Agios Georgios bay, Dia
Dia is a small uninhabited island located 12 miles north of Heraklion city. During the summer, some excursion boats run daily to Dia, where the visitor can admire the rugged landscape of the island and swim in the crystal clear waters. The place where the boats stop is called the port of Agios Georgios (Saint George).
Agios Georgios is the first bay of Dia (starting from west), where there is a large pier for the tourist boats, although there is another one pier on the opposite site, just below the scenic chapel of Analipsis (Ascension). This well protected cove was one of the major ports for the Minoans, as evidenced by the in situ exploration by Jacques Yves Cousteau. There was once one tavern on the island that used to operate just next to the pier, but now it's abandoned. Just on the west, there is a small sandy beach. The beach is fantastic, the water is turquoise and is not affected by frequent north winds.
If you walk to the west, towards the chapel of Analipsis (Ascension of Christ), you will find two more sandy tiny beaches next to the trail. If you continue walking in the path, you'll reach the picturesque Church of the Ascension. When the church celebrates, many ships come from Heraklion, even the big ferries! The church is really beautiful and the view from its yard is fantastic. Just next to the church, you can still see the ruins of an older chapel and the shelter of Dia. If you want, you can stay overnight in the shelter, but you should at first come into contact with the Port Office of Heraklion for the key and permission.
