A wreck, a BBQ, and island swims. This Naxos sailing day stands out for the WWII Arado AR196 airplane wreck stop near Alimia and the big payoff of time on Schinoussa and Iraklia’s sandy beaches. The main drawback to consider is that sea conditions can affect how smooth the trip feels, and the day can run a bit more weather-dependent than the schedule makes it sound.

You’re looking at a classic Cyclades mix: saltwater time, short village wandering, and a proper lunch break that actually fits the day. I like that the trip is built for doing, not just watching, with snorkel gear and swim time built into multiple stops. Just be aware it is not a casual walk-on-and-off tour, it expects real swimming comfort.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• WWII wreck stop at Alimia (Arado AR196) with time for photos and snorkeling gear
• Beach hopping on Iraklia and Schinoussa, with multiple swims and a long beach lunch block
• Karvounolakos and Fidou beaches for different vibes, from small-bay charm to open-sand sunbathing
• BBQ lunch break (2 hours) with souvlaki, salads, fruit, and options for vegetarians and vegans
• Agios Georgios village time on Iraklia so you can cool down, stroll, and grab a café stop

Sailing From Agia Anna, Looking For Mikros Kosmos II

Your day starts at Agia Anna port (the listing points to the taxi square area, Πιάτσα ταξί Αγίας Άννας). You’ll meet by the dock and look for Mikros Kosmos II, the boat used for this cruise. The departure time is 10:00, and you’re back at Agia Anna around 19:30, so plan on a full day in the sun and salt air.

This is the kind of trip where your best tool is preparation. Bring your swimwear and towel, and sort your sunscreen early, because once you’re out there, you’ll want to be able to head straight into the water at the next stop. If you’re sensitive to sun, a hat matters. Sunglasses help, too, since the boat ride and the glare on the water can be intense.

One more practical point: before you go, you’ll need to share your full name and birthday, plus your accommodation details so the team can direct you to the nearest pick-up point if they use one. That step is small, but it prevents the morning scramble.

The Alimia WWII Wreck Stop, Why This Trip Has A Story

The most talked-about moment is the stop near Alimia, Iraklia, at the site of a World War 2 Arado AR196 airplane wreck. The boat sails from Naxos along the west coast, then around two hours in, the captain pauses at the wreck location before you head farther into the island sequence.

Here’s what makes this stop special in real terms. You get time to take photos and then try the wreck swim with provided equipment. You also get life jackets and snorkel gear, which lowers the barrier for doing this confidently. If your idea of a perfect day is mixing scenery with something you can actually explore in the water, this is the anchor moment of the tour.

A note for your expectations: this is not a guided museum-style explanation, it’s an ocean stop. What matters most is that you’ll have a short window to enjoy the site at water level, under actual sea conditions. If you like photographing textures and angles, this stop is built for it.

Schinoussa Swim Time, Then More Water (Yes, It’s A Swimming Trip)

After the wreck stop, the itinerary shifts into beach time. One of the ways the schedule is structured is that you’ll get water opportunities across multiple stops, not just one big “go swim here” moment. The plan includes swimming time around the Iraklia area early, and then additional beach swims as the day continues.

This is where the cruise earns its keep for people who want a true swim day rather than a sightseeing day with one quick dip. You’re getting repeated time in the water, plus gear that supports it (snorkel equipment, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles). So you’re not stuck relying on your own kit or figuring it out on the fly.

The beaches are also described with a clear purpose: they’re sandy, open for swimming, and different enough that you’re not doing the same thing repeatedly. That variety is the big quality-of-life factor. It’s not just “beach, beach, beach,” it’s more like beach personalities: some are more shaded, some are more exposed, some are in a small bay setting.

Karvounolakos Beach: Small-Bay Charm And A Sea Urchin Warning

Next up is Karvounolakos, a beach stop on Iraklia known for its setting in a small bay. The water is described as green-blue, and you may even see goats in the area. That’s part of what makes the Cyclades feel grounded, not staged. Nature is literally right there next to your towel.

But you do need to respect the seabed. The route description includes a clear heads-up: watch out for sea urchins. That doesn’t mean you should panic, it means you should swim carefully and be mindful when stepping in. If you’re the kind of person who always packs reef shoes, this is one of the days you’ll appreciate them. Even if you don’t, go slow in shallow spots.

Time here is shorter than the big lunch beach, so it’s a “get in, enjoy, and move” stop. You’re likely to enjoy it most if you like that quick beach hit energy: swim, take a few photos, reset your towel, then get back into the day.

Fidou Beach BBQ Lunch: The Main Hangout Slot

This cruise saves its longest and most food-focused stop for Fidou Beach. The description calls it a sandy beach with no trees for shade, and it’s paired with inviting water. Think of this as the “proper break” part of the day, both because you’re meant to relax and because lunch is built into the time here.

You’ll stop for about 2 hours, with the BBQ lunch served during this block. The included meal features pork or chicken skewers (souvlaki), plus salads and sides. You also get fresh fruit. On the drink side, the package includes water and soft drinks with the lunch.

One smart detail: there are options for vegetarians and vegans, so you’re not stuck hoping the side salad counts as a meal. That matters on a sailing day, because hunger hits fast once you’ve been in and out of the water all morning.

Also, this beach is shade-light. That means your sunscreen and shade strategy matter. If you want to avoid cooking on deck, bring or use anything you have for sun protection, then position yourself thoughtfully. Sunbeds are included, which helps, but you still should plan where you’ll spend your time during the hottest part of the afternoon.

