Dia Island

Dia is a small island in the Gulf of Iraklio (9 miles north of Heraklion) surrounded by small rocky islets. The island has steep cliffs covered with phrygana and other scrub. This is an important site for breeding seabirds and species associated with coastal cliffs. This island is uninhabited and un-spoilt and is only populated by Zeus's beloved Kri-Kri goats. One can reach this small island by boat that departs from Heraklion port. Usually especially in summer season, there are organized one day excursion to the island, where guests can visit the area of St. George in which a small church lies dedicated to St. George. Also in the island exists a tavern with delicious food and recipes. Further some research that was carried out by Jacques Iv Cousteau were found some important evidence of shipwrecks dated back to the Minoan era till recent period. In 1972 Jacques Cousteau was on Dia Island for six months searching for the lost Atlantis (the most possible point of its existence, between Creta and Santorini). Dia Island is a national park and a protected archeological area. Visitors can wonder around only on 1/10th of it and it is forbidden to take any kind of plant or stones, especially ceramics, from the bottom of the sea.