It is located South of Naxos and Northeast of Herakleia. Its area is 8,5 squ. klms. and it has got 120 people living in two settlements at Panagia (100 people) and Messaria (20 people).

Schoinousa belongs to the perfecture of Naxos. It has got a mild and cool climate without extremes and many times one feels that it is summer all year around. The island's port is Mersini and is alleged to be one of the best shelters for the little boats in the Aegean. The village is 1.200 mts away from the port. The trip from Pireus takes 7 to 8 hrs approximately. The transportation is frequent especially in the summer time.There is a daily cruise from Naxos to all the little islands and linking them to Amorgos, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos. The ship is called "Skopelitis" and returns to Naxos the same day.
The inhabitants are employed in farming, animal-breeding fishing and tourism. There are two churches on the island, Panagia which lends the name to Chora (the Capital), and Evaggelistria at Messaria. For Panagia there is a fete in the 15th of August followed by food, drinks and dancing. Evaggelistria celebrates on the 25th of March. In the past there were plenty of raids from pirates and the locals were forced to build their village on a top of the hill so that they could have a clear view of the sea and make it hard for the pirates to surprise them.
The last people who came to Schinousa were from Amorgos back in 1840. Former names of the island were Echinousa and Panidia. To the South there are the little islands of Argilos and Ofidousa. The beauty of the landscape puts Schinousa apart from the rest of the little Cyclades. The most demanding visitor will marvel at the scenery of the 15 beaches since there is a panoramic view enabling the visitor to enjoy the nearby islands. For those who love sparefishing and the sea-sports the deep-blue water of Schinousa is ideal.