From Naxos: Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

The most unusual part of this cruise is the stop above a World War II Arado AR196 airplane wreck near Alimia, off Iraklia. You can snorkel above the aircraft, take photos, and see something far more memorable than a standard beach stop. I also like the two-hour lunch and swim break at Schinoussa, where the BBQ includes souvlaki, Greek salad, potatoes, pasta, rice, fruit, bread, and several vegetarian-friendly dishes.

I especially like the generous food and drink service, plus the chance to visit Agios Georgios, a small village rather than just another strip of sand. The main drawback is the long day at sea. Strong wind can make the crossing rough, and one cancellation was not communicated properly, so confirm the trip is running before making a special journey to Agia Anna.

Key points to know before you book

• The WWII airplane wreck is the day’s most distinctive stop: You get time to swim and look down at the submerged Arado AR196 near Alimia.
• The BBQ is substantial: Expect souvlaki, salad, oven potatoes, pasta, vegetable rice, spetzofai, bread, fruit, soft drinks, water, and local wine with lunch.
• Schinoussa gets about two hours: This is your main meal and swimming stop, with Tsigouri or Livadi named as the likely beach area.
• Agios Georgios adds village time: You have roughly two hours to walk around the picturesque capital of Iraklia.
• The schedule runs from 9:30 to 19:00: You sail from Agia Anna, not Naxos Town, so allow time to reach the port.
• Wind and swimming ability matter: The cruise is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Why the airplane wreck makes this cruise different

Many island boat trips offer the same basic recipe: swim, eat, swim again, and return to port. This one has a sharper point of interest. Near Alimia, the boat stops above an Arado AR196 aircraft from World War II, giving you the chance to look down at a piece of military history resting underwater.

You are not visiting a museum or walking around a preserved aircraft. The appeal is the setting. You see the wreck from the sea, with the boat serving as your platform and the clear water providing the view. Bring a waterproof phone case if you have one. The supplied masks help, but anyone serious about seeing details may prefer to bring personal snorkeling equipment.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes according to the published schedule. That is enough time for a look and a swim, but not an extended snorkeling session. If the sea is choppy, visibility can change quickly. The captain may also need to adjust the stop for safety and weather.

This is the part of the cruise I would value most. Beaches are easy to find around Naxos. A World War II aircraft below the surface is not.

Leaving Agia Anna and settling into the boat

The meeting point is the taxi stand on the dock at Agia Anna. Look for the boat marked NAVIGATOR. Departure is scheduled for 9:30, with a return around 19:00, so this is a full nine-hour outing rather than a short morning trip.

The cruise follows the western coast of Naxos before heading toward the smaller islands. The first major stop comes after roughly two hours of sailing. That means the opening part of the day is not packed with activities. You will spend time seated or standing on the boat, watching the coast and getting used to the motion.

That matters if you are prone to seasickness. One person who usually feels motion sick managed well even with strong northerly wind, but another account described rough water and a demanding crossing. Those two details belong together: the boat can handle brisk conditions, but you should not assume the sea will be calm.

Take motion-sickness precautions if you need them, and sit where you feel most comfortable. The boat provides sunbeds and loungers, but you should still bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water-friendly clothing. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes so you are ready when the first swimming stop arrives.

Alimia and the Arado AR196 wreck

The stop at Alimia is the cruise’s signature moment. The captain positions the boat above the aircraft wreck, and you get time to enter the water, use a mask, and look below. You can also stay on board and take photos if you do not want to swim.

The attraction is best for confident swimmers who enjoy snorkeling. The trip is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers, and there is no reason to treat this stop casually. Use the life jackets and other floating equipment if needed. The boat carries masks, life jackets, a lifebuoy, and sea-pool noodles, so you do not need to bring every piece of equipment yourself.

Visibility will depend on the day. Clear conditions should give you the best chance of seeing the aircraft, while wind and waves can make the surface less comfortable. Do not expect a long guided explanation of the wreck. The information provided focuses on seeing it, swimming above it, and taking photographs.

For me, the value here is the contrast. You begin with a long open-water crossing, then stop at a quiet place where an aircraft from another era lies under the sea. Even a short look can become the memory you keep from the whole day.

Schinoussa gives you the longest beach break

After Alimia, the boat heads toward Schinoussa. The planned beach area is Tsigouri or Livadi, with the exact choice affected by conditions. You get about two hours here for lunch and swimming.

This is the most useful stop for people who want a proper break rather than a quick splash. Two hours gives you time to eat at an unhurried pace, get into the water, sit on a lounger, and take in the shore. The schedule does not leave you racing from one activity to the next.

The swimming areas around Schinoussa are praised for clear water and fish, making this a good place to use the provided mask. You might want to bring your own snorkel if you care about fit, but the boat’s masks cover the basic need.

The food is a real part of the outing, not a token snack. Lunch includes:

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

The selection is unusually broad for a boat BBQ. Vegetarians and vegans have several choices, especially the salad, pasta, potatoes, vegetable rice, bread, and fruit. If you follow a stricter diet, ask the crew what is suitable before serving yourself, since the exact preparation of each dish is not specified.

Local wine is served with lunch, along with water and soft drinks. Keep your own drinking pace sensible, since you still have swimming and more time at sea ahead. The meal is served during the Schinoussa stop, so you can combine lunch with a proper rest instead of eating while the boat moves.

Agios Georgios offers a change of pace

The next stop is Agios Georgios on Iraklia, described as the island’s picturesque capital village. You get about two hours for a walk around town.

