From Naxos: Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

Saltwater, small islands, and a sunlit wreck. This 9-hour cruise from Agia Anna offers a fine mix of swimming, a WWII Arado AR196 airplane wreck at Alimia, a Greek BBQ, and time in Iraklia’s little capital, Agios Georgios. I especially like the chance to see quiet coves that are hard to reach on your own, and I like that lunch includes pork or chicken souvlaki, salads, fruit, drinks, and vegetarian and vegan choices.

The main caution is the schedule. The boat leaves at 10:00 and returns around 19:30, so this is a full day in the sun. The boat can feel slow in strong wind, and one past departure changed islands without advance notice. If you care deeply about visiting Schinoussa and Iraklia specifically, confirm the route before setting out.

Key Points Before You Book

• The Alimia aircraft wreck is the unusual highlight: You can swim above a World War II Arado AR196 airplane and take photos from the water.
• Fidou is the main lunch stop: Expect about two hours at a sandy, quiet beach with turquoise water and a BBQ meal.
• Karvounolakos is a small natural cove: Its green-blue water is inviting, though sea urchins make water shoes a sensible choice.
• Agios Georgios gives you more than a swim: You have time for the yellow-sand beach, shaded benches, village streets, and local cafés.
• The $79 price covers a lot: Lunch, drinks, fruit, sunbeds, snorkel gear, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles are included.
• This is an active sea day: It is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Setting Out From Agia Anna at 10:00

Your meeting point is the taxi stand at Agia Anna. On the dock, look for Mikros Kosmos II. The boat follows the west coast of Naxos, giving you a long opening stretch at sea before the first major stop.

The timing matters. You are scheduled to reach the Alimia area in roughly two hours, then continue through several swimming stops before returning to Agia Anna around 19:30. This is not a quick half-day outing. You will spend most of the day exposed to sun, wind, and open water, so bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a light beach cover-up.

You should also send your full name, birthday date, and accommodation details when booking. The operator uses your accommodation information to direct you to the nearest pickup point. The host speaks English, which keeps the practical side of the day simple.

The boat provides sunbeds, snorkel equipment, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles. That is useful if you want to keep your packing light, though I would still bring water shoes if you have them. The coves can have sea urchins, and bare feet are not ideal around rocky seabeds.

Alimia and the Arado AR196 Wreck

The first memorable stop comes near Alimia, off Iraklia. Beneath the water rests a World War II Arado AR196 aircraft. The captain stops so you can swim above the wreck, take photographs, and look below the surface.

This is the feature that gives the cruise a little more character than a standard beach day. You are not simply moving from one patch of sand to another. The wreck adds a clear point of interest, and it is especially appealing if you enjoy old machinery, military history, or unusual places that you cannot see from a road.

The information provided does not promise a guided explanation of the aircraft, so think of this as a self-directed water stop rather than a formal history presentation. You will have time to look and take pictures, but visibility can affect what you see. Wind and waves also matter. On a calm day, the stop should feel more rewarding than on a rough one.

You need to be comfortable in the water here. Life jackets and flotation noodles are available, but the experience is not suitable for non-swimmers. If you prefer to remain on board, you can still enjoy the setting, though the wreck itself is a water-based attraction.

Karvounolakos, a Tiny Cove on Iraklia

After Alimia, the boat heads to Karvounolakos, a small bay with green-blue water. This stop feels more natural and less structured. You can swim, float, use the snorkel gear, or simply sit back and enjoy the cove.

The beach is known for its quiet setting, and goats may appear along the shore. That detail gives the stop a distinctly island feel, but do not expect facilities or much shade. The main attraction is the water and the short break from the boat.

Watch your footing. Sea urchins may be present, so water shoes are worth packing. Even if you normally swim barefoot, rocky Greek coves can be unforgiving. A pair of simple reef shoes can make entering and leaving the water easier.

The stop at Iraklia is listed as about 30 minutes in the itinerary, although the day’s timing can vary with sea conditions and the captain’s decisions. Use the time well. Keep your towel and sunscreen handy, and do not wander far from the boat.

Fidou Beach and the Two-Hour BBQ

Fidou is the main beach stop and lunch break. It has soft sand, turquoise water, and a more isolated feel, but there are no trees for shade. You will spend about two hours here, so this is the point where a sun hat, sunscreen, and a towel become essential rather than optional.

Lunch is cooked and served as a BBQ. The meal includes pork or chicken souvlaki, salads, side dishes, fresh fruit, water, soft drinks, and local wine. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, which makes the meal more flexible than a basic meat-only beach picnic.

The food is one of the strongest parts of the value. At $79 per person, you are paying for a full day on the water rather than just transportation between islands. A prepared lunch, drinks, equipment, and sunbeds reduce the small costs that can otherwise add up during a day at sea.

Additional drinks cost extra, so do not assume every beverage is covered. Water is included, along with soft drinks and local wine, but you may want to clarify what is available if you have a particular drink in mind.

Fidou works best for people who like an unhurried beach stop. Two hours gives you time to eat, swim, dry off, and rest without rushing through lunch. The tradeoff is the lack of natural shade. You may find a sunbed useful, but you should still plan for direct sun.

