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The story of the Zakynthos’ Shipwreck beach

2 minutes to read

Published in March 2018

One of the most astonishing beaches definitely worth-visiting while cruising in Greece is of course, the famous “Shipwreck beach”, known in Greek as “Navagio”, located in the beautiful island of Zakynthos.

The Shipwreck Cove or the Smugglers Cove is probably the most famous beach in Greece and it can only be accessed by boat.

Zakynthos

Zakynthos, Greece

The story behind

The beach became famous after a naval accident during which the shipwreck of the merchant ship named “Panagiotis” was chased by the Greek authorities, as it had been suspected of smuggling alcohol and cigarettes into Zakynthos. The ship itself after crashing formed the beach and made the sand built up around it, creating that way this unreal blue shade of water.

This unique combination of the untouched by the human hand beach and the rusty ship in its midst created the most photographed theme in Zakynthos.

Beautiful Navagio Beach

Elation 290 91, Grèce

The Navagio nowadays

The beach is spectacular and of course it’s best viewed from above. For those who want to admire the beach with the wreck from above, it is recommended to reach the monastery of Saint George, that is considered to be the best viewing point of the iconic shipwreck.

Enclosed within large steep cliffs which give it this remote, inaccessible feel, the beach is only accessible by boat which you can actually take from the island’s capital, Zakynthos. There are boats and organised trips leaving from Zakynthos every day and in fact quite often, so you won’t really have a problem spotting them.

© Photo credit: Alistair Ford

Many travel guides agree that the Shipwreck is the most photographed place in Greece, getting even more attention than the Acropolis of Athens or the Parthenon.

Recommendations;

The tourists planning to lounge in the sun are advised to bring all necessities with them as there are no facilities in this secluded bay. An umbrella and a sunblock are definitely recommended. In order to avoid overcrowding, go to Navagio Beach either early in the morning or put off your visit until later in the afternoon (at around 3pm).