Ferry from Schinoussa to Iraklia.

Schinoussa and Iraklia face each other across a narrow stretch of sea in the western part of the Small Cyclades, the low, quiet islands south-east of Naxos. Travellers who base themselves on one often visit the other: Schinoussa for its sandy coves and relaxed village on the hill, Iraklia for its rugged walking country and a slower pace still.

Our data for this exact direction is thin, and we would rather say so than guess. We do not have a Ferryhopper route page for this pair, and our sampled timetable only covers the opposite direction. On 12 August 2026, the Express Skopelitis of Small Cyclades Lines ran from Iraklia to Schinoussa in 10 minutes, for a fare from €4.50. That boat is the local ferry that links the Small Cyclades one by one, so it is the most likely way to make the crossing in this direction too, but check your date before you rely on it.

Our older route data lists Blue Star Ferries and Seajets on this pair, with fares from €20 and a trip of about 2 hours. We could not match that to any dated timetable, and a 2-hour crossing does not square with islands this close together, so we treat it as unconfirmed.

In practice, plan this one day by day. Search the date you want on the booking page, look at the next day or two in case it is not running, and book your onward travel from Iraklia at the same time. If there is nothing direct, Naxos is the usual place to change.

The water between Schinoussa and Iraklia is short but not sheltered from the north, and the meltemi, the strong summer wind that usually peaks in July and August, can make even this hop uncomfortable. Small local ferries like the Express Skopelitis are the first to be held in port by the port authority on the roughest days, and they can run behind schedule after calling at several islands. If your sailing is cancelled, the operator will rebook or refund you. Because boats are few, a cancellation can cost you a day, so do not schedule this crossing right before a connection.