Donoussa – Iraklia
Ferries to Cyclades Islands
Donoussa – Iraklia
Ferries to Cyclades Islands
The Donoussa Iraklia ferry route connects Cyclades Islands with Cyclades Islands. Currently there is just the 1 ferry company operating this ferry service, Small Cyclades Lines. The crossing operates up to 3 times each week with sailing durations from around 2 hours 5 minutes.
Donoussa Iraklia sailing durations and frequency may vary from season to season so we’d advise doing a live check to get the most up to date information.
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Forming one of the Cyclades group of islands, the Greek island of Donoussa is roughly 16 km to the east of the island of Naxos and 25 km to the north of the island of Amorgos. Donoussa is quite a small island measuring around 14 sq. km, with its highest point 385 m above sea level. Due to its small size, the island has remained a virgin place for summer holidays, with few tourist facilities and much privacy. The island's main town is also called Donoussa.
Many visitors to the island while away the hours by swimming in the warm, crystal clear waters off the island's beaches. Most of the beaches are not organised and are mostly accessible on foot. For the more energetic visitor, the island is an ideal destination for trekking.
Donoussa can be reached by ferry from Piraeus or with local boat from Naxos and Amorgos. The small ferryboat Express Skopelitis works the route between Naxos, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissi, Donoussa and Amorgos three to five days a week during the summer months.
The small Greek island of Iraklia is located at the western edge of the Small Eastern Cyclades group of islands and only has around 100 inhabitants. The island is characterised by hills, thick vegetation, clear waters with the od shipwreck on the sea floor, and scenic bays which all combine to make it one of the most unspoilt islands of the Cyclades. For nature lovers the island is home to the Mediterranean seal and the marine turtle, Caretta Caretta. The island only has two villages. Ayios Georgios, which is home to the island's harbour, and Panayia.
Perhaps because the island is so small its history remains largely unknown with speculation that is may have been a Minoan settlement in the 2nd century BC, as there is an similar city in Crete. Under Venetian and Ottoman rule, the island paid taxes but it seems that it was the only obligation the Iraklians had.
From the island's port there are ferries available that depart to the Port of Piraeus with a crossing time of between 8 and 10 hours, depending on itinerary. There are also ferry services to the other islands of the Small Cyclades and to Naxos and Amorgos.
