Crete · Heraklion

Excursions to Dia Island

Catamaran cruises to Dia, the protected islet just off Heraklion, clear swim bays, snorkelling and sunset sailings, all a short hop from the city's ports.

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HeraklionNorth coast

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All excursions to Dia Island.

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Destination

Crete 34 Peloponnese 1 Rhodes 5 Santorini 2

Excursion type

Historical 10 City tours 9 Religious 5 Outdoor 26 Sea tours 22 ECO Tours 14 Gastronomic 6 Family 38 Exclusive 8

Duration

Full-day 23 Half-day 17

Group size

Group 27 Mini Group 13

Languages

English 34 French 3 Russian 13 Romanian 7 Polish 1 Lithuanian 4 Estonian 1 Norwegian 1 German 8 Dutch 3 Greek 1

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Cretan Holidays 7 DanEri Yachts 7 Kyriakakis Travel 5 Rhodes Adventures 3 Sea Jets 2 T4V 4 TEZ TOUR 10 VIVA Lets Fly 1

Group Size

1-10 1 1-20 1 10 1 12 1 15 1 18 6 18-22 1 18-50 1 20 1 20+ 2 25+ 1 30-60 2 35 1 40 1 40+ 8 40-60 2 45 1 49+ 2 50 2 8-28 1 max.11 1

Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View

Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View

Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View

Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View

Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View

Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View

Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View

Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View

Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View

Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View

Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View

Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View

Book with the operator

Booking Dia Island direct.

The Dia cruises are listed all over the booking sites. Reserving straight with us is a little different.

The local team, not a reseller

You book with the Heraklion team that runs the Dia catamarans itself, not a platform reselling the sailing.

Real people, quick to answer

A local team on the phone, WhatsApp and Viber daily from 08:00 to 22:00, before you travel and on the day itself.

Flexible hotel pick-up

Pick-up is arranged around your hotel across Heraklion, Hersonissos and Chersonissos.

Clear prices, no mark-up

The from-price you see is ours, with no third-party booking fee added over the top.

If the sea is too rough for the catamaran, you move to another day or take a full refund.

About the area

The islet & its clear bays.

Dia is an uninhabited islet a few nautical miles off Heraklion, protected as a Natura habitat and home to the wild kri-kri goat. Its sheltered south-facing bays have some of the clearest water near the city, which is why nearly every trip here is by catamaran with swim and snorkel stops.

Sailings run morning, afternoon and at sunset from Heraklion and Hersonissos, so you can pick the light and pace you want. There is nothing built on the island itself, just calm water, rock and sky, which is exactly the point. It sits within easy reach of Heraklion, Knossos and Matala, with more to explore across the rest of Crete.

SettingUninhabited islet off Heraklion

Best timeMay to October

Getting thereCatamaran from Heraklion / Hersonissos

Weather

When to visit Dia Island.

The Dia cruises run from spring to autumn, with the warmest, calmest sea for swimming in high summer.

Month	Air (day)	Sea	How busy
May	24°C	20°C	Quiet
June	28°C	22°C	Building
July	31°C	24°C	Busy
August	31°C	26°C	Busy
September	28°C	25°C	Easing
October	24°C	24°C	Quiet

Fewest crowdsMay and October, quieter on the boats.

Warmest seaAugust into September for the island coves.

Calm daysLight-wind mornings, when the crossing is smoothest.

Getting here

Getting to Dia Island.

Dia is an uninhabited island a few miles off Heraklion, visited on a boat cruise.

By boat

Catamaran and boat cruises sail from Heraklion, anchoring in the island's clear coves for swimming and lunch.

On a day trip

Excursions include hotel pick-up in the Heraklion area, the crossing and free time to swim off the boat.

Where to stay

Where to stay for Dia Island.

Dia is a short sail off Heraklion, so the city and its beach suburbs make the easiest base.

Browse hotels nearby

Heraklion town

By the harbour where the cruises leave, close to Knossos and the museum.

Ammoudara

Heraklion's sandy suburb, a few minutes from town.

Hersonissos & Malia

Lively resorts east of the city, good for families.

Agia Pelagia

A pretty cove west of town, calm and scenic.

Nearby sights

What's near Dia Island.

Back on shore, Heraklion's Minoan sites and old town are minutes from the harbour.

Palace of Knossos

The great Minoan palace on the city's doorstep, a UNESCO site.

Archaeological Museum

The world's finest Minoan collection, in the city centre.

Koules Fortress

The Venetian sea fort at the old harbour where the boats depart.

Morosini Fountain

The 1628 lion fountain at the heart of the old town.

Food & drink

Taste of Dia Island.

Heraklion cooking mixes the city and the sea, all olive oil, greens, cheese and honey, with fresh fish at the harbour.

Try fresh fish by the port, dakos and graviera, and the wines of the villages south of town, with raki to finish.

Local specialties to try

Fresh fish Dakos Bougatsa Graviera cheese Cretan wine Raki

One trusted partner

Plan your whole Dia Island trip.

Book every part of your trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFind flights to Crete FerriesFerry tickets to Crete TransfersAirport & port pick-up Car rentalRent a car in Crete HotelsStays across Crete

Before you go

Good to know for Dia Island.

SettingA wild, uninhabited island and nature reserve

WildlifeHome to the protected kri-kri wild goat

What to bringWater, sun cover and swimwear

AccessBy boat only, with swim stops

Good forSnorkelling and relaxed sea days

Best hoursA full day out from Heraklion

Across Crete

More of Crete near Dia Island.

Other stand-out spots worth adding to your Crete trip.

Balos LagoonChania

Elafonisi BeachChania

Falassarna BeachChania

Samaria GorgeChania

Knossos PalaceHeraklion

Plan your visit

How long for Dia Island?

Dia sailings run from three and a half hours to a full day. Pick your pace.

½Half a day

The afternoon and sunset cruises are relaxed half-days off Heraklion.

+Add more

Pair it with Knossos or Matala, or see all Heraklion excursions.

Before you book

Your Dia Island questions

How do you get to Dia Island?

By catamaran from Heraklion or the Hersonissos area, the crossing is short and part of the experience, with swim stops along the way.

Can you land on Dia?

The island is a protected habitat with no facilities, so trips focus on swimming and snorkelling in its sheltered bays rather than exploring on land.

Which sailing should I choose?

Morning and afternoon cruises give more swim time; the sunset sailing is shorter and more about the light. All include drinks and usually a snack or meal, check each cruise.

Is it suitable for families?

Yes, the water is calm and clear and the catamarans are stable and roomy. Tell us your group's ages for the best fit.

What if the sea is rough?

If we cancel a sailing for weather or safety, you're offered another date or a full refund, always explained up front.

Is there snorkelling at Dia?

Yes. Dia's clear, sheltered bays are good for snorkelling straight off the boat, and most catamarans carry basic gear.

How long is the sailing to Dia?

Dia lies just off Heraklion, so the crossing is short; the trip length is mostly time anchored in the bays swimming, from three and a half hours up to a full day.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece

Simple & secure

Booking Dia Island, step by step.

Search & compare

Compare Dia Island excursions by type, date and budget, and pick the day that suits you.

Book securely

Reserve your Dia Island day out online in minutes, with instant confirmation and a voucher by email.

Meet your guide

On the day a licensed local guide meets you and takes care of the rest, so you can just enjoy Dia Island.

Ready to explore Dia?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the excursions, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.

Browse excursions Talk to a local expert

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