From Naxos: Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

The most unusual part of this Naxos boat trip is the stop above a World War II Arado AR196 airplane wreck near Alimia, Iraklia. You get time to look through the clear water, take photos, and snorkel before the boat moves on to quiet beaches and island villages.

I like the mix of water time and land time. The generous Greek BBQ includes souvlaki, potatoes, salad, pasta, rice with vegetables, spetzofai, bread, fruit, wine, soft drinks, and vegetarian and vegan choices. I also like the two-hour visit to Agios Georgios, which gives you more than a quick swim from the boat.

The main drawback is the long day at sea. Strong wind can make conditions rough, and the schedule may feel loosely organized. One booking was also affected when the boat did not sail and the customer was not notified in advance, so I would confirm departure close to the date.

Key points to know before booking

• The WWII airplane wreck is the day’s most unusual stop: You can snorkel above an Arado AR196 aircraft at Alimia, Iraklia.
• Lunch is more than a light snack: The onboard BBQ includes meat, vegetables, salads, pasta, rice, bread, fruit, wine, water, and soft drinks.
• You get two hours in Agios Georgios: Use the time for a village stroll rather than spending the whole day on the boat.
• The final beach stop depends on weather: Gerolimionas in Schinoussa is visited if conditions allow.
• The day suits confident swimmers: Masks, life jackets, loungers, sunbeds, and floating aids are supplied, but the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.
• The price is strong for a full-day outing: At $94 per person, the cruise combines transport between islands, lunch, drinks, equipment, and several stops.

A full day from Agia Anna to the Small Cyclades

This cruise leaves from the taxi stand and dock at Agia Anna on Naxos at 9:30, returning at about 19:00. Look for the boat marked NAVIGATOR at the dock.

That timing matters. You are not squeezing in a short morning trip before lunch. This is a full nine-hour day, with roughly two hours of sailing before the first main stop. Bring patience, sunscreen, and something warm for the ride back if the wind picks up.

The boat follows the west coast of Naxos before heading toward Iraklia and Schinoussa. The long crossing is part of the experience, but it also means you should be comfortable spending several hours on open water. A report of wind near 40 kilometers per hour still described the ride as manageable for someone who sometimes gets seasick, but that will not be true for everyone.

The crew provides sunbeds and loungers, which makes the sailing time easier. Greek music may also be played onboard. Still, I would take seasickness seriously. Sit where the boat feels most stable, drink water, and avoid making a large meal your first activity of the morning.

Snorkeling above the Arado AR196 at Alimia

The first memorable stop is near Alimia, off Iraklia. The boat pauses above the wreck of a World War II Arado AR196 airplane, giving you time to swim, snorkel, and take photographs.

This is not a standard beach stop. The appeal comes from looking down into the water and making out an aircraft resting below the surface. You should keep your expectations sensible: the experience depends on water clarity, sunlight, wind, and your comfort in the sea. It is not presented as a guided underwater history tour, so the attraction is the chance to see the wreck from above.

Masks and life jackets are supplied. A floating sea noodle and lifebuoy are also available. Even so, the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and people with pre-existing medical conditions should not book it without considering the demands of a long day on the water.

You can spend about 30 minutes swimming at this stop. That is enough for a look at the wreck and a quick swim, but not enough for a slow snorkeling session if the whole group wants a turn. Have your mask ready before the boat arrives, and keep your camera protected from spray.

Two hours at Schinoussa for swimming and BBQ lunch

The cruise then heads to Schinoussa, with Tsigouri or Livadi named as the main beach area. You get about two hours here, combining swimming with lunch onboard.

This is where the tour earns much of its price. A basic boat trip might offer bread and a drink, but this one serves a proper spread:

• Greek salad
• Oven potatoes
• Pasta
• Spetzofai
• Rice with vegetables
• Fresh bread
• Pork or chicken souvlaki
• Fresh fruit
• Water, wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite, and orange juice

The menu gives meat eaters a familiar Greek favorite, while the pasta, potatoes, rice, salad, and vegetables provide useful choices for vegetarians and vegans. I would still mention your dietary needs when booking, since the supplied information confirms options but does not promise a separate specialist menu.

There is a practical advantage to eating during a beach stop. You can swim before or after the meal rather than spending the whole afternoon seated at a restaurant. The two-hour window is long enough to make lunch feel unhurried, though it is not a full beach afternoon.

Tsigouri and Livadi are included as possible beach areas, rather than a promise that both will receive separate stops. The captain may choose the best option for the day’s weather and sea conditions. Bring a towel and beachwear, since you will likely move between the boat, the water, and the shore.

Agios Georgios, Iraklia’s small capital

After Schinoussa, the boat visits Agios Georgios on Iraklia for about two hours. This is a welcome change of pace. Instead of another short swim, you get time to walk around a small island village.

Agios Georgios is described as the picturesque capital of Iraklia. The visit is not built around a formal guided tour, so you should think of it as free time to stroll, take photographs, and enjoy the setting at your own speed.

