From Naxos: Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

The most unusual part of this cruise is the World War II airplane wreck at Alimia. You can stop above the sunken Arado AR196, take photos, and enter the clear water with a mask to see it below. That is a far more memorable reason to leave Naxos than simply spending another day on a crowded beach.

I like the mix of quiet coves and real village time. The BBQ lunch at Fidou includes souvlaki, salads, sides, fruit, and drinks, while the later stop at Agios Georgios gives you benches, trees, cafes, and a chance to walk ashore. The main consideration is the sea: the boat is not fast, and strong wind can bring large waves or force a change of route.

Key points to know before booking

• The wreck stop is the cruise’s most distinctive feature: See the remains of a WWII Arado AR196 near Alimia, Iraklia, from the water.
• You get two kinds of beach time: Quiet bays such as Karvounolakos and Fidou, plus the easier, more developed beach at Agios Georgios.
• Lunch is part of the day: Expect pork or chicken souvlaki, salads, sides, fresh fruit, water, soft drinks, local wine, and vegetarian or vegan choices.
• The day runs long: Plan on roughly 10:00 to 19:30, with about nine hours on the water and ashore.
• The route depends on conditions: Wind can bring rough water or lead to a different plan, so confirm the route before boarding.
• Bring basic beach gear: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Snorkel equipment, life jackets, noodles, and sunbeds are supplied.

Setting out from Agia Anna at 10:00

The boat leaves from Agia Anna port, on the west side of Naxos. At the dock, look for Mikros Kosmos II. The stated meeting point is the Agia Anna taxi stand, and you are asked to provide your accommodation details so the operator can direct you to the nearest pickup point.

I would arrive early enough to find the boat without rushing. This is a full-day outing, and a late start means less time at the coves and village stops. You should also send your full name and birth date as requested when booking.

The first part of the cruise follows Naxos’s west coast. You get an open-water view of the island rather than the usual road-and-beach perspective, but remember that this is a sailing trip, not a high-speed transfer. The boat may take about two hours to reach the first main area, and the pace is part of the day.

The cruise ends back at Agia Anna at about 19:30. You leave the boat around 18:00 for the return run, so allow the entire day for this outing. I would not pair it with an evening booking that cannot be moved.

The Arado AR196 wreck at Alimia

Before reaching Alimia, the captain stops near the WWII Arado AR196 airplane wreck. You can take photographs from the boat and use the provided snorkel equipment to look down into the water.

This is not a museum visit with signs or a guided historical presentation. The interest comes from seeing an actual aircraft site in the sea, in a quiet setting around Iraklia. For many people, it will be the most distinctive stop of the day.

The wreck stop also shows why you should bring a waterproof phone pouch or camera protection if you have it. The supplied information promises time for photos and water access, but it does not describe a large organized snorkeling program. Treat it as a short, informal look at the site rather than a technical wreck excursion.

You should be comfortable in open water here. Life jackets and sea-pool noodles are available, which helps, but the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. Anyone with a pre-existing medical condition should also think carefully before booking.

Karvounolakos, a small bay with clear water

After the wreck, the boat heads to Karvounolakos, a small beach on Iraklia. The water is described as green-blue, and the bay has a quiet, natural feel. You might even see goats near the shore.

This is the kind of stop I value on a boat day. You get away from the island’s main settlement and spend time in a simple cove rather than a developed resort setting. The tradeoff is equally simple: there may be little shade, few facilities, and no promise of a long beach walk.

Watch for sea urchins when entering the water. Water shoes are a smart addition, even though they are not listed as required equipment. Swim slowly near rocks and avoid placing your feet where you cannot see the seabed.

The timetable lists about 30 minutes for swimming at Iraklia, though the detailed route also mentions additional beach stops. Exact time can depend on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. Think of Karvounolakos as a scenic water stop, not a full beach afternoon.

Fidou beach and the BBQ lunch

The cruise then continues to Fidou, a sandy beach with turquoise water and an inviting seabed. This is the main meal stop, with about two hours set aside for swimming and lunch.

Fidou has no trees for shade, so this is where your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen matter most. Sunbeds are included, but shade is not guaranteed by the information provided. If you burn easily, apply sunscreen before boarding and bring a cover-up.

The meal centers on Greek souvlaki, with pork or chicken skewers, salads, side dishes, fresh fruit, and drinks. Water and soft drinks are included, along with local wine. Vegetarian and vegan choices are also available, which makes the meal more useful for a mixed group.

I like the way lunch is built into the day rather than treated as an afterthought. You do not need to leave a remote beach searching for food, and the meal gives the group a natural break from swimming. At $79 per person, the included food, drinks, equipment, and long boat day make the price reasonable, especially if you value a full itinerary.

Still, this is a group BBQ, not a private restaurant meal. The supplied information does not specify the exact menu beyond the main items, so anyone with a serious allergy should ask the operator for details before departure. Additional drinks are available to purchase, but they are not included.

Schinoussa and the question of route changes

The experience is presented as a cruise to Schinoussa and Iraklia, with swimming and lunch connected to the island stops. The route details focus most closely on Iraklia’s Alimia, Karvounolakos, Fidou, and Agios Georgios, while the timetable also lists Schinoussa for lunch and swimming.

