Iraklia is the first stop in the Small Cyclades when you sail south-east from Naxos, and for many people it is the quietest. The island has a small harbour village, a village inland, a few beaches and a network of walking paths over bare hills; there is little traffic and not much nightlife. People come for exactly that, often for a few nights on the way to Schinoussa and Koufonisia, which lie a short hop further on.
Naxos is the natural gateway. It is the biggest island in the Cyclades, with an airport near the port and frequent ferries to Piraeus, Paros, Mykonos and Santorini, so most travellers arrive on Naxos from elsewhere and then take the local boat out to Iraklia. The ferry that does this every summer is the Express Skopelitis of Small Cyclades Lines, a sturdy little conventional ship that Ferryhopper describes as calling at Iraklia and Schinoussa on its way to Koufonisia.
On our 12 August 2026 timetable sample, the Express Skopelitis was the only sailing listed from Naxos to Iraklia: departure 14:30, arrival 16:00, fares from €7. That is cheap and simple, but it is one boat on one date. Our older route data also names Blue Star Ferries and Seajets on this link, and Blue Star's big ships do serve the Small Cyclades, but we found no dated sailing to confirm either company on this exact crossing, so we do not give their times or prices.
In practice, plan your trip around the local boat. Check its day and time for your dates in the booking box before you book a room on Iraklia, and if you are flying into Naxos, leave enough margin to make the afternoon sailing.