I like this part of the plan because it keeps the cruise from becoming a string of beach stops. You can stretch your legs, get away from the boat for a while, and see a little of island life. Two hours gives you enough time to look around without turning the visit into a long hike.

Do not expect a packed sightseeing program. The value is in the contrast: after hours on the sea and a BBQ lunch, a quiet village walk feels relaxed. If you prefer nonstop swimming, this may seem like a long pause. If you want a fuller sense of Iraklia, it is one of the better parts of the day.

Gerolimionas, if the weather cooperates

The possible final stop is Gerolimionas in Schinoussa. This visit depends on the weather, so you should treat it as a welcome extra rather than a fixed promise.

The timing makes sense. A last swim before returning to Naxos gives you one more chance to use the masks, floating aids, and loungers, while the boat makes its way back toward Agia Anna. The stop also breaks up the return journey.

Weather is a real factor in this part of the Cyclades. Wind can change the route, the comfort of the ride, or the decision to stop at a particular beach. The crew has to balance the advertised plan with safe sailing, so a shortened or changed final stop would not necessarily mean the day has gone wrong.

The boat is scheduled back at Agia Anna around 19:00. Plan your evening with some breathing room. A sea trip can run late if conditions slow the return.

What the food, drinks, and equipment mean in practice

The meal is one of the strongest practical features of this cruise. Since the trip lasts nine hours, a substantial lunch saves you from carrying a full picnic or trying to find food during the island stops.

Water is available, and drinks during lunch include local wine and soft drinks. I would still carry extra water if you drink often in the sun, since the supplied information does not state an unlimited quantity.

The equipment list is useful for occasional swimmers. Masks, life jackets, sunbeds, loungers, and a floating sea noodle are provided, so you do not need to pack snorkeling gear just for this outing. You should still bring your own towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swimsuit, and beachwear.

The boat seems to have room for relaxing rather than forcing everyone into a tightly packed schedule. One account described having plenty of space, and another praised the crew’s kindness and help. A family outing also went well, with staff assisting after a child dropped sunglasses overboard. That points to a crew that is attentive in ordinary moments, not just during the planned stops.

Price, value, and the day’s weak spots

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in the Small Cyclades. It is a good value if you want transport between several islands, a BBQ meal, drinks, swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, and time in Agios Georgios without arranging each part yourself.

The value is less clear if you mainly want one quiet beach. You will spend a large part of the day sailing, and the trip can feel busy if you prefer to settle into one place. The route also includes several moving parts, so the schedule may not always feel perfectly organized.

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly and helpful. The captain also handled rough northern wind well during one outing. On the other hand, the journey plan was described as needing better organization, and one customer arrived at Agia Anna only to find that the boat had not sailed without advance email or phone notice.

That cancellation problem is worth taking seriously. The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, but neither option replaces a last-minute departure check. I would confirm the sailing directly before setting out, especially if you are staying far from Agia Anna or relying on a separate taxi ride.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers, families who want a full day outdoors, and anyone staying on Naxos who wants to see more of the Small Cyclades. The mix of wreck snorkeling, beach time, a cooked lunch, and a village visit gives the day more variety than a simple coastal cruise.

It is also a good fit if you like an informal boat day rather than a tightly scripted sightseeing tour. You get a plan, but weather and sea conditions can shape the exact route.

I would hesitate if you are a non-swimmer, use a wheelchair, or have a medical condition that makes a long day at sea difficult. High-heeled shoes, pets, and nudity are not allowed. The boat is intended for swimming and beachwear, so pack for sun, spray, and wet feet.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is at the taxi stand and dock at Agia Anna, Naxos. Look for NAVIGATOR on the dock.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:30, with return to Agia Anna at about 19:00. The total duration is nine hours.

What islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise includes stops around Iraklia and Schinoussa, with a village visit to Agios Georgios on Iraklia.

Can I see a World War II airplane wreck?

Yes. The boat stops near Alimia, Iraklia, above the wreck of a World War II Arado AR196 airplane. You have time to snorkel, swim, and take photographs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The onboard BBQ includes salad, potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice with vegetables, bread, souvlaki, and fresh fruit.

Are vegetarian and vegan choices available?

Yes. The meal includes several vegetable-based dishes, including salad, potatoes, pasta, rice with vegetables, and bread. The activity also states that vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Are drinks included?

Water is included. During lunch, Coca-Cola, Sprite, orange juice, and wine are provided.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. You may also want to protect cameras and phones from sea spray.

Is the cruise suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Pets, nudity, and high-heeled shoes are not allowed.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full, active day that combines swimming with something genuinely unusual: the chance to look down at a WWII aircraft wreck. The generous lunch, friendly crew, music, and time in Agios Georgios add real value to the $94 price.

Skip it if you want a quiet single-beach day, dislike boat travel, or need a tightly controlled schedule. For everyone else, I would confirm the departure the day before, arrive prepared for wind and sun, and give this Naxos to Schinoussa and Iraklia cruise serious consideration.