Day Cruise to Dia Island
Saturday, September 12th, 2026
A one-day cruise to the island of Dia.
Dia is a small, uninhabited island off the northern coast of the Heraklion area. It lies approximately 7 nautical miles offshore and has no facilities or infrastructure, apart from a church dedicated to the Ascension. The island is 5 km long, 3 km wide, and covers approximately 12 square kilometers. To the north of Dia lie two small islets, Paximadi and Petalidi.
On the southern side of the island there are four sheltered bays: Agios Georgios Bay, where the island’s only small harbor and beach are located; Kaparís Bay; Panagia Bay; and Agrielia Bay. To the east lies Agkinaras Bay.
According to legend, Zeus looked down from Mount Olympus toward his birthplace, Crete, and saw the Cretans hunting his beloved wild goats (the kri-kri) with bows and spears. The wild goats were the offspring of Amalthea, who had fed him with her milk while he was hiding from his father, Cronus.
Zeus became so angry that he decided to kill them all. He hurled a thunderbolt into the sea, and a huge monster emerged. Poseidon reminded Zeus of the protection provided by the Curetes when he was an infant, so that Cronus would not find and devour him. Zeus therefore changed his mind. He threw two paximadia (hard rusks) at the monster. As the creature approached to eat them, Zeus struck it with a thunderbolt, turning the monster and the two rusks to stone. Thus, according to the legend, the island of Dia and the two smaller islands were created.
Today we spend a day on this beautiful little island with our Club.
We depart at 09:00 from the Venetian Harbor, next to the “Marina” café, aboard sailing boats. After approximately one and a half hours of sailing, we reach the western side of the island.
Those who wish to hike begin their walk from here, following the trail that crosses almost the entire island from west to east. Those who prefer not to hike stay behind to swim and take a short walk around the area.
The boats then depart for the eastern side of the island, at the small Faros Bay. This is where the hike will finish for those who choose to walk.
After enjoying our meal aboard the boat, we depart for Heraklion Harbor, arriving at approximately 15:00.
Payment must be made to one of the EOS Heraklion bank accounts, and the Club must be notified by sending the bank deposit receipt by email to info@eos-her.gr.
PLEASE NOTE: Any bank transfer fees are your responsibility (OUR).
Alpha Bank IBAN: GR76 0140 6610 6610 0233 0001 166
Piraeus Bank IBAN: GR05 0171 9120 0069 1215 4711 881
Leader: Grigoris Karandinakis
Departure: 09:00 from Heraklion Harbor
Information – Registrations: Monday to Friday, 20:00–22:00, at the offices of the Mountaineering Club, 53 Dikaiosynis Street, Heraklion, tel.: 2810227609, email: info@eos-her.gr