Agios Georgios, Iraklia’s Easygoing Capital

The final major stop is Agios Georgios, Iraklia’s capital village and its most accessible beach. You have about two hours here, giving you enough time to choose between swimming and a short village stroll.

The beach has yellow sand and turquoise water. Trees provide shade, and rows of benches make it easier to sit out of the sun. After the open, treeless setting at Fidou, Agios Georgios feels more comfortable and convenient.

I like this stop because it offers a change of pace. You are not confined to a beach towel or the boat. You can walk into the village, relax at a local café, and get a small sense of everyday island life. The stop is still short, so do not expect a full island tour. It is a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy a little independence before the return crossing.

If you want the easiest swim of the day, Agios Georgios may be your best bet. Its popularity comes from the combination of sand, shade, benches, and access to the village. That convenience also means it may feel less secluded than Karvounolakos or Fidou.

What the $79 Price Really Buys

At $79, this cruise sits in a useful middle ground for a full-day island outing. You receive approximately nine hours of activity, a BBQ meal, drinks, fruit, beach equipment, snorkel gear, flotation aids, and access to several swimming areas.

The real value depends on how you use the day. If you would otherwise need separate transport, beach food, and equipment rentals, the package is practical. You also avoid planning a route between small islands where public transport options may be limited.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is a long visit to one island. This cruise keeps moving, with stops at Alimia, Karvounolakos, Fidou, and Agios Georgios. You get variety, but not a full day at Schinoussa or Iraklia.

There is also a route-change risk to consider. On one past departure, the planned Schinoussa and Iraklia route was replaced by Rina Cave and Koufonisi on the day itself, with no advance notice. The boat still operated, but the change mattered to someone who had already planned a separate Koufonisi trip. If the exact islands are important to you, confirm the itinerary shortly before departure.

Another practical point is the boat’s speed. One account described it as somewhat slow, and strong wind created bigger waves at times. That does not make the cruise a poor choice, but it means you should not expect a fast, polished transfer between islands. The sea decides much of the schedule.

Food, Equipment, and Comfort on Board

The included food makes the long day easier. Souvlaki, salads, sides, fruit, and drinks provide a proper lunch rather than a snack between swims. Vegetarian and vegan options are specifically available, which is helpful if you do not eat meat.

You should still pack the basics. Bring sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, and swimwear. Beachwear is also listed, and it is sensible to have something dry to put on when you are no longer swimming.

Sunbeds are included, as are snorkel equipment, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles. These items make the outing more approachable for people who do not own beach gear. Still, provided equipment does not change the basic nature of the activity. You need to be comfortable around open water and able to manage a day of swimming from a boat and beaches.

High-heeled shoes, pets, and nudity are not allowed. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Those limits should be taken seriously, particularly because several stops involve entering the sea from beaches or near the boat.

Wind, Waves, and the Route-Change Question

A sailing day in the Cyclades is shaped by the weather. The cruise may be calm and easy, or it may include strong wind and larger waves. The supplied experience details do not give a weather threshold or a guaranteed alternate plan, so check conditions before you go and be ready for adjustments.

The route-change example is the most important practical warning. A substitute day visiting Rina Cave and Koufonisi can still be attractive, but it is not the same experience as seeing the Alimia wreck, Iraklia, and Schinoussa. Contact the operator before departure if you have arranged other island trips and want to avoid repeating a destination.

The cancellation policy gives you some flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Naxos plans are still shifting, though it does not guarantee the weather or the exact route on the day.

Who Will Enjoy This Sailing Day?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a broad taste of the Small Cyclades in one outing. It suits swimmers, beach lovers, couples, families with suitable older children, and anyone who likes combining scenery with a generous lunch stop.

It is also a good match if you enjoy variety. The wreck at Alimia, rocky Karvounolakos, sandy Fidou, and village beach at Agios Georgios each offer a different kind of stop. You are unlikely to feel that the whole day is spent looking at identical beaches.

I would be more cautious if you dislike long boat rides, strong sun, or changing plans. The day lasts nine hours, and some time is spent traveling between stops. It is also not a good choice if you need wheelchair access or cannot swim.

If your ideal excursion means settling into one quiet beach for most of the day, choose a simpler beach trip. If you want several island sights, a BBQ, and a memorable aircraft wreck, this outing makes better sense.

Should You Book the Schinoussa and Iraklia Cruise?

Book it if you value variety, included food, and unusual stops more than speed or complete control over the schedule. The WWII aircraft wreck is the standout feature, while the two-hour Fidou lunch stop and time in Agios Georgios give the day a comfortable rhythm.

Before paying, confirm that the planned route still includes Schinoussa and Iraklia. Then pack water shoes, sun protection, and a towel, and accept that wind may affect the ride. At $79, the cruise offers solid value for a full day with lunch and equipment, provided you are happy with an active sea outing and a schedule that may change.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at the taxi stand in Agia Anna. On the dock, look for Mikros Kosmos II.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The planned departure is at 10:00, with a return to Agia Anna at approximately 19:30. The full activity lasts about nine hours.

What food is included?

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

Is snorkel equipment provided?

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

Can I see a WWII aircraft wreck?

Yes. The boat stops at Alimia near Iraklia, where you can swim above a World War II Arado AR196 airplane wreck and take photographs.

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.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.