A WWII airplane wreck waits just offshore. On this Naxos Island Tours cruise, you get time near the ARADO AR196 plane wreck at Alimia, then you’ll head to the best swimming stretches around Schinousa and Iraklia. It’s a classic South Aegean mix of sea, snorkeling-style viewing, and island hopping in one smooth day.

What I like most is the onboard BBQ lunch: Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice with vegetables, bread, fruit, and skewers for the meat-eaters, with vegetarian/vegan options too. The one drawback to think about up front: this isn’t ideal if you’re not a confident swimmer, since the day is built around sea time and beach stops.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• WWII wreck stop at Alimia (ARADO AR196): time on the water for photos and water viewing
• Two big beach blocks: Schinousa swimming + BBQ, then another beach swim depending on weather
• Ag Georgios in Iraklia: a relaxed 2-hour stroll through the island’s capital village
• BBQ with real Greek sides: salad, potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice, bread, fruit, plus wine/soft drinks
• Boat comforts are provided: masks, life jackets, sunbeds, and sea-float style “spaghetti” helpers
• Plan for sea conditions: the sailing route follows the Naxos west coast, so you’ll feel the open-water day

From Agia Anna at 09:30: The Day Starts Simple

This is a straightforward day cruise with one main timing window: you leave at 09:30 from Agia Anna and you’re back around 19:00. You don’t spend your morning hunting a dozen meeting points either—go to the dock area and look for the boat/label NAVIGATOR.

The route is built for a “full but not frantic” schedule. After leaving, you sail along the west coast of Naxos, then you hit the most memorable stop first: the underwater wreck near Alimia (close to Iraklia).

If you’re arriving from Naxos Town or nearby, give yourself an extra buffer. One passenger described a mismatch between what they expected and where the boat started, so your best move is to confirm you’re at the correct dock for the day’s departure.

The ARADO AR196 Wreck at Alimia: Why This Stop Feels Worth It

The highlight here is the chance to spend time around a World War 2 Arado AR196 airplane wreck at Alimia (near Iraklia). This is not a vague “look from the boat” moment. You get a dedicated window for photos and time in the water, and the boat makes the stop long enough that you’re not rushed into it.

What makes this stop special for most people is the combination of scale and atmosphere. A WWII plane isn’t just a random object—it gives you a real sense of history tied to a specific spot, and it turns snorkeling-style water time into something you’ll remember long after the beach towels are gone.

What to do to get more out of it:

• Go when you feel ready to stay focused. The best viewing happens when you’re calm and keep your attention on what you’re looking at.
• Bring your phone/gear in something that’s secure and easy to handle. You’ll want photos, and water time can be busy.

If you’re sensitive to being in the water for periods of time, this is where you should be honest with yourself. The tour isn’t marketed for timid sea-goers, and it’s best if you’re comfortable getting in and out as crew guides manage the stop.

Schinousa’s Tsigouri/Livadi Beach: BBQ, Swim Time, and Good Island Energy

Next comes the big “food + beach” block at Tsigouri/Livadi beach on Schinousa, where you’ll have about 2 hours. This is where the cruise slows down and turns into a more classic vacation day.

The lunch is onboard during this stop, and it’s a proper spread, not a token sandwich. You’ll find:

• Greek traditional salad
• Oven potatoes
• Pasta
• Spetzofai
• Rice with vegetables
• Fresh bread
• Pork or chicken skewers (souvlaki)
• Fresh fruit
• Wine plus water, Coca Cola, Sprite, and orange juice

Even better, it’s not a “meat-only” situation. There are explicitly vegetarian and vegan options, which means you won’t feel stuck scanning the menu while everyone else eats.

Then there’s the practical part: you’re at a beach, so the water time actually feels easy to manage. You can switch between relaxing on provided sunbeds and going for a swim. The crew also provides masks and life jackets, so you don’t need to arrive with gear that you’ll likely never use again.

One more tip: pack for sun and salt. Even if the sky looks friendly, this part of the Aegean can be bright fast.

Iraklia’s Ag Georgios: A 2-Hour Walk Through the Capital Village

After the Schinousa beach stop, you’ll move to Iraklia for a 2-hour visit to Ag Georgios, described as the island’s picturesque capital village. This is the more land-based portion of the day, and it changes the pace in a good way.

In practical terms, this stop is ideal if you like your island time to include people, streets, and simple local life rather than just coastline views. You get time to stroll, look around, and take photos at a slower tempo than the boat schedule.

You don’t need special shoes, but do wear something stable. You’re coming from a boat and then walking around a village—rough ground and uneven steps are common in Cycladic towns, even when they look charming and tidy.

If you want a smart strategy for this section: decide early whether you want your photos first or your walking first. Once you commit to one, you’ll waste less time backtracking.

