and cruises category has all of them. For a longer day out with history, take the Spinalonga day trip.
