From Naxos: Schinoussa and Iraklia Sailing Cruise with BBQ

A sunlit boat day with a wartime surprise. I like the chance to snorkel above a World War II Arado AR196 airplane wreck, and I like the generous Greek BBQ with vegetarian and vegan choices. The main catch is the long day at sea, with strong wind or rough water possible.

You leave Agia Anna at 9:30 a.m. and return around 7 p.m., giving you a full taste of two small Cycladic islands. The plan is appealing, but the schedule can feel busy, and one September departure was reportedly canceled without advance notice, so I would confirm the trip before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• A rare underwater stop: The airplane wreck at Alimia, Iraklia, is the unusual star of the cruise, with time to snorkel and take photos from the water.
• Two hours at Schinoussa: Swim at Tsigouri or Livadi, then eat a filling BBQ lunch with souvlaki, salads, potatoes, pasta, rice, fruit, and drinks.
• A proper village break: Agios Georgios on Iraklia gives you two hours to walk beyond the boat and see the island’s picturesque capital.
• Good onboard value: At $94 per person, the price covers the cruise, food, wine, soft drinks, water, and use of sunbeds and swimming gear.
• Best for confident swimmers: The day centers on swimming and snorkeling, and the experience is not suitable for non-swimmers or wheelchair users.
• Weather matters: Strong northern winds have been reported, though one passenger with mild seasickness found the boat manageable.

Leaving Agia Anna for the Small Cyclades

The meeting point is the taxi stand at Agia Anna, where you should look for the boat marked NAVIGATOR. Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., so arrive with your swim gear already handy. The cruise follows Naxos’s west coast before crossing toward Iraklia and Schinoussa.

This is not a quick harbor outing. The full program lasts about nine hours, with a return to Agia Anna around 7 p.m. That gives you enough time for several very different stops, but it also means you should treat the day as your main activity rather than something to squeeze between other plans.

The boat is equipped with sunbeds, loungers, masks, life jackets, lifebuoys, and sea-pool noodles. Those extras matter because the day is built around time in the water. You will want sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and comfortable beach clothes.

The boat may carry music and the mood can be relaxed, with Greek music noted during one September trip. Still, conditions at sea can change the feel of the ride. Strong northern winds, reaching close to 40 kilometers per hour on one day, made the crossing rougher, though the boat handled it well for one passenger who sometimes suffers from seasickness.

The Arado AR196 wreck at Alimia

The first major stop comes before reaching the main beach visit. The captain pauses near Alimia, off Iraklia, above the wreck of a World War II Arado AR196 airplane.

This is what gives the cruise a point of difference. Many island boat trips offer swimming and lunch. Far fewer include a chance to look down at an aircraft from the war while floating in the Aegean. You can take photos and snorkel over the wreck during the stop, with about 30 minutes listed for swimming in the Iraklia portion of the route.

The stop is brief, so keep your mask ready and listen for instructions from the crew. You should not expect a long archaeological visit or a guided history talk. The value is in the setting: clear water, an unusual underwater object, and the knowledge that this is not just another generic swim stop.

Water visibility and weather will affect how much you see. The listing does not promise a close underwater view in every condition, so I would regard the wreck as a special possibility rather than the whole reason to book. Still, for anyone who enjoys snorkeling, it may be the most memorable part of the day.

Use a life jacket if you are not fully comfortable in open water. The experience is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers, and the boat-based nature of the stop means you need to be able to enter and exit the sea safely.

Schinoussa’s Tsigouri or Livadi beach

After the wreck stop, the boat heads to Schinoussa for the longest single break. The planned visit lasts two hours at Tsigouri or Livadi beach, depending on the day’s conditions and route.

This is your main chance to swim, relax, and eat without rushing. You may find the beach stop especially easy to enjoy because the lunch and drinks are handled onboard, leaving you free to split your time between the water and the meal rather than hunt for a restaurant.

The exact beach matters. Tsigouri and Livadi offer different settings, but the practical experience is the same: a relaxed island swimming stop with enough time to settle in. Bring your towel and sunscreen, and remember that the sun can feel strong even when the sea breeze makes the air seem mild.

If you are traveling with children, this two-hour pause breaks up the sailing nicely. A family review praised the kind, helpful staff and described the island stop as a welcome change of pace for children. The crew even helped retrieve a pair of sunglasses lost overboard, which gives you a useful picture of the helpful onboard attitude, though you should still secure loose belongings.

What the Greek BBQ includes

Lunch is one of the stronger parts of the value here. The onboard BBQ includes pork or chicken souvlaki, Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice with vegetables, fresh bread, and fresh fruit.

That is a substantial spread rather than a token snack. The menu also includes several meat-free dishes, including salad, pasta, rice with vegetables, potatoes, and bread. Vegetarian and vegan guests have more choices than they often get on a casual boat cruise, though anyone with strict dietary needs should confirm ingredients before booking.

