Shipwreck Bay in Zakynthos Island: Discovering Navagio Beach in Greece

“Three point eight thousand”

Navagio Beach on the island of Zakynthos in Greece is a stunning, secluded beach featuring a picturesque shipwreck surrounded by turquoise water and dramatic, winding cliffs.

Undoubtedly, you have come across the famous ‘shipwreck beach’ at some point, as it is one of the most iconic travel destinations globally. Due to its popularity, the beach has become a hotspot for tourists eager to witness the historic shipwreck firsthand.

The most stunning photos of Navagio shipwreck are captured from the high cliffs overlooking the beach, although it can also be exciting to take a boat and view the beach at sea level, despite the potential for large crowds.

Discover the Best Navagio Viewpoint and Beach Access in Zakynthos: A Complete Travel Guide

Top Navagio Excursion Deals

Let’s first discuss tour packages before we explore the renowned shipwreck beach in Greece.

Explore the picturesque coastline of Zakynthos on a boat tour to discover its sea caves, beaches, and other breathtaking sights.

Consider using GetYourGuide for boat tours in Zakynthos! They offer top-rated tours to key attractions such as Navagio Beach, Blue Caves, Turtle Island, and more. Most tours also provide complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off from popular areas in Zakynthos.

We have booked numerous day tours and activities with this company across the globe, and they have consistently provided excellent service. We highly recommend them.

Reserve Your Spot: Explore Navagio Shipwreck Beach with a Guided Tour

Navagio Beach Location

Navagio Beach can be found on the northwestern tip of Zakynthos island in Greece.

Zakynthos Island is easily accessible from Athens with daily affordable flights and ferries, covering a distance of approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) in the air.

Check out my comprehensive travel guide for Zakynthos Greece if you want to learn more about how to reach the island.

Exploring the Navagio Viewpoint: A Visitor’s Guide

Capture the Iconic View of Navagio from the Navagio Viewpoint

Explore Navagio Viewpoint with Your Own Vehicle or Book a Day Tour Package in Zakynthos

The viewpoint from the main town in Zakynthos is only a 45 minute drive away, and the road is mainly in good condition, although it becomes rough gravel at the very end leading to the parking lot.

Use this GPS location to navigate directly to the Navagio viewpoint while driving.

Long waits for photos at the Navagio viewpoint during summer months.

Since 2022, only one small platform on the cliffs has been open due to concerns about rockslides, leading to shorter lines in the morning but still requiring some waiting.

The metal railings surrounding the new viewing platform make it difficult to see the shipwreck, requiring a wide angle camera lens to capture the scenery effectively due to the platform’s close proximity. Using a normal lens is not an option.

Overall, the current setup is impractical and I am eager for a more effective safety solution to be implemented. It is disheartening to have the stunning view obstructed by tall barriers from almost every angle.

Prepare for the intense sun and heat! Consider bringing a hat and possibly an umbrella. It’s also a good idea to have cold drinks on hand. There are canteen trucks in the parking area that sell snacks, drinks, and souvenirs, but be aware that the prices are higher than usual.

Good news for you! You can still capture the iconic photos at Navagio if you’re willing to be patient and know the right spots to visit.

Visiting the Navagio viewpoint in the late afternoon allows for uninterrupted picture-taking along the cliff once the security guards leave. However, caution is advised to stay away from the edge for safety.

Once the security guards have departed, you are free to pass through the fence and follow the cliff to the end, where you will find a Greek flag approximately 400 meters from the main parking area. The terrain is rugged and rocky, with no shade from the sun, making it feel like a brief hike.

Navagio cliff used to be accessible to the public, but it was closed after a few tourists tragically fell to their deaths over the years, reportedly while taking selfies near the edge. At least one of the families affected attempted to file a lawsuit.

The breathtaking sight of Navagio Beach drew in dozens of other visitors who were grateful to experience it without any barriers. If you venture far enough, you’ll even catch a glimpse of a second beach nestled at the base of the striking white cliffs.

The water’s color is natural and vibrant, without any editing. Believe it or not, I didn’t enhance the saturation at all. In fact, I had to tone down the color on some of the pictures because it looked almost unreal!

The western location of Zakynthos offers a great vantage point for witnessing stunning sunsets, making it ideal for capturing the beach and sunset in a wide panoramic photo.

Accessing Navagio Beach from the viewpoint is not feasible due to the absence of a path down the steep 200 meter cliffs. The only way to reach the beach is through a boat tour, which will be explained in more detail later.

Nevertheless, the viewpoint remains one of the top attractions in Zakynthos, and you should definitely include it in your travel plans!

Reserve Your Spot for the Navagio Beach & Viewpoint Private Tour

Exploring Navagio Beach: A Visitor’s Guide

Exploring Navagio Shipwreck: A Different Perspective

Options:
1. Boat trips to Navagio Beach usually leave from the nearby Porto Vromi harbor. While you can try to rent a boat on the spot, it’s usually best to book a tour package online.

Navagio excursions typically offer around 60 minutes at the beach, allowing ample time to explore the shipwreck and capture it from various perspectives. Despite its appearance in photographs, Navagio is actually a beach of small white pebbles rather than white sand.

