From Naxos: Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

The most unusual part of this Naxos boat trip comes before lunch: you stop above a World War II airplane wreck near Alimia, Iraklia. The clear water lets you look down at the remains of an Arado AR196, take photos, and snorkel above a piece of wartime history in a quiet bay.

I like the mix of small beaches and local food, especially the two-hour BBQ stop at Fidou with souvlaki, salads, fruit, drinks, and vegetarian and vegan choices. I also like the time at Agios Georgios, where you can swim, sit in tree shade, or walk into Iraklia’s little capital village. The main caution is that routes can change. On one windy day, the boat substituted Rina Cave and Koufonisi, so confirm the plan before you set out.

Key points to know before you book

• The airplane wreck near Alimia gives the day an unusual historical edge, not just another round of beach stops.
• Fidou provides the longest beach break, with two hours for swimming and a BBQ served with local wine, water, soft drinks, and fresh fruit.
• Agios Georgios combines beach and village time, with yellow sand, turquoise water, shade trees, benches, and local cafés.
• Karvounolakos is a small, quiet cove, but sea urchins make water shoes or careful footing a smart idea.
• The boat leaves Agia Anna at 10 a.m. and returns around 7:30 p.m., making this a full day rather than a quick outing.
• Weather can affect the route, and the boat may offer different islands or bays if the planned course is not practical.

A full day from Agia Anna to the Small Cyclades

This is a nine-hour sailing day from Naxos, beginning at the Agia Anna dock. Look for the boat named Mikros Kosmos II. The published departure is 10 a.m., with a return around 7:30 p.m., so you are giving the better part of a day to the sea.

That timing matters. You are not rushing through three islands in a couple of hours. The trip allows for several swims, a proper lunch stop, and time ashore in Agios Georgios. The tradeoff is simple: if you want a relaxed beach-and-boat day, the length works well. If you prefer short excursions with plenty of time back on Naxos, nine hours may feel long.

The boat follows Naxos’s west coast before crossing toward Iraklia and Schinoussa. Much of the pleasure comes from being on the water between stops, with the islands appearing from a different angle than you get from a ferry or a road. Bring a hat and sunscreen. There is little point pretending the Greek sun will take it easy on you.

An English-speaking host is provided, but no individual guide name is supplied. You should also give the operator your full name, birthday, and accommodation details before the trip. That information is used to direct you to the nearest pickup point if one is needed.

The Arado AR196 wreck at Alimia

After roughly two hours, the first major stop comes near Alimia, on Iraklia. The captain pauses above the wreck of a World War II Arado AR196 airplane. You have time to take photographs and use the provided snorkel equipment to look down at it.

This is the kind of stop that gives the day more character than a standard swimming cruise. You are not simply moving from one attractive cove to the next. The wreck connects the surrounding sea to a specific moment in the past, while the quiet setting keeps the experience low-key.

Do not expect a museum-style presentation or a long historical talk. The appeal is the chance to see the wreck in its underwater setting. Visibility, wind, and sea conditions will affect how clearly you can view it. The boat includes snorkels, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles, but you still need to be comfortable in open water.

The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and that warning matters most here. You should also avoid booking if you have a pre-existing medical condition that could make swimming or a full day at sea unsafe.

Karvounolakos, a small bay with a wild edge

The next stop is Karvounolakos, a small Iraklia bay with green-blue water. It is presented as one of the island’s distinctive beach spots, and its compact size gives it a more secluded feel than Agios Georgios.

You might even find goats nearby, adding a touch of island life to the scene. There are no promises of a wildlife encounter, of course, but the setting is less polished than a developed resort beach.

The practical warning here is sea urchins. Watch where you put your feet, especially near rocks, and consider bringing water shoes if you have them. The tour supplies beach and water equipment, but water shoes are not listed among the included items.

The stop is mainly about swimming. If you need broad sand, shade, or a café, this is not the place to count on those comforts. Save your longer beach break and village facilities for later in the day.

Fidou gives you two hours and a Greek BBQ

Fidou is a sandy beach with turquoise water and no trees for shade. That lack of cover is the one detail to plan around. You get an inviting seabed and a quiet setting, but your hat, sunscreen, and beachwear will be doing the work that umbrellas or trees would do elsewhere.

This is the main lunch stop, lasting about two hours. The crew serves a BBQ built around pork or chicken souvlaki, along with salads and side dishes, fresh fruit, water, soft drinks, and local wine. Vegetarian and vegan choices are also available, which makes the meal more useful for mixed groups.

I like the way lunch is built into the beach time. You do not have to choose between eating and swimming, and you are not paying extra for a restaurant meal on shore. The food is Greek and straightforward, the sort of meal that suits a day in the sun better than anything fussy.

