Dia Island Adventure: Snorkeling and Sailing Escape

Why not try a new, unforgettable experience! The uninhabited island of Dia is just 6 NM away but also worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of the tourist resorts. Top up your holidays with sailing, swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Epimenidou 19 - After an hour of sailing, the vessel anchors at St. George’s Bay on Dia Island. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine waters, engage in an enjoyable fishing adventure, and unwind in the tranquil small bay of St. George, with a view of Heraklion.
What's Included
  • Unlimited refreshments (soft drinks, white wine, bottled water)
  • Swimming Stop
  • Skipper & Fuels
  • Snorkeling equipment (masks, fins, snorkels)
  • Fruit Platter
  • Fishing gear (fishing rods, raw bait)
What's Not Included
  • Hats, sun creams, swimmwear.
  • Lunch
  • Order a birthday cake or a bottle of champaigne for special events with an extra charge.
  • Add a transfer service on your booking upon request with an extra charge.
Location
Boat trips to Dia island- Meeting point
Epimenidou
If you'll arrive independently, meet our skipper at the Sailingtrips.gr - Meeting point - Heraklion, located next to Marina Cafe at the Venetian harbour, fifteen minutes earlier than departure time. For accuracy, please search the meeting point name on Google Maps and not the address displayed.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(25 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Freedom252968
Aug 24, 2025
Lovely private half day trip to Dia - The 4 of us went on a private half day trip in the morning (aprox. 09:30 -14:00 hrs). We met Denis and Elias, the crew, at the port of Heraklion. Travel time to the island took about 1hr each way. The island itself is uninhabited and a protected national park area. We got to a nice little bay where we stayed for 2/2.5 hrs. Seems this is the main hotspot for sailing trips as there were many other boats there, but it is full season in mid August. Here you can snorkel around in its crystal clear waters, paddle-board (SUP) or a quick visit to the island (little church, fisherman’s hut). The crew prepared a plentiful and delicious snack for us, which we ha pre-ordered separately (greek salad, sandwiches and an enormous bowl of fresh sliced fruit). Kids had a go at fishing and then a last splash in the sea before making our way back. We didn’t do much sailing as the wind was not in favour, but can’t do much about that. The staff were extremely courteous and friendly for the whole trip and pampered after us throughout the whole trip! Thankyou Denis and Elias!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U7598didarrens
Aug 8, 2025
Amazing Private Boat with 3 children to Dia Island - Wow, what a day to remember. I travelled with my three children aged 14, 11 and 7. We really wanted to do a boat trip & snorkelling, and after seeing hotel excursion prices, I found these guys online with wonderful reviews. We booked a small sailing boat, private trip for the four of us, which worked out cheaper than joining a larger group excursion from the hotel. I was worried as my youngest Son has egg allergies (for the food) and also can not swim yet without a float. So worried it would he wouldn’t be able to join in. I needn’t have worried at all. The food was incredible. We ordered two lots of sandwich and two of the chicken menu options. Wow! This day was fantastic from start to finish. The hotel transfer was arranged for us, the captain and co-captain were amazing. The whole trip of 4.5 hours was just out of this world. We all loved every minute of it and can not recommend this highly enough. Upon setting anchor at Dia island, my youngest was into the sea with his float, snorkeling, seeing fish and paddle boarding. My boys absolutely loved it (as did I). And not one moment of not being able to swim hampered the experience for my youngest. It has given him even more confidence in the water. The bay at Dia island was fantastic - the water crystal clear. It is deep to start with - but you can see the bottom of the water and my son with his swimming float was the most confident I’d seen him swim :) The food put on for us was amazing! So much of it! Felt awful not being able to finish it all because it was so good. Honestly I can not speak highly enough about the experience from start to end. I trawlled review after review worried if it would be ok for young children - and didn’t see many reviews mentioning young children, so definitely wanted to add this one for anyone considering in future. I just want to say a massive thank you to sailingtrips.gr for making this one of the most memorable days of our lives 😊 amazing!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dreamtotraveliom
Aug 7, 2025
Top notch ⛵️ - If you are heading to Crete and fancy a boat trip, we would highly recommend sailingtrips.gr ⛵️ Their service was top notch, they even offer a door to door service 🚐 we had an amazing time 💖 We were extremely lucky to have seen dolphins 🐬 and a sea turtle 🐢 on our trip. Big thank you to Captain Denis & Mike for their hospitality and for giving us a day to remember 🍾🎂
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Victorhgq
Jul 28, 2025
Sailing to Dia - We had a great afternoon sailing to Dia form Heraklion ! The trip was perfect , beautiful sunset , enough time to enjoy snorkeling , swimming etc. Dinner was deliciously prepared . Sunset was magical but above all , Marisa and Nikosfori made this trip very especial . They were friendly , attentive , accommodating and very professional .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sean
Jun 30, 2025
Great sailing experience! - Great sailing trip to Dai. 9 miles each way with expert captain Nico and his assistant Michaelitis. Stop for snorkel in the clear waters and walk up to the church / fisherman’s huts. Good lunch then flew back with the wind behind. Thoroughly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Betina_k
Jun 8, 2025
It was a wonderful and... - It was a wonderful and relaxing boat trip with friendly staff. Truly a delightful experience on the sea
Review provided by Viator
B992rolauras
Nov 2, 2024
Great day out - We had a lovely day with Marcus and Rula. Marcus was very kind to our children and looked after us all well, including one very nervous sailer! We all had a great day - it was the highlight of our holiday.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ngusev
Aug 25, 2024
Great experience - Very nice yacht (Bavaria 45), real sailing experience. Great team of 2. Food is great and plenty. Highly recommend (not my first time on Dia). We did not get to fish, but I guess half a day is not enough (note to myself).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mm7289
Aug 18, 2024
Very positive - We enjoyed this beautiful private excursion, including hotel pickup service. I would say all impeccable service and staff! Of the shuttle driver to the crew of the boat, all kind and nice, have not abandoned a moment, although respecting privacy and discretion. 3/4 hours is more than enough to enjoy everything without haste, but also without getting tired. Breakfast light with fruits and vegetables, recommended, fresh and well served. Clean bathroom as well as the whole boat. A beautiful experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
49flaviea
Aug 26, 2024
Very Poor ! - The boat was not clean, with a foul smell coming from the toilet, and the promised cabins were inaccessible. The tour was also marketed as high-end, but it was actually subpar and overpriced. The boat's condition was poor, with inadequate life jackets, hard seats without pads. Food normal but with stale bread and low-quality wine. The equipment was old and not properly cleaned, and the tour operator didn't have time to clean between trips. The whole experience was a joke, book with someone else to avoid embarrassment.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $502 (Per Boat)
up to 10 guests
1 - Traveler
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).