Gerolimionas (Schinousa) If Weather Allows: The Bonus Swim at the End

The last possible stop is Gerolimionas on Schinousa, but it depends on the weather. The key word here is conditional. Sometimes you get that final swim, and sometimes the captain adjusts for sea conditions to make sure everyone gets back safely at 19:00.

Why I like this setup: it gives the day a built-in flexibility. It’s better than forcing a stop no matter what the water is doing, and that flexibility often means you’ll feel like you got your money’s worth even if the final beach is shortened.

If you’re a photographer, this end-of-day block can be great because the light often feels softer. If you’re mainly a swimmer, keep your towel and energy ready—you’ll be thankful if the captain says yes.

What the Boat Actually Provides (So You Don’t Overpack)

This cruise is set up for sea time, so you’ll see a lot of practical gear offered onboard:

• Sunbeds for relaxing
• Masks
• Life jackets and life-buoy style safety equipment
• Loungers for sitting comfortably

There’s also mention of sea-pool flotation helpers shaped like spaghetti, which are the kind of fun details that make sea time easier for non-professionals. If you’re not bringing your own float tools, it’s nice to know the boat expects that not everyone arrives prepared for water fun.

Bring what the day needs from you:

• Sunglasses and sunscreen (sun + reflection off water is real)
• Sun hat
• Swimwear and a towel
• Beachwear you can change into quickly

Not allowed items and rules are straightforward: no pets, no nudity, and high-heeled shoes are out. That last one matters more than people think—boats and docks are not built for heels.

Price and Value: What $94 Really Buys You

At around $94 per person for a 9-hour outing, the value is mostly about how much is stacked into one day. You’re paying for:

• Transportation by boat
• A full onboard BBQ lunch with wine and soft drinks
• Gear support like masks and life jackets
• Two island settings (Schinousa beach time + Iraklia village time)
• A standout stop that’s unusual: the ARADO AR196 wreck at Alimia

If you tried to assemble this on your own, you’d spend more on boat logistics plus you’d likely end up with less time at each place. This cruise is efficient: the captain handles the route and timing, and you focus on the fun parts—water time, food, and walking around Ag Georgios.

Is it perfect value for everyone? Not if you hate boats or if you’re not comfortable in the water. But if you’re the type who wants a lot packed into one day without planning every step, it’s a strong deal.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This is a great match if you:

• Like island hopping with structured stops
• Enjoy swimming/snorkeling-style water time
• Want an easy Greek food lunch that’s more than a snack
• Prefer a day plan that includes both sea and village wandering

It’s not suitable if:

• You use a wheelchair (wheelchair users aren’t suitable)
• You aren’t able to swim
• You have pre-existing medical conditions that the operator flags as not suitable
• You’re looking for a purely scenic cruise with zero water time

One more reality check: the sailing can be choppy. In one account, a guest mentioned strong northern winds around 40 km/h and said they still managed fine even though they get motion sickness. So it’s not a guaranteed rough day—but open water means conditions can change.

Should You Book This Sailing Cruise With BBQ?

Book it if you want a day that mixes the standout underwater WWII wreck stop at Alimia with real beach time, plus a hearty onboard BBQ that includes vegetarian/vegan choices. It’s the kind of outing that feels like you used your day well: you get sea, food, and a genuine village stroll in one pass.

Skip it if swimming in open water isn’t your comfort zone, or if you know you’re not good with boat movement. And before you go, double-check you’re meeting at NAVIGATOR on the Agia Anna dock so your morning starts on the right foot.

If those boxes fit you, this is an easy yes: it’s the sort of Naxos-area day that lands a story you can tell later—one about an airplane wreck underwater, and then a beach lunch that actually makes the whole day feel complete.

FAQ

What time does the cruise leave and return?

It leaves at 09:30 from Agia Anna port and returns at 19:00.

Where is the meeting point?

On the dock at Agia Anna, look for NAVIGATOR.

Is the ARADO AR196 wreck stop part of the experience?

Yes. The captain stops near the WWII Arado AR196 airplane wreck at Alimia, with time for photos and water time.

What is included in the lunch onboard?

Lunch includes Greek salad, oven potatoes, pasta, spetzofai, rice with vegetables, fresh bread, pork or chicken skewers (souvlaki), fresh fruit, and drinks such as wine plus water and soft drinks. Vegetarian/vegan options are available.

Where do you swim during the day?

You swim at Schinousa (Tsigouri/Livadi beach) for about 2 hours, and there can be another swim stop at Gerolimionas on Schinousa if weather permits. There’s also a shorter swimming time linked to the schedule before lunch.

Do I need to bring swim gear?

Yes. Bring swimwear and a towel, plus sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Masks and life jackets are provided onboard.

Can I cancel my booking?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.