Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal and Water Activities from Heraklion
by Listing Cretan Sailing Cruises
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€160Overview
This sailing cruise from Heraklion lasts about five and a half hours on a large, comfortable yacht. Departure is from the old Venetian port of Heraklion. After approximately one hour of sailing, the yacht anchors in the bay of Dia Island, located about six miles north of Heraklion. Visitors can spend around three hours on or near the island, enjoying water activities such as snorkeling, fishing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Paddle boards are available but may be restricted during rough wind conditions for safety. Equipment for these activities can be requested from the crew. Following the water activities, a meal is served on board. The menu starts with Greek salad and various appetizers, followed by shrimp linguini as the main course. Vegetarian and gluten-free meal options are available if requested in advance. The meal can be accompanied by wine, beer, iced tea, or soft drinks. Approximately 30 minutes after the main course, a fruit salad featuring tropical and local fruits is offered. After dining, guests have some additional time to relax on the yacht or swim before the return sail to Heraklion. Onboard restrooms are available throughout the cruise.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Dia Island
Dia Island is an uninhabited island about six miles north of Heraklion, known for its clear waters and natural scenery. The cruise anchors in the bay of Saint George, where an ancient Minoan port once existed before its destruction alongside the Minoan Civilization. Occasionally, ancient ruins and artifacts can be found underwater near the beach. The island also features a Christian church built in Aegean architectural style. Wildlife such as rabbits, kri-kri goats, and hawks live on the island. Dolphins may sometimes be spotted while sailing to the island.
180 min
Castello del Molo (Koules)
The site was first fortified by Arabs in the 9th or 10th centuries. During the second Byzantine period, a tower named Castellum Comunis stood there, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1303 but later repaired. In 1462, the Venetian Senate approved fortification improvements for Candia, leading to the demolition of the Byzantine tower in 1523 and the construction of the current fortress, completed in 1540. By 1630, the fort was equipped with 18 cannons on the ground floor and 25 along the roof pathway. During the 21-year Siege of Candia, Ottoman batteries neutralized the fort's firepower, and the Ottomans captured it in 1669 after the Venetian surrender. They made minor changes, adding battlements and embrasures, and built a small fort called Little Koules on the landward side, which was demolished in 1936.
Meeting point
Meet at the "Cafe Marina" at the Heraklion old Venetian port. Please google the name of the cafe instead of the street address for more accuracy. If you are in the morning cruise please be at the meeting point at 8:50. If you are in the afternoon cruise please be at the meeting point at 14:50.
End point
Meet at the "Meeting Point – Dia Island Boat Trips" at the Heraklion old Venetian port. Please be at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Sailing Cruise to Dia Island with Meal and Water Activities from Heraklion
by Listing Cretan Sailing Cruises
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€160Overview
This sailing cruise from Heraklion lasts about five and a half hours on a large, comfortable yacht. Departure is from the old Venetian port of Heraklion. After approximately one hour of sailing, the yacht anchors in the bay of Dia Island, located about six miles north of Heraklion. Visitors can spend around three hours on or near the island, enjoying water activities such as snorkeling, fishing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Paddle boards are available but may be restricted during rough wind conditions for safety. Equipment for these activities can be requested from the crew. Following the water activities, a meal is served on board. The menu starts with Greek salad and various appetizers, followed by shrimp linguini as the main course. Vegetarian and gluten-free meal options are available if requested in advance. The meal can be accompanied by wine, beer, iced tea, or soft drinks. Approximately 30 minutes after the main course, a fruit salad featuring tropical and local fruits is offered. After dining, guests have some additional time to relax on the yacht or swim before the return sail to Heraklion. Onboard restrooms are available throughout the cruise.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Dia Island
Dia Island is an uninhabited island about six miles north of Heraklion, known for its clear waters and natural scenery. The cruise anchors in the bay of Saint George, where an ancient Minoan port once existed before its destruction alongside the Minoan Civilization. Occasionally, ancient ruins and artifacts can be found underwater near the beach. The island also features a Christian church built in Aegean architectural style. Wildlife such as rabbits, kri-kri goats, and hawks live on the island. Dolphins may sometimes be spotted while sailing to the island.
180 min
Castello del Molo (Koules)
The site was first fortified by Arabs in the 9th or 10th centuries. During the second Byzantine period, a tower named Castellum Comunis stood there, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1303 but later repaired. In 1462, the Venetian Senate approved fortification improvements for Candia, leading to the demolition of the Byzantine tower in 1523 and the construction of the current fortress, completed in 1540. By 1630, the fort was equipped with 18 cannons on the ground floor and 25 along the roof pathway. During the 21-year Siege of Candia, Ottoman batteries neutralized the fort's firepower, and the Ottomans captured it in 1669 after the Venetian surrender. They made minor changes, adding battlements and embrasures, and built a small fort called Little Koules on the landward side, which was demolished in 1936.
Meeting point
Meet at the "Cafe Marina" at the Heraklion old Venetian port. Please google the name of the cafe instead of the street address for more accuracy. If you are in the morning cruise please be at the meeting point at 8:50. If you are in the afternoon cruise please be at the meeting point at 14:50.
End point
Meet at the "Meeting Point – Dia Island Boat Trips" at the Heraklion old Venetian port. Please be at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.