The included drinks add real value to the $79 price. Additional drinks can be purchased, but the main supply of water and soft drinks is covered. If you want something specific beyond what is provided, bring money for extras.

Because Fidou has no tree shade, try to claim a sensible place for your belongings and limit direct sun during the hottest part of the stop. The trip provides sunbeds, but availability and placement can matter when everyone arrives at once.

Agios Georgios brings beach and village time together

The final major stop is Agios Georgios, the most accessible and popular beach on Iraklia. The sand is yellow, the water is turquoise, and trees provide shade along with rows of benches.

This is a more comfortable place to spend time than Karvounolakos or Fidou if you want a break from open sun. You can swim, sit under the trees, or walk into the village and settle at a local café. That variety makes the stop work for people who do not want to spend every minute in the water.

You have about two hours here. I would use the first part for a swim and the second for a short walk through Agios Georgios. Do not expect a long island tour. The village time is meant to be easy and informal, a chance to see a little of Iraklia beyond its beaches.

The boat leaves at about 6 p.m. and reaches Agia Anna around 7:30 p.m. The return crossing gives you a final stretch on the water, but remember that wind can affect comfort and timing. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels mildest and bring whatever personal remedy you normally use.

What the $79 price really covers

At $79 per person, this is a good-value day if you make use of the full package. You are paying for a long sailing trip, several swimming stops, the WWII wreck stop, an English-speaking host, BBQ lunch, drinks, fresh fruit, sunbeds, snorkel gear, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles.

The lunch and drinks are important to the calculation. A cheaper boat trip that leaves food and equipment to you may not end up costing much less once you add beach supplies and a meal. Here, the basics are handled.

The value is less clear if you mainly want time on one particular island. This is a moving day with several stops, not a ferry transfer or a private charter. You share the schedule with the group, and the boat’s pace and route shape the day.

One published rating for the experience is 4.1 out of 5 from 34 ratings. The strongest praise centers on the friendly crew and the Greek lunch. One particularly useful warning concerns communication about route changes. On a windy day, the advertised Schinoussa and Iraklia plan was replaced by Rina Cave and Koufonisi, and the change was not communicated before departure. That is a fair reason to confirm the route on the morning of the trip if a specific island matters to you.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a social, all-day outing that combines swimming, food, scenery, and a little history. It suits couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers who enjoy variety more than a fixed beach routine.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Naxos and want to see smaller Cycladic islands without arranging separate ferries. The boat handles the crossings, lunch, and water gear in one booking.

You should think twice if you dislike wind, waves, or long periods on a boat. The vessel was described as somewhat slow on one alternate route, and strong wind created large waves that day. Conditions vary, but this is still a sea excursion, not a calm harbor ride.

It is not suitable for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. High-heeled shoes, pets, and nudity are not allowed. Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Keep your bag light and protect electronics from spray.

Handling route changes and expectations

The advertised sequence includes Alimia, Karvounolakos, Fidou, Schinoussa, and Agios Georgios on Iraklia, with the most detailed timing focused on Iraklia’s beaches and village. In practice, wind and sea conditions may lead the captain to choose another route.

That is not automatically a flaw. A captain may need to alter the course for comfort or safety. The problem comes when you have booked the day mainly for one named island and do not learn about the change until you reach the boat.

My advice is practical: ask at the dock whether the planned route is still operating before you board. If the answer is no, decide if the replacement stops suit you. On one altered day, the alternatives were Rina Cave and Koufonisi. Koufonisi is attractive enough to make the change worthwhile for some people, but not if you have already scheduled a separate visit there and chose this cruise specifically for Schinoussa and Iraklia.

The flexible cancellation policy helps. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful when your Naxos plans depend on weather, though they do not solve a same-day route change.

Should you book the Schinoussa and Iraklia cruise?

Book it if you want a full Greek island day with several swims, an unusual wreck stop, an included BBQ, and some time in an actual village. The friendly crew and well-stocked lunch are the strongest reasons to choose it, while the mix of quiet coves and Agios Georgios keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed visit to one specific island, dislike open-water conditions, or want a fast boat. Before departure, confirm the route and ask about the sea conditions. If the planned stops are operating, $79 is a fair price for the food, equipment, and nine hours at sea.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at the taxi stand and dock at Agia Anna in Naxos. Look for the boat named Mikros Kosmos II.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat leaves at approximately 10 a.m. Starting times should be confirmed when you check availability.

What time does the cruise return?

The boat departs Iraklia at about 6 p.m. and returns to Agia Anna at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes pork or chicken souvlaki, salads, side dishes, fresh fruit, and drinks. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, and local wine are included. Additional drinks are available to purchase.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, life jackets, sea-pool noodles, and sunbeds are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route may change because of conditions. One alternate plan included Rina Cave and Koufonisi instead of Schinoussa and Iraklia.

Is the activity suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.