That difference is worth clarifying before you pay. Ask which island will receive the longest stop on your sailing date and whether the BBQ will be served at Fidou or during the Schinoussa portion. The route can shift with wind and sea conditions.

One booking party arrived expecting Schinoussa and Iraklia but was offered Rina Cave and Koufonisi instead because the original plan was not operating that day. The boat continued, but the change was frustrating because the alternative destination had already been planned for another day. This is useful advice: confirm the route at the port before boarding, especially if you have already visited Koufonisi or have another excursion planned there.

A second practical point concerns the boat’s speed. The boat was described as slow, and a windy day produced large waves at times. That does not make the trip a poor choice, but it means you should not book it only as a fast way to reach another island. The attraction is the whole day at sea, with several stops along the way.

Two hours at Agios Georgios village

The last major stop is Agios Georgios on Iraklia, with about two hours to swim, sit, or walk through the village. This is the most accessible and popular beach on the island, with yellow sand, turquoise water, trees for shade, and rows of benches.

After the quieter coves, Agios Georgios provides a welcome change. You can leave the boat and settle under a tree, take a proper walk, or relax at a local cafe. If you have had enough salt water by this point, the village stop gives you something else to do.

I especially like this part for people who do not want nine hours of nonstop swimming. The day has a clear rhythm: open water, a wreck, small beaches, a meal, then a settled village beach before the return cruise.

Do not expect an extensive town tour. The stop is mainly free time, not a guided walk through Iraklia. The focus is on the beach and a short look around Agios Georgios. Two hours is enough for a relaxed visit, but not for a detailed exploration of the entire island.

What is included, and what you should bring

The boat provides sunbeds, snorkel equipment, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles. These inclusions matter because a beach cruise becomes less convenient when you must rent every basic item at each stop.

Pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable beachwear
• Water shoes if you have sensitive feet
• A waterproof case for your phone

High-heeled shoes, pets, and nudity are not allowed. The cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

English is the listed language, and an English-speaking host or greeter is provided. No individual guide names are supplied, so do not book this expecting a named historian or specialist wreck guide. The crew’s role is mainly to run the boat, manage the stops, serve lunch, and help with the included equipment.

How the $79 price measures up

At $79, this is priced as a full-day island cruise rather than a simple ferry ride. You are paying for about nine hours, several stops, a BBQ lunch, drinks, beach equipment, and an English-speaking crew.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, snorkel gear, and beach seating. The wreck stop also gives the day a clear point of difference from a standard beach-hopping trip. The included local wine and fruit add to the meal without requiring you to bring provisions.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick visit to one island. The boat is not described as fast, and the sailing time takes up a meaningful part of the day. You may also find the price less attractive if the route changes to an island you already planned to visit independently.

The cancellation terms reduce some risk: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful in Naxos, where wind can affect sea plans. I would still check the confirmed route close to departure.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to people who want a relaxed day on the water with several kinds of stops. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families with confident swimmers who enjoy swimming, simple food, and a flexible island route.

The cruise is particularly good for you if:

• You want to see Iraklia without arranging several separate boat trips.
• You like unusual sights such as a WWII airplane wreck.
• You prefer a supplied lunch rather than carrying food.
• You want both quiet beaches and a village stop.
• You are happy to let the captain set the pace.

I would hesitate if you get seasick, dislike long boat rides, need guaranteed shade, or want a tightly fixed route. I would also choose a different outing if you are looking for a detailed historical tour or a fast transfer between islands.

The overall rating of 4.1 from 34 ratings suggests a generally positive experience with some real-world limits. The strongest praise centers on the friendly crew, beautiful island stops, and excellent Greek-style lunch. The main warning concerns route changes and rough conditions, not the food or the scenery.

Should you book the Iraklia and Schinoussa cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming, a memorable WWII wreck stop, and a generous BBQ meal for $79. The combination of Alimia, quiet Iraklia beaches, and Agios Georgios gives the day more variety than a single beach transfer.

Before you commit, confirm the planned route, ask where the lunch stop will be, and accept that wind may change the schedule. If you are a confident swimmer who enjoys an unhurried boat day, this is a solid way to see more of the Small Cyclades from Naxos. If you need calm seas, strict timing, or a guaranteed destination, keep your plans flexible or choose a more fixed excursion.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Agia Anna port. At the dock, look for the boat named Mikros Kosmos II. The stated meeting point is the Agia Anna taxi stand.

What time does the cruise start and finish?

The planned departure is at 10:00. The boat is expected to leave for the return trip at about 18:00 and arrive back at Agia Anna around 19:30.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The experience is planned around Iraklia and Schinoussa. The detailed stops include Alimia, Karvounolakos, Fidou, and Agios Georgios on Iraklia, with the timetable also listing Schinoussa for lunch and swimming.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes pork or chicken souvlaki, salads, side dishes, fresh fruit, water, soft drinks, and local wine. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, life jackets, sea-pool noodles, and sunbeds are included. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Is the cruise suitable for non-swimmers or wheelchair users?

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

Can the route change?

Yes. The route may change because of wind or sea conditions. Confirm the planned destinations before boarding, particularly if you have already arranged a separate visit to Koufonisi or another island.