Sailing & boat trips from Heraklion and across Crete

There is no ferry or public boat to Dia. The only way across is a sailing trip, catamaran cruise or private charter from Heraklion — about 30–45 minutes each way, from €70 per person, with afternoon departures from April to October and a morning start on most boats.

Usually not. Dia is a protected Natura 2000 nature reserve, so nearly every trip anchors in a sheltered cove on the south side and you swim, snorkel and paddleboard straight off the boat rather than going ashore. The coves are the point — calm, clear and empty.

Both, honestly. Skippers hoist the sails when the wind cooperates and run the engine when it does not, especially on fixed schedules. If sailing under canvas matters to you, pick one of the sailing-yacht trips over a catamaran cruise and tell the crew — on a private charter, the pace is yours.

Mostly space, stability and price. The sailing yachts (€65–98) are smaller and feel closer to real sailing; the catamarans (€90–145) sit flat on the water, carry more guests and lean all-inclusive, with a meal and open drinks. Families and anyone wary of seasickness usually prefer the catamaran.

Morning trips get the calmest sea and the longest swim stops, which suits families and sensitive stomachs. There is no separate sunset ticket here: the sunset boat is the same boat on its second run of the day, leaving about 15:00 or 15:30 and back around 21:00, at the same fare as the morning. That afternoon slot trades some swim time for golden-hour light and a quieter, more grown-up deck — on the €70–98 semi-private boats it is the classic couples’ pick.

The semi-private Spinalonga catamaran (€140) leaves from Agios Nikolaos marina and sails sheltered Mirabello Bay with a swim stop by the Kolokitha peninsula — no need to travel to Heraklion. A shared catamaran runs the same Spinalonga and Kolokitha route for the same €140. It is also the calmest route when the summer wind blows.

Only as a whole-boat charter — private boats start at €540 for the 4.5-hour sail to Dia and run to €2,200 for the private catamaran. For two, the afternoon run on a semi-private boat at €70–98 per person is the better-value romantic pick. If you want the deck to yourselves in the evening, note that the €540 trip sails 14:45 to 19:15 rather than through the evening; the cheapest private boat still at sea at 21:00 is the €650 Dia cruise.

Swimwear worn under your clothes, a towel, a hat, sunscreen and a light layer for the sail back. Snorkel gear — and usually SUP boards — are on board, and most trips include a meal or snacks with drinks; each card lists exactly what is in the fare.