This stop helps the cruise feel less like a floating beach shuttle. After swimming and eating, you can stretch your legs and see a small island settlement at street level. The village visit is also useful for anyone who wants a taste of Iraklia beyond its coastline.

Do not expect a long organized tour. The schedule calls this a break and a stroll, so you will have free time rather than a formal sightseeing program. That is a plus if you enjoy wandering at your own pace. It may feel brief if you want a full exploration of the island, but two hours is enough to break up the day.

You should keep an eye on the departure time. Boat trips cannot wait indefinitely for a slow coffee or a long walk. The village stop is most enjoyable when you treat it as a relaxed pause, not an attempt to see all of Iraklia.

The possible final swim at Gerolimionas

If weather allows, the final stop is Gerolimionas on Schinoussa. This gives you one more chance to swim before the return to Agia Anna.

The words weather permitting matter here. The crew may skip this stop if wind, sea conditions, or timing make it unwise. That is not a flaw in the plan. It is a reminder that a day on the water must adjust to the sea.

A final swim can be a pleasant way to end the outing, especially after the village walk. It also gives you a chance to use the floating equipment again and cool off before the ride back. If the stop is canceled, you should still have had the wreck, the Schinoussa beach break, and Agios Georgios.

The return is scheduled for 19:00 at Agia Anna. Build a little flexibility into your evening plans. A cruise affected by wind may not run to the exact minute.

How good is the $94 price?

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Naxos. It is a full-day boat outing with several island stops, so the fair comparison is not a short transfer or a simple harbor cruise.

The price covers the cruise, a full BBQ meal, drinks during lunch, water, beach equipment, and the chance to reach places that would require separate boat arrangements. You also get the wreck stop and two hours in Agios Georgios, not just a few hours at one beach.

The food matters to the value. Buying a comparable lunch, drinks, and beach access separately would add to your day’s cost, while the boat supplies the basics. The included masks, loungers, life jackets, and floating noodles also mean you can pack lighter.

I would call the price fair for someone who wants a complete day on the water. It is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day, dislike boat motion, or would rather spend the day exploring Naxos by land. The value depends on using the whole package: wreck, swimming, meal, village, and return cruise.

Crew, comfort, and the rough-water question

The crew has drawn strong praise for being friendly and helpful. The captain also received credit for handling rough northern wind, and one crew member jumped into the water to retrieve a child’s sunglasses. Those details point to a crew that pays attention and takes its job seriously.

The boat has sunbeds and loungers, which helps during the long day. Greek music may play during the cruise, adding a holiday feel without requiring a formal entertainment program. Space appears to be comfortable on the day described, but the exact group size and boat capacity are not provided, so I would not promise a small-group atmosphere.

The main comfort issue is the sea. A 9-hour cruise can feel long if you are uncomfortable on moving water. The route includes an open crossing to smaller islands, and strong wind is possible. Bring the essentials listed for the trip, especially sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and beach clothing.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not suitable for non-swimmers or people with pre-existing medical conditions. If you are unsure about your fitness for a day at sea, ask the operator before booking rather than hoping the conditions will be easy.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several kinds of scenery in one day. You get the Naxos coast, an underwater aircraft, small-island beaches, a Greek meal, and a village walk. Families can also find plenty to do, since the children’s swimming time and island stop break up the day.

It suits confident swimmers, snorkelers, couples, and families who are happy to spend most of the day outdoors. The food selection makes it easier for mixed groups, since not everyone has to eat the same meat dish.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, private boat ride. I would also hesitate if you dislike fixed schedules. The boat needs to leave each stop on time, and the day includes several planned movements.

The cruise is a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility, serious medical concerns, or no swimming ability. It also may not suit people who want detailed archaeological or military information about the aircraft. The wreck is a visual and snorkeling stop, not a museum tour.

Practical advice before departure

Book only after checking that you can reach Agia Anna for the 9:30 departure. The meeting point is by the taxi stand on the dock, and you should look for NAVIGATOR.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and beachwear. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, and pets and nudity are not permitted. You must provide your full name and birthday date when booking.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Still, I would confirm the trip the day before, especially if you are traveling from another part of Naxos. One person made the trip to Agia Anna and found that the boat had not departed, with no advance phone call or email. That is the clearest practical warning attached to this outing.

Weather can change the route. Gerolimionas is only planned if conditions permit, and the exact beach at Schinoussa may vary. Think of the listed stops as the day’s plan, not an ironclad promise.

Should you book the Schinoussa and Iraklia cruise?

Book it if the airplane wreck is the hook that catches your attention. Add the generous BBQ, clear-water swimming, Agios Georgios, and the full day on the sea, and $94 becomes a reasonable price for a packed island outing.

Skip it if you need a smooth, tightly timed day or if open water makes you uneasy. Confirm departure before setting out, prepare for wind, and choose this cruise for its mix of stops rather than one perfect beach.

For a capable swimmer who wants more than another day on Naxos, this is one of the better ways to see Schinoussa and Iraklia in a single day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is at the taxi stand on the dock at Agia Anna. Look for the boat marked NAVIGATOR.

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 approximately nine hours.

What is the most unusual stop?

The boat stops near Alimia, Iraklia, above the wreck of a World War II Arado AR196 airplane. You have about 30 minutes to swim, use a mask, and take photos.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The onboard BBQ includes pork or chicken souvlaki, Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, vegetable rice, fresh bread, and fresh fruit.

Are drinks included?

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

What equipment does the boat provide?

The boat provides sunbeds, masks, life jackets, loungers, a lifebuoy, and sea-pool noodles.

Is the cruise suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. You should also prepare for possible wind and rough water.