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

Dia Island feels like Crete’s pause button. I love the open bar setup that keeps the day easy, and I love the onboard seafood lunch plus extra snacks that make this feel like a real day at sea, not a rushed boat trip. You get a well-run crew aboard a luxury catamaran, and you also have time on Dia Island to swim, snorkel, paddle with the included SUPs, and even try fishing.

One thing to weigh is that this trip depends on good weather. If conditions are not right, you will be offered a different date or a full refund, so it pays to keep your schedule flexible.

Key things to know before you go

• Dia Island is the main event: You get about 3 hours in a calm bay for swimming, snorkeling, SUP boarding, and fishing.
• Open bar is genuinely included: Unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer, with a minimum drinking age of 18.
• Food is more than just lunch: You have welcome coffee and Cretan delicacies, brunch platters, a Mediterranean meal with salads, plus fruit and a local dessert.
• Water gear comes with the ticket: Snorkeling gear and swimming vests, SUP equipment, fishing gear, canoe board equipment, and inflatable sea toys and noodles.
• Small group on a premium boat: Max 25 people, plus an English-speaking professional crew.
• Comfort onboard matters: You have WC for men and women, a shower, and even free WiFi.

Entering the day in Iraklio, then heading straight for Dia

This cruise starts in Iraklio at Cafe MarinaLeof, Nearchou, Iraklio 712 02, Greece, and it ends back at the same meeting point. The timing is short and focused, about 5 hours 30 minutes, so you are not sitting on a boat forever before you get to the good stuff.

I like how the experience is built around being on the water with minimal friction. You get a mobile ticket, an English-speaking crew, and onboard facilities like WC for men and women and a shower, which means you can rinse off after your swim without hunting around. For many people, that alone turns a half-day outing into something that feels complete.

You also have a lot of built-in activity options. If you want to relax, you can. If you want gear and water time, you can do that too. And because the group is limited to 25 people, it tends to feel more manageable than the big group chaos that can happen on popular summer routes.

Dia Island stop: 3 hours for swim, snorkel, SUP, and fishing

The heart of the day is the stop at Dia Island in a peaceful bay. You have about 3 hours there, and the time is structured around getting you into the water and giving you multiple ways to enjoy it.

Here is what you can do when you are there:

• Swimming in calm, scenic water
• Snorkeling with included snorkeling equipment
• SUP boarding using the provided SUP gear
• Fishing, since fishing gear is included

The best part is that the boat setup and the island time match each other. You are not scrambling to find a mask, buy a vest, or rent a board. You are ready the moment you want to go in. Also, the day includes safety-minded items like swimming vests, which helps if you are not a confident swimmer but still want to enjoy the water time.

Is there a downside to the Dia Island timing? Only that 3 hours is a limited window. If Dia Island is your top priority and you love long, slow beach time, you might wish you had more hours. But for a half-day cruise that blends food, sailing time, and water activities, it is a sensible amount of time.

The onboard food plan: brunch, salads, lunch, and dessert

This is not a cruise where you get a sad snack and a lukewarm drink. The meal flow is the kind that keeps you comfortable from the moment you get on board.

Included on the boat:

• Welcome coffee and/or tea plus Cretan delicacies
• Brunch gourmet platters with assorted cheeses and cold cuts
• Lunch Premium Seafood Mediterranean Menu prepared onboard with quality local ingredients
• Salads served with meals
• Seasonal fruits and a local Cretan dessert as snacks

Then there is the menu itself. When you reserve, you are presented with four options so you can choose your main:

• Seafood option: Sea Garden Risotto and Kantaifi-Wrapped Tempura Shrimps
• Vegetarian option: Moussaka-Inspired Spinach Lasagna (layered pasta with spinach and creamy béchamel sauce)
• Meat lovers option: Moussaka-Inspired Chicken Lasagna (chicken, mushrooms, and bell peppers)

What I like about this setup for your vacation brain is predictability. You know you will have real food, and it is built into the schedule instead of being something you fit in later on your own. On a day where you also want to swim and maybe snorkel, that matters.

If you are picky about meal timing or you get hungry quickly, this is also a good fit because the included plan covers more than one eating moment: welcome drinks, brunch platters, lunch, and then fruit and dessert to close it out.

Open bar that actually works for a half-day cruise

The open bar is a big part of why people enjoy this cruise. The package is all-inclusive for drinks, with unlimited:

• water
• soft drinks
• local white wine
• beer

Minimum drinking age is 18. If you are traveling with younger people, they can still enjoy the soft drinks and the day itself, but they will not be drinking alcohol.

Also, the bar is not just a token addition. It is designed for the pace of the day. With a half-day cruise, the easiest way to ruin the vibe is to feel like you are constantly paying extra for basic comfort. Here, you can stay focused on the water and the activities while the drinks are handled.

One note to keep your expectations straight: cocktails are not included, but they are available upon request. If cocktails are a must for you, budget for that or plan to ask when you are on board.

