Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities worth booking?
Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities is a 5.5-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $767 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (10)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $767 per person
Sail with us to the exotic Dia Island on our large and comfortable sailing yachts. Our journey begins at the Heraklion Old venetian port. After 1 hour of sailing, we arrive to Dia where we anchor in the bay of the island. There you can enjoy the crystal waters and water activities such as snorkeling, fishing and paddle boarding. (Please request the equipment from the Crew). The standup paddle boards are not available under rough wind conditions for safety reasons. About 1 hour later our delicious menu is served and includes Greek salad and several appetizers, while the main course is shrimp Linguini (we also offer vegetarian and gluten free versions of the menu upon request). You can also accompany your meal with the finest wine, beer, ice tea or soft drinks. Around 30 minutes later our fruit salad of tropical and local fruits is served. After you finish your meal you will have a few last moments of relaxation on the yacht or in the refreshing water before we sail back to Heraklion.
What you get
About this experience
Sail with us to the exotic Dia Island on our large and comfortable sailing yachts. Our journey begins at the Heraklion Old venetian port. After 1 hour of sailing, we arrive to Dia where we anchor in the bay of the island. There you can enjoy the crystal waters and water activities such as snorkeling, fishing and paddle boarding. (Please request the equipment from the Crew). The standup paddle boards are not available under rough wind conditions for safety reasons. About 1 hour later our delicious menu is served and includes Greek salad and several appetizers, while the main course is shrimp Linguini (we also offer vegetarian and gluten free versions of the menu upon request). You can also accompany your meal with the finest wine, beer, ice tea or soft drinks. Around 30 minutes later our fruit salad of tropical and local fruits is served. After you finish your meal you will have a few last moments of relaxation on the yacht or in the refreshing water before we sail back to Heraklion.
What's included
Included
- Use of Stand- Up paddle board (SUP)
- Carbonated beverages
- Alcoholic beverages
- All Fees and Taxes
- Fuel
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Use of Fishing equipment
- On-board restrooms
- Tea and coffee
- Lunch
- Swim stop
Not included
- Towels
What you'll see and do
The island of Dia is an uninhabited island 6 miles north of Heraklion with crystal waters, beautiful wild scenery and rich history. The legend says that it used to be a monster created by Zeus to destroy the Cretans but he turned it into a stone to save them eventually. In the bay of Saint George where we anchor there was an ancient Minoan port that got destroyed along with the Minoan Civilization and sometimes it is possible to find ancient ruins and artifacts in the bottom of the beach. Nowadays there is a beautiful christian church of Aegean architecture. The island is home to many wildlife species such as rabbits, kri-kri goats, hawks and more while there is also a chance to meet the dolphins while sailing towards the island!
180 minutes here
Castello del Molo (Koules)
The site was first fortified by the Arabs in the 9th or 10th centuries. By the second Byzantine period, a tower known as Castellum Comunis stood on the site. In 1303, the tower was destroyed in an earthquake but was repaired. In 1462, the Venetian Senate approved a programme to improve the fortifications of Candia. Eventually, the Byzantine tower was demolished in 1523, and the Castello a Mare began to be built instead. The fortress was completed in 1540. In 1630, the fort was armed with 18 cannons on the ground floor, and 25 cannons on the pathway leading to the roof. During the 21-year long Siege of Candia, Ottoman batteries easily neutralized the fort's firepower. The Ottomans eventually took the fort in 1669, after the Venetians surrendered the entire city. They did not make any major alterations to the fort, except for the additions of some battlements and embrasures. They built a small fort known as Little Koules on the landward side, but this was demolished in 1936.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Heraklion
Meet at the "Meeting Point – Dia Island Boat Trips" at the Heraklion old Venetian port. If you are in the morning cruise please be at the meeting point at 9:10. If you are in the afternoon cruise please be at the meeting point at 15:10.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Meet at the "Meeting Point – Dia Island Boat Trips" at the Heraklion old Venetian port. If you are in the morning cruise please be at the meeting point at 9:10. If you are in the afternoon cruise please be at the meeting point at 15:10.
Options you can book
Pick up & Drop off excluded
Pick up & Drop off included
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cretan Sailing Cruises
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unforgettable Sailing Experience to Dia Island
We had a fantastic time on this private sailing cruise. The staff were welcoming and attentive, making the whole journey enjoyable and relaxing. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the boat itself was in excellent condition—clean, comfortable, and well maintained. The mix of sailing, swimming, and water activities made it both fun and memorable. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a perfect day at sea.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed every part of your private sailing cruise—from the warm welcome of our staff to the delicious food and the comfort of the boat. It’s great to know the mix of sailing, swimming, and water activities made your day both fun and memorable. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’d love to welcome you back on board for another perfect day at sea!
via Viator
Perfect day away for my partners 30th birthday!!!
