Luxury Catamaran Cruise, Dia Island –Open Bar & Lunch -Top Rated!

Dia Island on a Crete catamaran feels easy. You get a luxury-style sailing setup, with an onboard bar, real food, and gear waiting for the water time. It is the kind of half-day plan that lets you stop thinking and start enjoying.

What I like most is the all-in-one meal and drinks flow. Lunch comes onboard with a premium seafood Mediterranean menu, plus welcome coffee, brunch platters, snacks, and dessert, and the bar is set up as all-inclusive with local white wine and beer for adults. Second, you are not just watching from the deck, you get practical water gear, including snorkeling equipment, swimming vests, SUP boards, and fishing gear.

One thing to consider is that private pick-up is not included. You will meet the crew at Cafe MarinaLeof in Iraklio, and you will handle getting there on your own.

Why This Dia Island Cruise Works So Well

• A real onboard value: lunch, brunch, snacks, coffee or tea, and an all-inclusive bar are part of the experience.
• Water time equipment included: snorkeling gear and swimming vests, SUP boards, fishing gear, and inflatable sea toys.
• Small group on a high-end catamaran: capped at 25 travelers, so the crew can actually keep things organized.
• A comfortable setup for a 5.5-hour day: onboard W.C. for men and women, plus a shower.
• English-speaking, certified crew: you get professional help with the water activities.
• Dia Island downtime built in: about 3 hours in the calm bay for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

From Heraklion Meet Point to Open-Sea Relaxing (5h30 Total)

Most Dia Island cruises live or die by their first 20 minutes. This one starts at Cafe MarinaLeof on Nearchou Street in Iraklio (712 02). The location is near public transportation, so you are not locked into a car, and you use a mobile ticket to get yourself sorted.

The schedule is roughly 5 hours 30 minutes overall. The long part is not driving, it is time on the water plus a good chunk at Dia. That matters because Dia Island works best when you have enough time to do something active, then switch to laid-back mode. You can snorkel, try SUP, and still leave with energy left for the return.

A nice touch for planning is that it is booked fairly regularly (on average about 13 days ahead). That usually means you can find dates during your stay, but it also means popular slots can fill, especially in peak season. If you care about timing, pick your day early rather than waiting.

Dia Island Stop: Swimming, Snorkeling, SUP, and Fishing Gear Ready

The star moment is the stop at Dia Island. You get about 3 hours in the peaceful bay, which is exactly the right length to switch activities without rushing. The water is typically calm in this area, so it is a friendly environment for people who want to swim and try snorkeling, but it is also fun for those who just want a relaxing float with sea toys.

Here is what you can do during that bay time:

• Snorkeling and swimming gear included: high-quality snorkeling equipment and swimming vests are provided.
• SUP boarding: stand-up paddleboards are included.
• Fishing: fishing gear is on board so you can try line and bait while you enjoy the water.
• Canoe board equipment: you get equipment for this extra water setup.
• Inflatable sea toys and swimming noodles: useful if you want an easy, playful way to hang out in the water.

You also have “quiet time” built into the plan. Dia is not designed for a packed walking itinerary, so you are basically renting the sea for a few hours. That tends to be the biggest payoff for people who want something different than a standard shore excursion.

Practical note: the sea toys and extra gear are included, but a sea scooter is not. If you are set on using one, it requires advance booking and priority order is respected. That is a big detail if you are visiting mainly for powered add-ons.

Luxury-Style Lunch and Brunch With an All-Inclusive Bar

This is one of those cruise menus that makes the half-day feel like a full day out. You are not waiting for a late lunch or living on snacks. Food is part of the experience, and it is set up in multiple rounds.

What is included onboard:

• Lunch with a premium seafood Mediterranean menu

Meals are served with fresh salads, and the main course options include:

• Seafood Sea Garden Risotto & Kantaifi-Wrapped Tempura Shrimps
• Moussaka-Inspired Spinach Lasagna (vegetarian)
• Moussaka-Inspired Chicken Lasagna with chicken, mushrooms, and bell peppers (meat lovers)
• Welcome coffee and/or tea plus Cretan delicacies
• Brunch gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts
• Snacks like seasonal fruits and local Cretan dessert
• An all-inclusive bar: unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer

Alcohol is for adults only, with a minimum drinking age of 18.

One small detail that can matter for expectations: cocktails are not included, though they are available upon request. So think of this as a smooth all-inclusive base, with extras if you ask.

In practice, this kind of meal setup is great because you can eat when it fits your energy. After snorkeling or SUP, you are likely hungry, and you do not have to hunt for a café or figure out timing. You stay on the “cruise rhythm,” which is the whole point of the luxury part.

What You Really Get From the Crew and the Onboard Facilities

The vibe on this cruise is professional, friendly, and organized. The crew is qualified and certified, and they speak English, which makes a big difference when water activities are involved. You want people who can handle safety, equipment, and the flow of a boat full of different comfort levels.

