Heraklion Regional Unit

Boats & Yachts

Embark on a half-day cruise to Dia Island from Heraklion and explore this rugged island with plenty of time to swim, snorkel, or relax on its pristine shores. Enjoy a Mediterranean lunch with a glass of wine. Benefit from optional pick-up from your hotel or cruise ship, or meet at the Venetian harbor at Heraklion Port at 14:30, and then relax on a 1-hour cruise to Dia Island on an intimate boat with space for no more than 8 passengers. Relax aboard the elegant sailing boat before dropping anchor in the romantic Gulf of Saint George at 15:30. Discover an idyllic location with a great history as an ancient Minoan port and one of the favorite destinations of the underwater explorer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau.  Enjoy 2.5 hours at leisure to fish, swim in the crystal clear water, take a walk among the island's cedar trees or just relax in the quiet bay overlooking Heraklion. Snorkeling and fishing equipment are provided for your comfort and convenience by the attentive crew, along with unlimited refreshments and seasonal fruits. Feast from a delicious Mediterranean menu of roasted chicken fillets, rice with vegetables, Greek salad, and wine. Depart Dia Island at 18:00 and journey back to Heraklion for an estimated arrival time of 19:00, where a transfer to your hotel or cruise ship is provided if requested.

Start with pickup from your hotel in the morning. Drive along the beautiful coast of Crete and the southernmost town of Europe, Lerapetra, before reaching Makrigialos, a picturesque village in the South-East of Crete. Here, hop on the boat and start the cruise to Koufonisi. Cruise around the island of Koufonisi, a totally uninhabited island, away from any kind of human activity. The boat sails around the whole island so you can admire the beautiful coastline and caves surrounding it. Make a stop at Koufonisi Bay for 1 hour. Enjoy some time for swimming in crystal clear, turquoise waters. You can then choose to enjoy lunch on board, at an additional cost. The boat then approaches the caves of Koufonisiso so you can take photos of the unique scenery. Stop at the beach of Koufonisi for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Umbrellas can be rented on board. Finally, head back on the return leg of your journey to Heraklion.

Enjoy a cruise, snorkeling and fishing in crystal clear waters on this relaxing and fun trip to Dia Island. Relax on the 1-hour trip to the island, taking in the scenery and enjoying the comfort of your boat, which will have a maximum of 8 passengers onboard. Next, visit the romantic gulf and ancient Minoan port of St. George. Spend 2.5 hours swimming in the turquoise water, walking on the beautiful trails, fishing or just relaxing on the beach. Relax and let the crew take care of you by providing you with any snorkeling and fishing equipment you need. Enjoy unlimited refreshments, seasonal fruits and a delicious Mediterranean lunch served by the crew.

All inclusive yachting tour: Mediterranean cuisine with grilled fish, fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, local and import beverages, entertainment (SUP, snorkeling masks and fins, floating flamingo and unicorn, fishing rods). This sea excursion is designed especially for those who prefer to have lazy mornings and start activities in the afternoon. Perfect experience for couples and groups of friends. Program starts in Hersonissos harbor in the afternoon.

Explore Crete on a day tour by boat and bus. Discover the town of Agios Nikolaos, cruise through Mirabello Bay, stop for a swim in Kolokytha Bay, and admire the sights of Spinalonga Island, with lunch included. Start with pickup in the morning. First, explore the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos, the place where the boat sails from, towards the island of Spinalonga. Enjoy a morning walk and have a coffee around its beautiful port and the lake of the town. On Wednesdays, visitors can also enjoy the traditional bazaar as an additional attraction of this town. At midday, set sail on the boat for the cruise portion of the tour. Lunch will be served on the boat. Enjoy the views while crossing the unique Mirabello Bay, the Agios Nikolaos coast, and Elounda. Then the boat will stop at the beautiful bay of Kolokytha where you can swim and dive from the cruise boat into the crystal clear waters. Next, stop on Spinalonga Island, known as "the island of tears." Take a guided tour with professional guides for about 30 minutes and enjoy some free time to admire the views and take photos. Finally, sail back to Agios Nikolaos, where the bus will drop you back at your accommodation. Basic Meal: Grilled chicken Mixed salad with tomatoes and cucumber Feta cheese Slice of bread Vegetarian option: Tortilla with vegetables Mixed salad with tomatoes and cucumber Feta cheese Slice of bread Vegans may receive the same meal as vegetarians, without the option of feta cheese.