MV Panagiotis, the shipwrecked boat, is now beginning to deteriorate from rust after being exposed to the elements for over 40 years. The graffiti left by visitors has added a unique touch to the boat.

Navagio Beach is overrun with tourists and tour boats during the day, making it crowded and chaotic. To avoid the crowds, it is best to visit before 8 AM or after 6 PM, especially during the summer.

However, the beach is still very pleasant and it’s enjoyable to get a close look at the rusty shipwreck!

Secure Your Spot: Private Tour of Navagio Beach and Blue Caves – Book Now

The story behind the Navagio Shipwreck

The name ‘Navagio’ Beach is derived from the Greek word for shipwreck.

The tale goes back to October 2, 1980, when the ship MV Panagiotis was headed for Italy carrying a secret load of cigarettes from Turkey valued at over $200,000 USD.

Dispute over profits leads to Italian crew members being taken hostage during contraband cigarette smuggling operation in Italy.

Read the full story in Greek here if you’re interested. It’s a captivating tale, and many of the details were only recently revealed to the public.

In short, the boat encountered engine trouble and a bad storm while passing through Greek waters, causing it to be shipwrecked on the beach in Zakynthos before the captain could execute his plan. Quite a unique place to end up, don’t you think?

The boat’s valuable cargo was ruined or stolen after the shipwreck, and the boat’s skeleton has been resting on Navagio Beach ever since, gradually deteriorating from the effects of time and the elements.

Navagio Beach has gained widespread recognition for its stunning natural beauty and fascinating backstory. It has even been showcased in films like the 2016 Korean drama ‘Descendants of the Sun.’

Today, the shipwreck on Navagio Beach is likely one of the most renowned travel images globally, and it played a significant role in establishing Zakynthos island as a top tourist spot in Greece!

Admission Costs

Both the beach and the viewpoint are free to enter, and parking is also complimentary.

Admission to this attraction is free, but you may need to pay for a tour or transportation.

“Is Navagio Beach currently open or closed?”

The Navagio viewpoint and beach are accessible whenever the weather allows. Visitors can come at any time, day, or month. During winter, it may be necessary to arrange a private tour due to fewer boats operating in the off-peak season.

Occasionally, Navagio Beach may temporarily close to visitors due to recent rockslides at the cliffs. Although this has occurred in the past, the closures were short-lived and the beach reopened as usual shortly after.

Navagio Beach Closed for Summer 2023 Due to Landslide Risk; Hopes for 2024 Reopening with Safety Measures

Is it possible to operate a drone at Navagio Beach?

Is it permissible to operate a drone at Navagio Beach? It’s advisable to inquire beforehand if you plan to fly a drone.

We inquired with the security guards about flying at the viewpoint, and they gave us permission. Flying at the beach is also permitted, but it’s not advisable due to the high volume of people.

Greece has relaxed rules for drones, with little enforcement of EU regulations, providing plenty of peaceful areas for flying without causing disruptions.

Capture Stunning Aerial Photos of the Steep Limestone Cliffs Along the Entire West Coast of Zakynthos Island with a Drone!

Should I visit Navagio?

In my view, Navagio is definitely worth the visit!

At first, waiting in line for photos at the Navagio viewpoint was a bit frustrating, and I hope a better solution is found. In the meantime, it’s still possible to avoid the lines and get the iconic pictures by going late in the afternoon.

The beach was a bit overwhelming due to the large crowds, making it difficult to enjoy and take pictures. My parents, who are seniors, found it to be quite chaotic and overwhelming.

However, it was fascinating to see the shipwreck from a close distance, and we also had the opportunity to explore several other incredible locations during our Zakynthos boat tour, so the trip was definitely not a disappointment.

Additional Attractions Near Navagio Beach

Many other wonderful attractions can be found near Navagio Beach and its viewpoint.

The Monastery of Agios Georgios Krimnon is a must-see near the viewpoint, located just a 5-minute drive away. It is a small 16th century monastery.

Enjoy a scenic walk along the path behind it leading to a stunning viewpoint of the Ionian Sea, perfect for watching the sunset.

Make sure to explore the sea caves in the area when you take a boat to visit Navagio Beach!

The Hidden Treasure Cave near shipwreck beach is particularly beautiful, with a high ceiling that allows sunlight to pour in, creating a photogenic and stunning atmosphere. Accessible only by boat, it is a must-see destination.

Only one small boat can fit inside the cave at a time, and only private boat tours visit this spot, while shared tours do not.

Explore my comprehensive travel guide for Zakynthos island for more sightseeing recommendations!

What items should be brought along?

Check out these packing tips for your upcoming trip to Zakynthos, Greece.

You can likely find most of these items on the island in a hurry, but the quality of goods purchased from street vendors is not assured (I wouldn’t trust a cheap imitation bag from a street vendor to safeguard my valuable camera equipment).

Consider purchasing verified products on the internet!

Necessary Gear for Protecting Your Electronics and Feet on Boat Trips

Accommodation Options in Zakynthos

Zakynthos Greece Travel Tips and Recommendations

We appreciate your interest! I trust you found this travel guide to Navagio Beach Greece enjoyable. This bay, home to a shipwreck, was among our top attractions on Zakynthos island.

Make sure to take a look at my comprehensive Zakynthos Travel Guide for additional advice, information, and pictures!