You also get a layout that works for comfort on the water:

• Onboard W.C. for men and women
• Shower onboard
• Free WiFi (nice if you want to send pictures without draining your phone battery)
• Lots of equipment is available for water time, which helps avoid the “one float, one mask” feeling.

The luxury catamaran style is not just about looks. It shows up in how the day stays smooth. When the crew is attentive and the boat is well-run, you get more time enjoying Dia, and less time waiting for instructions.

Water Safety and Gear: What’s Included, What to Bring

You do not have to bring snorkeling or SUP equipment. That is the whole advantage here. You get:

• high-quality snorkeling gear
• swimming vests
• stand-up paddleboard (SUP) equipment
• fishing gear
• canoe board equipment
• inflatable sea toys and swimming noodles

Because the gear is provided, your packing list stays simple. Still, you will enjoy the day more if you come ready:

• swimsuit and a second dry layer for the return
• sunscreen and a hat
• water shoes if you like extra grip in and out of the water
• a light waterproof phone pouch if you want peace of mind for pictures

Also, if you are thinking about sea scooter time, plan ahead. Since it needs advance booking, you cannot treat it as a last-minute wish without checking availability.

How Timing Can Affect Your Views on the Return

Dia Island is beautiful in daylight, but the sea can shift mood fast. One key detail from the experience is that some departures can line up with sunset, including a later sailing example tied to a breathtaking sunset right in the middle of the sea. You cannot guarantee sunset every time, since weather and timing matter, but you can improve your odds by choosing a later departure if that is a top priority for you.

Another practical win is that the captain anchors in a good spot in the bay, close to shore. That makes water activities easier because you spend less time crossing distance and more time actually in the water.

If you are the type who cares about both action and a pretty finish, aim for the later time options when you can.

Price and Value: Is $145.18 a Good Deal?

At $145.18 per person for about 5 hours 30 minutes, you are paying for more than “a ride to Dia.” You are buying a package with real expenses baked in.

Here is what you get that usually costs extra elsewhere:

• Lunch plus coffee or tea and Cretan treats
• brunch platters with cheeses and cold cuts
• snacks including seasonal fruit and local dessert
• all-inclusive drinks (water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer)
• snorkeling gear and swimming vests
• SUP boards and other water equipment like fishing gear and inflatables
• onboard facilities with W.C. and shower
• a certified English-speaking crew on a catamaran with a maximum of 25 travelers

If you tried to build this day on your own, you would likely end up paying separately for boat access, a meal, drinks, and water gear. Here, the cost stacks into a straightforward value equation. And the small-group cap matters too, because better organization makes water time more enjoyable.

Is it the cheapest option in Crete? Probably not. But for a half-day that covers food, drinks, and equipment, it often lands in the “good deal for what you actually get” category.

Who This Cruise Is Best For (And Who Should Rethink)

This cruise fits best if you want a smooth, planned day at sea with real comfort and included activities.

You will likely be happiest if you:

• want snorkeling and SUP included, not just optional extras
• care about a proper onboard lunch, not only snacks
• like the idea of an open bar that keeps the day easy
• prefer a small group on a high-end catamaran
• want an English-speaking, certified crew to handle the activity details

You might rethink it if:

• you need private transfer pick-up, since that is not included
• you are focused on sea scooter use, since it needs advance booking
• you are only interested in a quick shore visit and nothing else, because this is built around time on the water

Should You Book This EOS Yachts Dia Island Cruise?

If you want a half-day that feels genuinely effortless, I say yes. The combination of all-inclusive food and drinks plus practical water gear is what makes this stand out as a good-use-of-time day in Crete. The small-group size and professional crew help it stay organized, which is where “luxury” becomes more than a marketing word.

Book it if Dia Island is on your short list and you want more than a photo stop. Pick a later departure if you love sunset energy. And if you have specific add-ons like the sea scooter in mind, check early rather than waiting.

If your priority is cheap and simple, look elsewhere. But if your priority is a well-run sea day with included activities and plenty of comfort, this cruise is an easy choice.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Dia Island luxury catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts about 5 hours 30 minutes.

Is lunch and an open bar included?

Yes. You get a lunch with a premium seafood Mediterranean menu, plus coffee or tea, brunch platters, and snacks. The bar is all-inclusive with unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer (adults only, minimum age 18).

What food options are available during booking?

The onboard menu includes four options: Seafood Sea Garden Risotto & Kantaifi-Wrapped Tempura Shrimps, Moussaka-Inspired Spinach Lasagna (vegetarian), and Moussaka-Inspired Chicken Lasagna (meat lovers), plus you are served fresh salads with meals. (You choose the option when reserving.)

What water activities and equipment are included?

Snorkeling gear and swimming vests are included, along with SUP equipment, fishing gear, canoe board equipment, and inflatable sea toys and swimming noodles.

Where does the cruise start, and where does it end?

The meeting point is Cafe MarinaLeof, Nearchou, Iraklio 712 02, Greece. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if weather is poor or the minimum number of travelers is not met?

The experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of travelers is not met, you are also offered a different date or a full refund.