Dia Island, Crete: The Uninhabited Islet off Heraklion
Dia is a small, uninhabited island off the north coast of Crete, about 15 kilometers from Heraklion, 12 square kilometers in size. On clear days Dia is visible from resorts such as Agia Pelagia, Ammoudara, Amnissos and Kokkini Chani, and from Heraklion its outline looks a little like a lizard - the shape behind the myth that Zeus turned an attacking lizard to stone with a thunderbolt.
- Off
- N Crete
- From Heraklion
- ~15 km
- Size
- 12 km²
- Population
- Uninhabited
The island of Dia
Dia lies off the north coast of Crete, about 15 kilometers from the capital Heraklion, and covers 12 square kilometers. The island is uninhabited today. On clear days you can see it from the coastal resorts of Agia Pelagia, Ammoudara, Amnissos and Kokkini Chani. Seen from Heraklion, Dia resembles a lizard, and a local story tells that Crete was once attacked by a very big lizard which the god Zeus turned to stone with a thunderbolt.
Wildlife on Dia
Dia is a refuge for protected wildlife. A number of protected animals live on the island, including the rare Kri-Kri goat, a particular kind of snail, a wild rabbit, an eagle and a special lizard. Several protected plant species also grow on Dia.
The sunken Minoan harbour
In 1976 Jacques Cousteau explored Dia and found an ancient Minoan port under the water off the south side of the island, in the bay of Agios Georgios between Dia and Heraklion. He found large rectangular and square rocks that had served as an artificial breakwater. It is assumed to be an old harbour of the Minoan kingdom of Knossos, and that the island was inhabited at that time. It was likely destroyed and sank during the great volcanic eruption of Santorini in 1450 BC.
Visiting Dia by boat
Excursions to Dia run from Heraklion, with the boat trip taking about an hour and a half. Once there you can swim in the bay and visit the small church on the island.