Drinks served during lunch include water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, orange juice, and local wine. The combination makes the $94 price easier to judge. You are paying not only for transport between islands, but also for a full meal, drinks, swimming equipment, and nearly a full day on the water.

One passenger described the food and drinks as abundant, and that matches the menu. Do not expect a formal restaurant meal or a quiet dining room. This is a practical, sociable BBQ served during a beach stop, with the sea and the boat forming the backdrop.

The lunch timing is also useful. After swimming, you can eat without giving up another island visit. If you prefer a light meal, you can choose fruit, salad, bread, rice, or vegetables rather than filling up on souvlaki.

Two hours in Agios Georgios, Iraklia

The next major stop is Agios Georgios, the picturesque capital village of Iraklia. You get about two hours here for a walk and a break away from the boat.

This is an important change of rhythm. The cruise is mostly sea, swimming, and food, while Agios Georgios lets you see a little of island life on land. Take a stroll, look around the village, and enjoy the slower pace before returning to the boat.

The supplied plan calls this a village visit rather than a formal guided tour. That means you should expect free time, not a scheduled cultural lecture or a list of monuments with a guide. I like that arrangement for this kind of small-island stop. You can wander at your own speed and avoid turning a quiet village into a rushed photo assignment.

Two hours is enough to get your bearings and enjoy a walk, but it is not enough for a full exploration of Iraklia. Keep an eye on the meeting time. The boat cannot wait for a leisurely second cup of coffee if the group is due back onboard.

The final swim at Gerolimionas

If weather allows, the last stop is Gerolimionas on Schinoussa. This final swim comes late in the day, as the boat begins working its way back toward Naxos.

The conditional wording is worth noting. Gerolimionas depends on weather and sailing conditions, so it should be treated as a bonus rather than a guaranteed stop. If the sea is calm, it can be a pleasant last chance to get in the water before the return trip.

One passenger called the final swim spectacular, while another praised the captain for managing rough water. Those comments point to the basic truth of this cruise: the sea controls the schedule. The crew may adjust the route or omit a stop when conditions require it.

You will return to Agia Anna at approximately 7 p.m. Plan a relaxed evening afterward. After nine hours of sun, swimming, food, and boat time, you may not want to race across Naxos for dinner or another activity.

Is $94 a fair price?

At $94 per person, I consider this a solid package if you plan to use the whole day. The price includes the boat ride, the BBQ, local wine, soft drinks, water, fruit, and access to masks, life jackets, loungers, sunbeds, and floating aids.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. You get an unusual wreck stop, at least one substantial beach break, a village visit, and possibly a second swim. Booking separate transport, meals, and boat outings to recreate the same day would likely be less convenient.

The value is weaker if you dislike long boat rides or do not swim. A non-swimmer may spend much of the day watching other people enjoy the main activities. The same applies if your idea of a good island day is a quiet beach with no fixed timetable.

The itinerary also depends on weather. Rough water can make the crossing uncomfortable, and the route may change. If seasickness is a concern, sit where the motion feels easiest, keep your eyes on the horizon, and bring whatever personal remedy you normally use. The supplied information does not specify seating or boat size, so I would not assume a calm ride.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers, families wanting a full activity day, couples who enjoy a mix of sea and village time, and anyone curious about lesser-visited Cycladic islands.

It is particularly good for snorkeling fans. The aircraft wreck gives the cruise a clear identity, and the beach stops offer more than a standard sightseeing sail. The generous lunch also helps families and hungry swimmers avoid extra food costs during the day.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, significant medical conditions, or difficulty managing open-water boat trips. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, or people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The published rating is 4.4 from 74 ratings, which fits the overall picture: strong enjoyment for most people, with some concerns about organization and communication. One passenger found the crew excellent but thought the journey plan could be better organized. Another reported that a departure was canceled without an email or phone call, after making the booking the day before. Because of that, I would confirm the sailing shortly before departure and keep your booking messages available.

Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. You must provide each passenger’s full name and birth date.

My booking advice

Book this cruise if you want a full, active day with plenty of swimming, a generous Greek BBQ, and an unusual wartime wreck stop. The combination of Alimia, Schinoussa, and Agios Georgios gives you more variety than a simple beach cruise.

Skip it if you want a slow, private sailing experience, dislike fixed schedules, or are uncomfortable in rough water. For the right passenger, $94 is reasonable value, but you should confirm the departure and accept that weather may change the final route.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from the taxi stand at Agia Anna, Naxos. On the dock, look for NAVIGATOR.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., with arrival back at Agia Anna around 7 p.m. The total duration is about nine hours.

What food and drinks are included?

The BBQ includes Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice with vegetables, fresh bread, pork or chicken souvlaki, and fresh fruit. Water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, orange juice, and wine are included during lunch.

Can I snorkel above the World War II airplane wreck?

Yes. The boat stops near the Arado AR196 wreck at Alimia, Iraklia, with time for photos and snorkeling. Masks and life jackets are available.

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.