If you want extra drinks beyond what’s included, those are available for purchase.

Agios Georgios on Iraklia: Beach Time Plus A Real Village

After the Fidou break, you finish at Agios Georgios, on Iraklia. This is the most easily accessible and popular beach on the island, and the description explains why: yellow sand, turquoise waters, and plenty of shade from trees and rows of benches.

The boat typically provides about 2 hours here, which is long enough to do more than just swim. You can also stroll in the village and relax at local cafés. This is the most “human scale” portion of the day, where you’re not just moving from one water stop to the next. It’s a nice rhythm change after the busier beach-hopping sequence.

If you’re doing a Cyclades trip and you’ve been living in blue-water fantasy mode, this village stop is how the day stays grounded. You get a chance to slow down, look around, and rehydrate in a more relaxed way.

What’s Included (and Why That Matters For Value)

At $79 per person, the trip is priced like a mid-range sailing excursion, and the value mostly comes from what’s bundled. This is not just “boat ride plus one snack.”

Included highlights you’ll actually use:

• BBQ lunch with souvlaki, salads and sides, plus fresh fruit
• Drinks, water, and soft drinks with the meal
• Sunbeds, which help you avoid the “where do I put my stuff” problem
• Snorkel equipment, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles
• A structured day with multiple swims, not a single stop

If you’re thinking about piecing together lunch and boat time separately in the islands, you’ll quickly see why bundling helps. The lunch alone is a big chunk of the cost on many day trips, and the provided swim gear reduces extra packing.

The only notable gap is that additional drinks cost extra. So if you tend to order a lot once you’re on vacation, set a budget before you start.

Price and Logistics: A Smooth Day Depends on Your Seasickness Strategy

This is a 9-hour outing, starting 10:00 and ending about 19:30. That time window is long enough to feel like a real day trip, but short enough that you still have dinner plans later in Naxos.

The schedule includes multiple stops, and that’s part of the appeal. But it also means the day can feel a bit fast-paced once you’re on board. You’ll want to treat it like a swim day with breaks, not a laid-back cruise where you can linger forever at one beach.

Also, the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, and it’s not suitable for wheelchair users. It’s also listed as not suitable for people with pre-existing medical conditions. If any of these apply to you, it’s worth choosing a different kind of tour designed for your comfort level.

If you’re someone who gets motion discomfort, bring the mindset that the Aegean can get choppy. The trip description doesn’t promise calm seas, so you should assume the boat ride can have movement.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

I think this cruise fits best if you check these boxes:

• You want multiple swimming stops, not just one quick dip
• You’re interested in a specific experience, the WWII plane wreck stop
• You like beaches but also want a little village time at the end
• You’re happy spending most of the day outdoors in sun and water

On the other hand, you might skip this one if:

• You don’t swim comfortably, since the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers
• You need wheelchair-accessible routes, because it’s not designed for that
• You want a quiet, minimal-activity day
• You’re planning this as your one and only island outing, because the sea conditions can influence the feel of the day

If you’re traveling with family, this is more likely to work for older kids who can handle swimming time. The listing emphasizes swimming suitability, so age alone is not enough to judge, comfort in water is.

How To Prep For A Day of Sun, Salt, and Sand

This kind of cruise is simple, but it runs on small essentials. Here’s what you should bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear

And follow the onboard rules:

• No pets
• Avoid high-heeled shoes
• No nudity

You’ll have a better time if you also think ahead about comfort. After all, you’re spending real time in the water and then relaxing on a sunbed at the beach. If you forget something, it can be harder to replace once you’re out sailing.

Should You Book This Naxos to Iraklia and Schinoussa Sailing Cruise?

If you want one trip from Naxos that feels like a real Cyclades day, with an iconic wreck stop and sandy beach time, I’d book it. The value holds up because you’re getting food and drink plus serious swimming support, and the day is paced across different beach settings rather than repeating the same scene.

I would think twice if you’re not confident in the water, because this tour is built around swimming and it’s not suitable for non-swimmers. I’d also be cautious if you know you react strongly to boat movement, since long days on open water can get bouncy.

My practical advice: this is a strong choice when you want action, variety, and a memorable story from the middle of the sea. The WWII wreck stop at Alimia is the headline, but the real win is that the rest of the day keeps delivering beach time, lunch, and village atmosphere.

FAQ

What is the duration of the sailing cruise?

The cruise lasts about 9 hours.

Where does the tour start from?

It starts at Agia Anna port. The meeting point is on the dock where you look for Mikros Kosmos II, near the taxi square area at Πιάτσα ταξί Αγίας Άννας.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

It departs at 10:00 and returns to Agia Anna port at about 19:30.

What beaches or areas does the itinerary include?

You’ll have stops connected to Alimia (wreck stop), Karvounolakos, Fidou Beach, and Agios Georgios on Iraklia.

What is included in the BBQ lunch?

The lunch includes BBQ pork or chicken skewers (souvlaki), salads and sides, fresh fruit, and drinks. Water and soft drinks are included with lunch.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. The lunch includes options for vegetarians and vegans.

What snorkeling and safety gear is provided?

You get snorkel equipment, life jackets, and sea-pool noodles, plus sunbeds at stops.

Are additional drinks included?

Additional drinks are not included, but they are available to purchase.

What should I bring with me?

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

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers or wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for non-swimmers and it is not suitable for wheelchair users.