From Naxos: Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

The most unusual moment on this cruise comes before lunch: you stop above a World War II Arado AR196 airplane wreck near Alimia, Iraklia. With a mask and a little confidence in the water, you can look down at a piece of wartime history resting beneath the sea, then spend the day moving between quiet island beaches and a small Greek village.

I like the combination of real sightseeing and relaxed swimming, rather than nine straight hours on a boat. I also like that lunch is more than a token sandwich, with souvlaki, Greek salad, potatoes, pasta, rice with vegetables, spetzofai, bread, fruit, soft drinks, water, and local wine. The main caution is the weather: strong northern winds can make the crossing rough, and one booking was affected by a departure problem that was not communicated in advance.

Key points to know before booking

• The airplane wreck is the signature stop: You have time for photographs and snorkeling above the submerged Arado AR196.
• Two hours at Schinoussa: The stop combines swimming at Tsigouri or Livadi with a full barbecue lunch.
• Agios Georgios adds a land break: You get about two hours to stroll through Iraklia’s small capital village.
• The day runs from 9:30 to 19:00: Meet at the Agia Anna taxi stand and look for NAVIGATOR on the dock.
• The food suits mixed groups: Meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans have several choices, with drinks included during lunch.
• The price is strong for a full-day outing: At $94, the fare covers the cruise, food, equipment, beach furniture, and drinks, though conditions at sea can affect comfort.

Why the Arado AR196 wreck makes this cruise different

Most island boat trips promise pretty water and a swim. This one gives you a clear reason to leave Naxos for the day: a submerged World War II aircraft near Alimia, off Iraklia.

The wreck is an Arado AR196, a German floatplane used during the war. The experience here is not a museum visit or a formal history tour. You look down from the boat, put on a mask, and see what remains below the surface. That makes the stop appealing to anyone who enjoys snorkeling, underwater sights, or unusual pieces of local history.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The information provided does not give the wreck’s exact depth, condition, or visibility, and these details can change with wind and water clarity. The boat stops for around 30 minutes at Iraklia, so this is a short viewing and swimming break, not a long archaeological excursion.

Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photographs. The crew provides masks, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles, but you will want your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat.

Leaving Agia Anna at 9:30

The meeting point is the taxi stand at Agia Anna, on the dock. Look for the NAVIGATOR sign or boat. The published departure is 9:30, with a return to Agia Anna at about 19:00, giving you roughly nine hours on the water and at the islands.

That early start matters. You have a long route ahead, and the first part follows the west coast of Naxos before the boat reaches Iraklia. The ride takes about two hours before the wreck stop, so eat something beforehand if you usually get hungry on boats.

The boat trip itself is part of the day, not just transport between beaches. You will be outside for much of the time, with loungers and sunbeds available. A strong wind can change the feel of the crossing, though one person who usually gets seasick reported managing well even in northern winds of nearly 40 kilometers per hour.

I would still pack motion-sickness medication if you are prone to seasickness. The boat may handle rough water well, but no vessel can make a windy Aegean day feel completely calm.

The first swim near Alimia, Iraklia

After the west-coast sailing, the first main stop is near Alimia, on Iraklia. This is where you can see the airplane wreck, take pictures, and swim or snorkel above it.

The water stop is listed at about 30 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and a swim, but not enough for a leisurely beach session. Pay attention to the crew’s instructions, use the life jacket if needed, and remember that the boat is not designed for non-swimmers.

This stop also gives the day its strongest sense of place. You are not simply looking at another attractive cove. You are seeing an object linked to the islands’ wartime past, from the water where it now rests.

For confident swimmers, the wreck should be the day’s most memorable feature. For less confident swimmers, the equipment helps, but the tour is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers. You should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat and staying close to the designated swimming area.

Two hours at Schinoussa for beach time and lunch

The next stop is Schinoussa, with Tsigouri or Livadi named as the beach area. You have about two hours here, which is the longest single stop of the day.

This is a useful balance. You can swim, sit in the sun, and eat without feeling rushed from one activity to the next. The beach stop is also likely to feel more relaxed than the wreck stop, since there is no underwater sight to find before the boat moves on.

Lunch is served as a barbecue onboard. The spread includes pork or chicken souvlaki, Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice with vegetables, fresh bread, and fruit. Vegetarians and vegans have several choices, although you should tell the operator about dietary needs when booking if you require anything specific.

Drinks include water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, orange juice, and wine during lunch. The local wine is a nice Greek touch, but use good judgment if you plan to swim again or tend to feel the motion of the sea after eating.

The food is one of the better value points here. A beach cruise can become expensive once you add lunch, drinks, and equipment. Here, those costs are built into the $94 price, so you are paying for a full day rather than a boat ride with a meal sold separately.

Agios Georgios, Iraklia’s small capital

After Schinoussa, the boat heads to Agios Georgios on Iraklia. You get about two hours to walk around the village, making this a welcome change from swimming and sitting onboard.

Agios Georgios is described as the picturesque capital village of Iraklia. The visit is not presented as a guided history walk, so you should think of it as free time to stroll, take photographs, and enjoy the village at your own pace.

