Dia island boat trip at sunset with happy hour on board – Sailing Experience

On board of a comfortable sailing vessel, limited to just 8 guests, with expert captain and mate, you will sail mid-afternoon and cruise leisurely towards the stunning shores of Dia island. Enjoy plenty of time to swim, sunbathe and chill out with some Prosecco wine and finger food offered on board, waiting for the sunset over the Aegean sea.

Duration
4 hours

Available
Every day

Small Group
Max 8 people

Meeting point
Port of Heraklion

Start time
5:00pm

The Greek islands lay claim to some of the greatest sunsets on Earth and from the boat you will have a front-row seat to this magical event. On board of a comfortable sailing vessel, limited to just 8 guests, with expert captain and mate, you will sail mid-afternoon and cruise leisurely towards the stunning shores of Dia island. Enjoy plenty of time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe and chill out with a glass of Prosecco wine and finger food offered on board. Then, just get ready for the main event: the sunset over the Aegean sea.

Tour program of the sunset boat trip to Dia island:

Meeting point in Heraklion Old Venetian port at 4:45pm, where you will meet the crew and board a comfortable sailing yacht.
The island of Dia is approximately 1 hour away from Heraklion. During this boat trip to Dia island at sunset, we will navigate along the coastline so that you can soak up every inch of Crete’s beauty as you leave the shore behind. Relax, unwind and catch some rays out on deck as we take a leisurely cruise towards Dia island.
Once arrived, the skipper will drop anchor in a protected cove with turquoise crystal clear waters. Enjoy plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling, while exploring the rich sea bottom. If you don’t feel in the mood for swimming, just relax on the boat with good music.
In the meantime, the crew will prepare a rich happy hour: finger food freshly prepared on board, complimented by Prosecco sparkling wine and a special cocktail created for you.
Then, just sit back and watch as the sun glistens and gently settles into the water and the moon rises off the coast… a perfect ending to a perfect cruise.
The tour will end around 9:00 pm at Heraklion Old Venetian port.

*You can request a transfer from/to your hotel, upon payment of an extra charge.

The price includes: English speaking crew – Happy hour with finger food – Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages – Equipment for snorkeling.

Don’t forget: Towel – Sunscreen – Sun hat – Sunglasses – Camera – Jacket for the evening.

Maximum: 8 people on board.

To know more about your boat trip...

Dia island: what to see?

Welcome to Dia island, a true paradise on Earth, 5 km long and 3 km wide, located within a fully protected area. If you are wondering what to see on the island of Dia, know this: you are going to land in a pristine and wild place, where you will find fine sand beaches and fascinating rocky coves. Among the most beautiful beaches on the island of Dia are the beaches of Agios Georgios, Kapari, Panagia Bay and Agrielia. During the boat trip from Crete you will stop in the most fabulous places to snorkel and to enjoy a crystal clear sea just before sunset. The island counts a single harbor with only one tavern and a little church, called Analipsis, from where you can enjoy the view over the whole Gulf of Heraklion. Its wild nature means that the island of Dia is not inhabited: there are no hotels or other types of accommodation, it’s like stepping back in time. Off the shores of the island of Dia there are two small islets: Paximadi and Petalidi which, according to mythology, were born together with the main island at the behest of Zeus. In this small yet extraordinary island there’s no shortage of archaeological finds of great interest, including the Cyclopean Walls, square stones that served as an artificial dam. The walls probably sank in 1450 B.C. during the eruption of the volcano Santorini.

The myth behind the island of Dia

Looking from above, the island of Dia looks like a huge lizard with two small islands nearby. This particular form has its roots in the mythology: the three islands were born at the hands of Zeus, the ruler of Olympus. It is said, in fact, that Zeus, annoyed to see the Cretans hunting his beloved Cretan wild goats, which were children of Amalthea, the goat that nurtured Zeus, got so angry that he blew a lightning into the sea and a huge lizard-shaped monster emerged ready to kill Cretans. However Poseidon, god of the sea, managed to curb the intent of Zeus who threw two large slices of bread into the sea to distract the monster and a second thunderbolt to petrify him. That’s how island of Dia and the two islets Paximadi and Petalidi were born.

How to reach the island of Dia?

Dia is a beautiful lizard-shaped island located off north coast of Crete, opposite Heraklion from which it is 12 kilometers. The island of Dia is located within a protected area and therefore it is accessible only by private boats, which respect its unspoilt natural landscape. To reach the beautiful island of Dia, then, book a boat trip from Crete and climb aboard a sailboat that will anchor in a protected bay for you to live an unforgettable experience into the wilderness. To visit the island of Dia at sunset, leave at 4:45pm from the port of Heraklion, the capital of Crete, and get ready to witness one of the most beautiful natural wonders you have ever seen. If you are in Crete, you can not miss this sailing trip at sunset to the fascinating island of Dia.

What does the sunset aperitif include?

If you’re staying in Greece, you may be already familiar with the typical food and appetizers of this Mediterranean peninsula. If you choose to take part in the sunset sailing tour from Crete to discover the island of Dia, you will enjoy a typical Greek aperitif while the red sun sets on the crystal clear waters of this pristine island. On board you will be offered prosecco and special cocktails created just for the guests on board. In addition, there will be delicious small dishes of the Greek cuisine, made with local products: the extra virgin olive oil, the slice of Greek bread, the pita, and the feta, which is the typical Greek cheese.

Q&A

Are there plans to stop for a swim on this tour?

Yes, during this boat tour there will be stops to swim and snorkel.

How long is this boat tour to the island of Dia at sunset?

This boat experience lasts around 4 hours.

Are there toilet breaks during the tour?

On board there is the opportunity to use the restroom.

What is included in this tour?

In this boat trip you will be served an aperitif made of typical finger food prepared for you directly on board, accompanied by prosecco and a special cocktail.

Will the tour be cancelled in case of heavy rain or rough sea?

Yes, in case of bad weather/sea conditions the tour might be cancelled. In case of cancellation we are happy to offer our customers the choice of an alternative date or, in case of inability to rebook, the full refund.