The water gear package: snorkeling, SUP, fishing, and float time

What makes this cruise feel truly practical is that you are given real equipment for the activities listed, not just a suggestion to try them.

Included items cover:

• High quality snorkeling gear
• Swimming vests
• Stand-up paddleboards (SUP) equipment
• Fishing gear
• Canoe board equipment
• Inflatable sea toys and swimming noodles

This matters because it lowers the decision fatigue. You do not have to choose one activity and ignore the rest. You can start snorkeling, then switch to SUP, then try fishing, then just float and relax. The day supports that kind of “try it all” rhythm.

You will also appreciate onboard convenience. A shower and WC mean you can clean up after time in the sea, not just leave with salt crusted on you like a souvenir.

One optional extra to know about: a sea scooter is not included. If you want it, you need to request it in advance, and priority order is respected. If it is on your wishlist, do not wait until the last minute.

Luxury catamaran comfort: the small details you feel

This is a luxury catamaran, and you can see that in how the day is built for comfort. It is not only about what you do in the water. It is also about what you do while waiting for the next activity.

Onboard facilities include WC for men and women and a shower. That is a real quality-of-life detail, especially when you plan to swim and snorkel during the Dia Island stop. You are not thinking about where to rinse off, and you are not cutting the day short because you are uncomfortable.

There is also free WiFi. I do not treat that as a selling point by itself, but on a boat day it can be useful for basic tasks like messaging family when you are off the shore.

Finally, the crew is professional, qualified and certified, and they speak English. You should feel guided without being managed. The best crew days have that balance, and this is designed to deliver it.

Sailing time and the chance for sunset

Your departure time matters for vibes. Some people book the later half-day and get the kind of lighting that makes the sea and shoreline look especially good.

A later departure can give you a shot at sunset views from the water. Even if you are not chasing golden hour, the sailing part of the cruise is still part of the experience, since you are on the water with drinks and snacks while you head to and from Dia Island.

If sunsets are a priority, pick the latest option you can. If you are more of an early riser, choose what fits your day, because the core value is still the Dia Island water time plus the food and open bar.

Price and value: where the $145.18 really goes

At $145.18 per person for about 5.5 hours, this price looks fair once you add up what is included. This ticket is doing several jobs at once:

• covering your boat day on a luxury catamaran
• covering all-in drinks (water, soft drinks, local white wine, beer)
• covering multiple food moments (welcome drinks, brunch platters, lunch with salads, fruit, dessert)
• covering key activity gear (snorkeling equipment, SUP equipment, fishing gear, plus float items and vests)

So you are not just paying for transport. You are paying for a managed day where the “extras” that usually cost money are included.

It also helps that the group cap is 25 people, which usually makes service feel more personal than on larger boats. And since confirmation is received at booking, you avoid some of the uncertainty that can come with day tours.

One extra practical note: this kind of cruise is typically booked about 13 days in advance on average. If you want a specific menu option, or if you are traveling in a busy season, I would try to book at least a couple of weeks ahead.

Who should book this Dia Island cruise, and who should skip it

This cruise is a strong match for you if:

• You want a half-day that mixes food, sailing, and water activities in one smooth package
• You like having gear ready to use, especially for snorkeling and SUP
• You want the convenience of onboard WC and shower
• You enjoy an all-inclusive bar without constantly asking for extras

It might not be the best fit if:

• You need a lot more than 3 hours on Dia Island for long beach-style time
• You are traveling during a period when weather is unpredictable and you cannot change plans if the cruise is rescheduled

If you are the kind of person who likes to do a bit of everything on one outing, this is built for your style.

Should you book the Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Dia Island?

If your goal is a relaxed, organized Crete sea day with real food, easy drinks, and included gear for snorkeling and paddle time, I think this one is an easy yes. The reviews backing it up are strong, with an overall rating of 5 and a 99% recommendation rate.

Book it if you want a worry-free package and you can work around weather. Skip it or plan with flexibility if your schedule is rigid and you are not able to handle a weather-related change.

If you decide to go, pick the departure time that matches your mood, and choose your lunch option in advance so you walk onboard knowing exactly what you will eat.

FAQ

What is the duration of the cruise?

The cruise runs for about 5 hours 30 minutes.

What happens at Dia Island during the stop?

You spend about 3 hours at Dia Island in a peaceful bay, with activities including swimming, snorkeling, SUP boarding, and fishing. Admission ticket for the stop is free.

What drinks are included in the open bar?

The bar is all-inclusive for unlimited water, soft drinks, local white wine, and beer. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What food is included onboard, and can I choose a menu option?

Lunch is included with a premium seafood Mediterranean menu, plus welcome coffee and/or tea, brunch gourmet platters, snacks like seasonal fruits and a local Cretan dessert. There are four main course options to choose from when reserving.

Where is the meeting point, and does the tour return there?

You meet at Cafe MarinaLeof. Nearchou, Iraklio 712 02, Greece, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is there free cancellation and what if the weather is poor?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.