From Naxos: Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

The best part may be underwater. This full-day cruise from Naxos combines a World War II airplane wreck at Alimia with swimming stops, a generous Greek BBQ, and time in Iraklia’s small capital, Agios Georgios. I especially like the unusual wreck stop and the chance to visit two quieter Cycladic islands in one day.

I also like that lunch includes plenty beyond meat: Greek salad, potatoes, pasta, vegetable rice, spetzofai, bread, fruit, and vegetarian-friendly choices. The main drawback is the long day at sea. Wind can be strong, the itinerary depends on weather, and the 30-minute swim stop at Iraklia may feel brief if you want a lazy beach day.

Key points before you book

• The Alimia airplane wreck is the star attraction: You can snorkel above a World War II Arado AR196 aircraft and take photographs from the boat.
• The cruise lasts nine hours: Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. from Agia Anna and return is planned for 7 p.m.
• Lunch is more than a quick snack: The onboard BBQ includes souvlaki, salads, potatoes, pasta, vegetable rice, spetzofai, bread, fruit, soft drinks, water, and wine.
• Schinoussa receives the longest beach stop: Expect about two hours around Tsigouri or Livadi, with a possible final stop at Gerolimionas if conditions allow.
• Agios Georgios offers a change of pace: After swimming, you get about two hours to stroll through Iraklia’s picturesque village.
• This is an active boat day: It is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Leaving Agia Anna at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is the taxi stand at Agia Anna. On the dock, look for the boat marked NAVIGATOR. You should arrive ready for a full day outside, since the schedule moves from open water to beaches and back again.

The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns around 7 p.m. That timing matters if you are planning dinner, an evening ferry, or another activity in Naxos. The cruise gives you a broad sample of Schinoussa and Iraklia, but it takes nearly the entire daylight day.

The route follows the west coast of Naxos before crossing toward Iraklia. The first major stop comes after roughly two hours, so bring water, sun protection, and something to keep you comfortable while underway. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and beach clothing are all useful. High-heeled shoes, pets, and nudity are not allowed.

The boat provides sunbeds, loungers, masks, life jackets, a lifebuoy, and sea-pool noodles. That equipment makes the swimming portions easier, especially if you want flotation support. Still, the activity is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers.

Alimia and the World War II Arado AR196 wreck

This is the most unusual stop of the day. Before reaching Alimia, the captain pauses over the wreck of a World War II Arado AR196 airplane. You have time to look, photograph it, and enter the water with snorkeling equipment.

The wreck gives the cruise a clear sense of purpose beyond simply moving between beaches. Many boat trips offer a swim in a pretty cove. Far fewer add the chance to see a military aircraft resting beneath the surface. You do not need to be a history specialist to enjoy it. The sight of an airplane underwater is strange, memorable, and easy to explain to children.

Conditions will shape how much you see. The supplied schedule allows about 30 minutes for swimming at Iraklia, and the wreck stop is part of that early section of the trip. If the sea is choppy or visibility is poor, the aircraft may be harder to spot. The captain controls the stop based on safety and weather, so treat the wreck as a major possibility, not a guaranteed underwater viewing experience in perfect conditions.

Bring a waterproof phone case if you want your own pictures. The boat provides masks and life jackets, but personal snorkeling gear can be useful if you prefer a particular fit.

Two hours at Tsigouri or Livadi in Schinoussa

After the wreck stop, the cruise continues to Schinoussa for the main beach break. The listed options are Tsigouri or Livadi, with around two hours for swimming and lunch.

This is the most relaxed part of the schedule. You can get into the water, settle on a sunbed, and eat without the pressure of a short port call. The beaches are presented as some of the prettiest on the route, but the main value is the combination of food and swimming in one stop.

Do not expect the cruise to function like a private beach transfer. The boat’s schedule has to serve the whole group, and the exact beach can change. You may find that one cove is used instead of another because of wind or sea conditions. That flexibility is sensible, though it means you will not have complete control over the day.

Schinoussa is also where the trip earns much of its price. You are not paying only for transport between islands. You are receiving a full meal, drinks, equipment, and several hours in the water, all within a single day from Naxos.

An onboard Greek BBQ with plenty of choice

Lunch includes pork or chicken souvlaki, traditional Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, vegetable rice, fresh bread, and fresh fruit. Drinks include water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, orange juice, and local wine during the meal.

The menu is useful for mixed groups. Meat eaters have skewers, while vegetarian and vegan diners have several substantial dishes rather than only salad and bread. The vegetable rice, pasta, potatoes, salad, and fruit help make lunch feel like a proper meal.

The food is served as part of the cruise, so you avoid spending time searching for a restaurant on a small island. That is a practical advantage. It also keeps the day moving, leaving more time for swimming and the village visit.

The main limitation is that this is an onboard BBQ, not a carefully paced restaurant lunch. If you have strict dietary needs, confirm what can be prepared before booking. The available information confirms vegetarian and vegan options, but it does not list allergy procedures or special menus.

Several strong ratings focus on the food being abundant and tasty. One party also appreciated the Greek music and the space available on the boat. Those touches matter on a nine-hour outing. A crowded boat, limited food, and no shade would make a long sea day tiring. Here, the combination of lunch, loungers, music, and open-water views helps break up the journey.