I had booked this for my Partner's 30th birthday treat and he loved it!! the team communicated really well with me and kept the birthday cake a surprise with was delicious but not as good as the shrimp pasta that was amazing!!! the journey to and from the island itself was also wonderful, we saw dolphins!!! loved the range of activities available to us and we tried all of them. Manos and Christina were wonderful hosts and deserve a shout out!!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear your partner's birthday was a success and that he loved the surprise cake (and especially the shrimp pasta!). It’s wonderful that you got to see dolphins and enjoyed all the activities – sounds like a truly special day. We’re so glad we could be part of the celebration and would love to welcome you both back anytime!
via Tripadvisor
Conflicted experience
I’m conflicted writing this. On the one hand we had a good time on the boat. On the other hand a few things went wrong. We paid for a private tour to Dia which was supposed to depart at 9:00 and we only left after 10:00… We had recieved a message the morning of the tour saying there was a start delay of 20-30 minutes. After 40 minutes we were still waiting at the meeting point and so reached out to the company and they said someone was on their way to pick us up. Eventually after 10 someone showed up and we walked all the way around the pier to the boat. I had put in the Viator comments that we didnt want alcohol on the boat and requested alcohol free beers. During the safety briefing they mentioned alcohol on board so we asked about our request. They said they didnt have any such requests however after mentioning this to them they rushed to quickly buy some alcohol free beers. After an hour of beautiful sailing we arrived to the island and went SUPing however the wind was MUCH too strong and we struggled to get back to the boat. We eventually did but were very tired and it was a scary experience. We later went snorkelling but there were not any fins so only masks were available. After this a beautiful lunch was served of shrimp pasta. It was delicious. Also the fruit comprising of pineapple, watermelon and banana served beautifully, was delicious. There was however no caviar to be seen which is mentioned of the excursion Viator page… this is quite misleading. We got back to port at around 14:50 which was only 20 minutes after the original arrival time back at port meaning we were short around 3/4 of an hour however no discount or compensation was offered for this. I had read other reviews also stating a late start and assumed this was incidental. It appears to be the norm for this company unfortunately. Even though the boat was beautiful and the sailing was smooth i would not use this company again for a trip because of the things that went wrong.
Response from the operator: Dear Yannai, Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we're truly glad to hear that you enjoyed parts of your experience — especially the beautiful sailing, the meal onboard, and the overall ambiance of the cruise. We’re sorry to hear that certain aspects didn’t meet your expectations, and we’d like to address a few of the points you raised: Regarding the delayed departure: on the morning of your tour, we communicated a delay due to an unexpected technical concern that needed to be ruled out before departure. Safety is always our top priority, and while we understand delays are frustrating, we only proceed once we are 100% confident in the vessel’s condition. In response to this, your tour was extended by the maximum amount of additional time available that day — 20 minutes — to ensure you received as much of the full experience as possible. We apologize for the miscommunication around your request for alcohol-free beer. While this wasn’t noted in our system prior to departure, we’re glad the crew responded quickly and purchased alcohol-free options for you before setting sail. With regard to the SUP activity, the wind can sometimes pick up unexpectedly at Dia Island. While we do our best to plan around weather forecasts, conditions can change, and we regret that this made your paddleboarding experience uncomfortable. Guest safety is closely monitored during all water activities, and we’re grateful that everyone returned safely to the yacht. We also want to clarify that fins are not advertised as part of the snorkeling gear offered on this tour. We include masks and snorkels, but not fins — we’ll review the listing again to ensure this is clear to all future guests. Finally, concerning the caviar, we understand your disappointment. While we aim to provide a premium dining experience, caviar is not a guaranteed item and may only be included on select sailings or upon special request — we’ll make sure the listing more accurately reflects this. We truly appreciate your detailed feedback. While we’re sorry to hear that your experience has made you hesitant to return, we’re always learning from our guests and will use your comments to continue improving our service. Warm regards,
via Viator
Smooth sailing to Dia
Harry and Christina were amazing guides. They made us feel extremely comfortable, were very friendly, and made the entire experience incredible! Harry gave a lot of information about the island and Christina provided excellent cultural and cuisine recommendations. Highly recommend and would do again!
via Viator
A fun day out- totally recommended
We had a great day with Zoe and Mariana- we were 3 couples (6) and really enjoyed the day to Dia island where we snorkelled saw lots of fish in aegean blue warm waters, walked to the little church, paddle boarded and had a really tasty lunch of shrimp pasta and a fruit platter. We were really well looked after and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes it wasn’t cheap, but it was a great day out and is highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $767 to $950
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Cretan Sailing Cruises, who run 3 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 74.1.
See everything Cretan Sailing Cruises runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities cost?
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Prices start at $767 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities take?
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Plan for about 5.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Heraklion is not rushed.
Is Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Heraklion can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Heraklion within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Heraklion?
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On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities?
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Included: Use of Stand- Up paddle board (SUP); Carbonated beverages; Alcoholic beverages; All Fees and Taxes; and Fuel. Not included: Towels. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 538 listed pickup locations in and around Heraklion. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities?
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Across 10 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, small groups, organization. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
What booking options are available for Private Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal & Water Activities?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Pick up & Drop off excluded, Pick up & Drop off included. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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