Heraklion: Nature Reserve Dia Island Full-Day Cruise & Lunch

Discover the captivating allure of Dia Island, a nature reserve off the coast of Heraklion, Crete. This full-day cruise offers an opportunity to explore the island’s rugged coastlines, crystal-clear waters, and diverse wildlife, including the iconic Kri Kri wild goat. Sailing aboard comfortable yachts, you’ll indulge in a freshly prepared local lunch and learn about activities like swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. With convenient pickup and transfer services, this cruise promises an unforgettable experience, inviting you to uncover the hidden gem that is Dia Island and its enchanting natural beauty.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Lunch Experiences In Heraklion.

Contents hide

1 About the Cruise

2 Island Exploration

3 Onboard Activities

4 Pickup and Transfer

5 Key Highlights

6 Inclusions

7 Important Information

8 Getting There

9 Frequently Asked Questions

Key Points

Full-day cruise from Heraklion to the uninhabited nature reserve of Dia Island, known for its protected wildlife and diverse landscapes.
Opportunity to explore the rugged coastline, swim in crystal-clear waters, and try snorkeling or stand-up paddleboarding.
Freshly prepared local lunch served on the boat, with comfortable and safe sailing yachts and an expert local crew.
Hiking along the coastline to discover hidden coves and spot protected species like Kri Kri wild goats and birds of prey.
Convenient pickup service from Heraklion and surrounding areas, ensuring a stress-free start to the day’s activities.

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About the Cruise

The full-day cruise from Heraklion takes visitors to the uninhabited Dia Island, a nature reserve known for its protected wildlife and diverse landscapes.

Guests can explore the island’s rugged coastline, swim in the crystal-clear waters, and try their hand at snorkeling or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) during the excursion.

The crew will provide a fresh and local lunch on the boat, showcasing the region’s delicious cuisine.

With comfortable and safe sailing yachts and an expert local crew, the cruise offers the chance to learn about the island’s biodiversity, history, culture, and traditions while enjoying a day of outdoor adventure and relaxation.

The day’s activities and inclusions provide a comprehensive and memorable experience.

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Island Exploration

Upon arriving at Dia Island, guests can explore the rugged and captivating landscapes of this uninhabited nature reserve.

From hiking along the coastline to discovering hidden coves and inlets, the island offers ample opportunities for adventure and discovery.

Wildlife enthusiasts can keep an eye out for the island’s protected species, such as the elusive Kri Kri wild goat and majestic birds of prey soaring overhead.

The island’s hiking trails provide stunning views of the turquoise waters and rugged cliffs, while snorkeling and SUP boarding allow visitors to enjoy the island’s vibrant marine life.

With its untouched natural beauty and abundant wildlife, Dia Island promises an unforgettable day of exploration and connection with the great outdoors.

Onboard Activities

Guests commonly enjoy a variety of engaging onboard activities throughout the cruise, including swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in the crystal-clear waters surrounding Dia Island.

The snorkeling equipment provided allows guests to explore the island’s vibrant marine life, while the SUP boards offer a unique opportunity to glide across the calm lagoons.

Between activities, guests can relax on the comfortable sailing yachts and soak in the stunning views of Dia’s rugged coastline.

The knowledgeable crew is on hand to share insights about the island’s diverse flora and fauna, as well as its rich cultural heritage.

These immersive experiences allow guests to truly appreciate the natural wonders of this protected nature reserve.

Pickup and Transfer

One of the key conveniences of this cruise experience is the complimentary pickup service from Heraklion and surrounding areas within a 10-kilometer radius.

For those located in other parts of Crete, an additional charge applies to facilitate their transfer to the boat’s departure point.

This premium transfer ensures a seamless and stress-free start to the day’s adventure.

The pickup service is designed with your’ comfort and convenience in mind, allowing them to sit back and relax before embarking on the captivating journey to the uninhabited Dia Island.

Key highlights of the pickup and transfer service include:

Free pickup service from Heraklion and surrounding areas up to 10 km
Pickup from other parts of Crete available for an additional charge
Premium transfer to the boat’s departure point
Ensures a convenient and stress-free start to the day’s activities

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Key Highlights

Beyond the complimentary pickup service, the cruise offers a host of other key highlights that elevate the overall experience. Travelers will sail aboard comfortable and safe yachts helmed by an expert local crew, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable voyage.

The crew’s professionalism extends to their first-aid certification, providing an added layer of safety and reassurance. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the island’s fascinating biodiversity, history, culture, and traditions directly from the knowledgeable crew.

With luck, they may even spot native species like the Kri Kri, a wild goat, or majestic falcons soaring overhead. From the premium transfer to the boat to the carefully curated activities, this cruise promises an immersive and unforgettable exploration of Dia Island’s natural beauty.

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Inclusions

The cruise package includes a sailing experience aboard well-equipped yachts staffed by professionally certified crew members who hold first-aid certifications, ensuring the utmost safety and care for guests.

Participants will have access to essential snorkeling gear and stand-up paddleboards, allowing them to fully enjoy the island’s aquatic wonders.

On top of that, a delectable meal featuring local, fresh ingredients, accompanied by unlimited water, soft drinks, and wine, is provided during the cruise.

The package includes:

Sailing cruise experience
Professionally certified crew with first aid certification
Life jackets, snorkeling equipment, and SUP boards
Meal with vegetarian option, unlimited drinks (water, soft drinks, wine)

Important Information

Guests should be aware that this cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users or people weighing over 264 lbs (120 kg). Participants will need to bring along their passport or ID, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. It’s important to note that the use of alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited during the tour.

The safety and comfort of all guests are of utmost priority. To ensure a memorable experience, the following guidelines are in place:

Requirement	Recommendation	Restriction
Passport/ID	Sun Hat	Alcohol
Swimwear	Towel	Drugs
Sunscreen	–	–

Getting There

Getting to the Dia Island cruise departs from Heraklion, with a complimentary pickup service available for guests within a 10 km radius.

For those located further away, additional transfer charges may apply. This premium transfer service ensures a seamless start to the day, allowing you to sit back and relax before embarking on your adventure.

The pickup service is available from various locations around Crete, including:

Heraklion city center
Surrounding areas up to 10 km from Heraklion
Other parts of Crete, with an additional charge

This convenience allows you to focus on enjoying the full-day cruise to the uninhabited Dia Island, without the hassle of arranging your own transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Cruise?

The cruise provider generally prohibits guests from bringing their own food and drinks on board. However, any dietary restrictions or allergies can be accommodated with advance notice. Unlimited water, soft drinks, and wine are included in the cruise package.

Is There a Dress Code for the Cruise?

There’s no strict dress code for the cruise, but guests are advised to wear comfortable, casual clothing and suitable footwear. Swimwear, sunhats, and sunscreen are recommended for the activities on the island.

Can I Smoke on the Boat?

Smoking is not allowed on the boat for safety and environmental reasons. The cruise operators enforce a strict non-smoking policy to ensure a pleasant experience for all guests and to protect the fragile island ecosystem. Guests must refrain from smoking during the trip.

Can I Bring Pets on the Cruise?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on this cruise for safety and environmental reasons. The cruise focuses on experiencing the island’s protected nature reserve, so bringing pets would not be permitted. Guests should leave their pets at home for this activity.

Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for the Cruise?

There is no minimum age requirement for the cruise, but it’s not recommended for young children as the activities may not be suitable for them. The cruise is open to all ages, though parental supervision is advised for minors.