Travel to northeastern Crete, visit Agios Nikolaos and see its beautiful scenery, and take a boat trip to Spinalonga Island on this exciting day tour of some of Crete's most interesting sites. Begin the day with the visit to Agios Nikolaos, and see the shore of Mirabello Bay. Explore the town, famous for the lake at its center and its shopping and cafes. Take your time for a walk to enjoy the views, enjoy some shopping or have a drink in one of the numerous cafes around the lake. Explore an open-air market on Wednesdays. Move on to see Elounda village, a former fishing village on the northern coast of the island. Depart from Elounda for the cruise to Spinalonga Island. Learn about the island's vibrant history, from a home for the Venetians and Turks to a place of isolation for those suffering from leprosy. Experience the island, more popular after the 2005 historical novel “The Island” about how lepers lived in Spinalonga. Join the hundreds of people who come to the island every day to visit and learn its history.

Cruise Type: Private Luxe Trip Duration: 6.5 hours (14:30 - 21:00) Comfy Trip Duration: 4.5 hours (16:30 - 21:00) TRIP OVERVIEW Dia is an uninhabited, NATURA 2000 protected island, located about 7 nautical miles north of Heraklion. According to the legend, Dia was created by Zeus. In 1976, Jacques Yves Cousteau suggested that there stood one of the most important ports in the whole island of Crete. The only available facilities are the small port, a forestry shelter and a tiny, charming Chapel named Analipsis. Try a unique sailing experience. Travel to Dia island in style and comfort on a luxurious 53 ft sailboat. You may join the sailing procedure or get amazing views of Heraklion from aboard. Upon arrival you may swim, fish, snorkel into the crystal-clear waters, play with a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard), or have a lot of fun around the enormous swimming and entertainment area consisting of the aft opening door and the tree unfolding steps. You may also just relax and continue suntanning on the huge front deck area of the yacht, which is equipped with comfortable, high-quality mattresses. Later on, seasonal fresh fruits, fine local wine and a variety of soft drinks are served by the crew. Absorb every second of the stellar sunset and the twilight magic as the sun, led by God Helios riding his golden chariot, dives into the magnificent Aegean. Capture the magic moments forever by taking amazing photos or videos if you feel like it. Release your mind, let your romantic summer dreams become real. As night falls, we cruise back to the old Venetian harbor under the brilliant starlit Cretan sky feeling relaxed, delighted, and totally recreated. SAILBOAT HIGHLIGHTS - The open sitting / cockpit area is enormously roomy, the most spacious - by far - in the yacht’s class. - The opening aft door and the 3 folding stairs offer a truly gargantuan - sized swimming and entertainment area. - The sunbathing areas in the front deck are also huge and equipped with comfortable mattresses. - The retractable hydraulic Besenzoni 500 gangway is very helpful and convenient during embarkation / disembarkation. - The extra fridge / freezer and a BBQ grill at the cockpit. The hot / cold water shower in the swimming platform. - The roomy, luminous main lounge. The internal dining area can seat up to 10 guests. There is also a small bar and a flat TV. - The spacious galley. It includes a double sink, microwave oven, side opening fridge with freezer, and stove with oven. - The three separate Air condition / Heating units and the powerful Mastervolt whisper generator (8 KVA). - For Day Cruises the guests may use 4 electric toilets and the 2 front cabins (including clean bed linen) in case they need to rest or have a nap.

Charter a sailing vessel privately and escape to the seas. From Heraklion, sail to unique and beautiful Dia Island, where you will have plenty of free time to swim, fish, and snorkel. Several hours later, continue on to another bay, where you will swim in crystal blue waters or take some time to relax in the shade. If you're lucky, you might even spot some dolphins and sea turtles. Relax and spend the day enjoying life while setting sail on the Sea of Crete.

Ierapetra is situated on the southern coast of Crete. As it is the only town in the south, it is referred to as the Bride of Libyan Sea. With the rising of the sun, head to the gorgeous port of Ierapetra and set sail toward Chrissi Island.   Chrissi Island, or Gaidouronisi, meaning Golden Beach or Donkey Island, is an uninhabited island around 15 kilometers south of Ierapetra. 7 kilometers in length and covering an area of 4,743 km, the island is covered in golden sand and a rare variety of Lebanon cedars.  Anchoring on the south side of the island, head to the nearby beach for swimming and sunbathing. Walk the path running through the island and the cedar forest to the otherworldly beach of Chrissi Ammos. Hunt for seashells, check out the rockier coast of the island, or make the trek to the island’s lighthouse.  Swim in turquoise crystal clear waters and soak up the sun in this magical and totally undisturbed place of natural beauty.

Embark on an adventure and experience this scuba activity suitable for first-timers. Enjoy 45 minutes of theoretical training and 45 minutes inside the water.  Learn from a local experienced and licensed instructor who will teach you how to breathe and move underwater. Get introduced to the marvelous experience of diving. Enjoy a pickup from your accommodation in Heraklion or in Agia Pelagia. Board a small boat to go out to deep waters and enjoy a truly memorable experience. The experienced crew is with you at all times.