Two hours in Agios Georgios, Iraklia

The next scheduled stop is Agios Georgios in Iraklia, where you have about two hours for a village break. This is a welcome change after the beach stop.

Agios Georgios is Iraklia’s picturesque capital village. The plan is simple: walk around, take in the small-island setting, and enjoy time on land before returning to the boat. You are not being rushed through a long list of sights. That suits the character of a small Cycladic island, where the pleasure comes from a quiet stroll rather than a packed sightseeing program.

I would use this stop to stretch your legs, take photographs, and enjoy the contrast between the open sea and the village. If you have children, the break also gives them a chance to leave the boat and reset before the return journey.

The itinerary gives Agios Georgios the same approximate amount of time as the Schinoussa stop, but the experience is different. Schinoussa is built around swimming and lunch. Iraklia is your chance to walk. Keeping both stops in the program makes the cruise feel more varied than a day spent only at anchor.

A possible final swim at Gerolimionas

If weather permits, the last stop is Gerolimionas in Schinoussa. This is intended as a final swim before the cruise heads back toward Naxos.

Because it depends on conditions, you should not build your expectations around this stop. If it goes ahead, it gives the day a pleasant finish, especially for anyone who still wants one more swim. If strong wind or rough water makes it unsafe, the captain may need to shorten or change the plan.

That weather flexibility is important in the Cyclades. One September outing encountered wind approaching 40 kilometers per hour from the north, yet the passenger reported handling the boat well despite some usual seasickness. That is encouraging, but it should not be read as a promise of calm conditions or a seasickness-free ride.

If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the boat feels most stable, watch the horizon, and consider bringing your usual remedy. The available information does not specify which part of the boat is best, so ask the crew when you board.

Is $94 a fair price?

At $94 per person, this is a good-value day if you want several experiences bundled together. The price includes the sailing trip, food, drinks during lunch, water, snorkeling masks, life jackets, loungers, and the island stops.

You also get access to places that would be awkward to combine independently in one day from Naxos. Arranging separate boat transport to Iraklia and Schinoussa, then finding lunch and beach time, would take more planning and might cost more once food and equipment are added.

The value is strongest for families, couples, and small groups who want variety. You can see the airplane wreck, swim at more than one beach, eat a full meal, and walk through Agios Georgios without changing hotels or arranging several transfers.

The value is weaker if you dislike fixed schedules or prefer long, quiet time at one beach. You may also find the day less appealing if you are not comfortable in open water. This is a boat excursion first, with sightseeing on land added around it.

The overall rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 74 ratings, which fits the experience described here: strong appeal, good food, friendly service, and memorable stops, with some concern about organization and occasional communication.

Crew, organization, and weather concerns

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly and helpful. The captain was also credited with handling rough water well, and one crew member jumped into the water to recover a child’s sunglasses. Those details suggest a crew that pays attention and responds when something goes wrong.

The main organizational concern is that the journey plan may not always feel perfectly coordinated. Allowances for weather, changing beach stops, and sea conditions are normal, but the schedule can feel less tidy when plans shift.

There was also a serious communication problem in one case, when the boat did not depart and the booking holder was not notified before traveling to Agia Anna. That appears to be an isolated but important warning. If your outing is close to the end of your holiday, confirm the departure with Naxos Island Tours before setting out, especially if the weather looks poor.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still moving, though they do not remove the need to check the meeting point and departure status.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full day with several distinct parts:

• A memorable underwater sight
• Beach swimming at Schinoussa and Iraklia
• A substantial Greek meal
• Time in a small island village
• A boat ride with music and open-water views

Families can benefit from the changing pace. The airplane wreck, swimming, food, and village walk keep the day from becoming repetitive. The crew’s helpful attitude is another plus when children are aboard.

It also suits confident swimmers and people who enjoy being on a boat for most of the day. Snorkeling gear and flotation equipment are provided, but you still need to be comfortable entering the sea.

I would think twice if you need wheelchair access, are a non-swimmer, or have a pre-existing medical condition. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or non-swimmers, and the operator specifically warns people with medical conditions against taking part.

Should you book the Schinoussa and Iraklia cruise?

Book it if the idea of snorkeling above a World War II airplane appeals to you, and if you want a well-filled day rather than a short boat transfer. The combination of the Alimia wreck, Schinoussa swimming, BBQ lunch, Agios Georgios, and a possible final swim gives you a lot for $94.

Skip it if you want complete freedom, guaranteed calm water, or a slow day at one beach. Before departure, confirm the boat is running, check the weather, and arrive at the Agia Anna taxi stand looking for NAVIGATOR.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the taxi stand at Agia Anna port. On the dock, look for NAVIGATOR.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., with return to Agia Anna planned for around 7 p.m. The total duration is about nine hours.

What food is included?

Lunch includes Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice with vegetables, fresh bread, fresh fruit, and pork or chicken souvlaki. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water is included, and lunch drinks include Coca-Cola, Sprite, orange juice, and wine.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. You may also want a waterproof case for your phone.

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 recommended for people with pre-existing medical conditions.