This stop helps keep the cruise from feeling like a beach shuttle. You see a little of island life on land, even if the visit is brief. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking, but do not bring high heels, which are not allowed on the activity.

Two hours is enough for a gentle walk and a pause, but it is not a full island tour. If you want to explore every corner of Iraklia, this cruise will not give you that kind of time. Its appeal is variety: wreck, beach, meal, village, and another possible swim.

The final swim at Gerolimionas

If the weather permits, the last stop is Gerolimionas on Schinoussa. This is planned as the final swim before the return to Naxos.

The words weather permitting matter. A boat schedule in the Cyclades is always tied to wind and sea conditions, and the final stop may be changed or skipped. You should see this as a bonus rather than a promise equal to the fixed departure and return times.

A last swim late in the day can be a pleasant finish, especially after the village walk. You will want your swimsuit and towel easy to reach, not buried under dry clothes and beach gear.

The boat then returns to Agia Anna at approximately 19:00. The long day makes this best for people who want to use one outing to see several places instead of arranging separate beach visits and island transfers.

What the $94 price really covers

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Naxos. You are paying for a nine-hour cruise, several stops, onboard food, drinks, swimming equipment, loungers, sunbeds, masks, life jackets, and the boat journey to two smaller Cycladic islands.

The included meal gives the price much of its strength. You get a substantial selection rather than one fixed plate, and the menu includes meat, vegetables, starches, salad, bread, fruit, and drinks. If you would otherwise pay for lunch, wine, soft drinks, and beach equipment, the package becomes easier to justify.

The value also depends on the sea conditions. On a calm day, you can enjoy the open-water ride and several swimming stops. In rough weather, the same nine-hour schedule may feel long, even though the crew can still provide a memorable outing.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 74 ratings, which fits the experience as described: plenty of strong points, but some room for better organization. The crew earned particular praise for being friendly and helpful, and the food and island stops were repeatedly appreciated. One family found the day very enjoyable for children, including a kind crew member who jumped in after a child dropped sunglasses overboard.

Food, crew, and the feel onboard

The crew plays a big part in a day this long. You are not only buying access to Schinoussa and Iraklia. You are spending hours with the captain and staff, eating onboard, swimming from the boat, and handling the changes that come with wind and sea.

The strongest reports describe a friendly crew, Greek music, plenty of room, and helpful service. One account singled out the captain’s handling of rough water, while another praised the staff’s kindness with children. Those details matter because small acts of care can make a boat day much easier, especially for families.

The only clear organizational concern is that the journey plan could be better arranged. That may mean the timing between stops is not always perfectly smooth. You should allow some flexibility and avoid scheduling an important evening ferry, dinner reservation, or flight immediately after the listed 19:00 return.

There was also a serious communication problem in one case, when the boat did not depart and the booking holder said no email or phone warning arrived. This appears to be an isolated but important operational risk. Confirm the departure point and status before setting out, especially if you are staying far from Agia Anna or booking close to the date.

Who should book this day at sea

I would choose this cruise if you want more than a standard Naxos beach day. It suits confident swimmers, families who enjoy boat outings, snorkelers, and anyone curious about the airplane wreck.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can focus on the wreck, another can enjoy lunch and beach time, and everyone gets a walk through Agios Georgios. The included masks, life jackets, loungers, and noodles make packing simpler.

Children can enjoy the swimming, open boat setting, beach stop, village break, and food choices. Parents should still judge the day against their children’s comfort with nine hours away from land. The boat schedule is long, and strong wind can make the ride tiring.

I would skip it if you are a non-swimmer, have a medical condition that makes a full day at sea unsuitable, or need wheelchair access. High heels, pets, and nudity are not permitted, and you should bring beachwear rather than expecting a formal boat setting.

You must provide full names and birth dates when booking. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility if your plans are still moving.

Should you book the Schinoussa and Iraklia cruise?

Book it if the airplane wreck and several swimming stops appeal to you more than a quiet day on one Naxos beach. The barbecue, drinks, equipment, village visit, and two-island route make $94 a fair price for a full day, especially for people who want variety without arranging each part themselves.

Think twice if rough water worries you or if precise timing matters. The day is long, the sea can be windy, the final swim depends on conditions, and communication around a canceled departure should be checked carefully.

For a flexible, active day with good food and a genuinely unusual snorkeling stop, this is one of the more distinctive boat outings from Naxos. Pack lightly, bring sun protection, confirm the boat before leaving for Agia Anna, and keep the evening after the cruise free.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is the taxi stand at Agia Anna. On the dock, look for NAVIGATOR.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The boat leaves at 9:30 and is scheduled to return to Agia Anna at about 19:00.

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts approximately nine hours.

What islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Iraklia and Schinoussa, with stops near Alimia, Tsigouri or Livadi, Agios Georgios, and, if weather allows, Gerolimionas.

Can I see the World War II airplane wreck?

Yes. The boat stops near Alimia in Iraklia so you can take photographs and snorkel or swim above the wreck of an Arado AR196 airplane.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Water is included, along with Coca-Cola, Sprite, orange juice, and wine during lunch.

What should I bring?

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

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.