zakynthos navagio beach boat trip

How To Visit The Navagio Beach Shipwreck In Zakynthos

Navagio Beach is a beautiful secluded beach on Zakynthos island in Greece , with a photogenic shipwreck that’s surrounded by turquoise water and dramatic, winding cliffs.

You’ve no doubt seen this ‘shipwreck beach’ before, because it’s probably one of the most famous travel pictures in the world! Word has gone out, and the beach is now crowded with tourists wanting to see the rusty old shipwreck up close.

The best pictures of Navagio shipwreck are actually taken from the steep cliffs above, rather than on the beach itself, but it’s also fun to get in a boat and go see the beach at eye level, if you’re willing to brave the crowds.

This travel guide will explain how to get to the best Navagio viewpoint for photos, how to visit the beach by boat and see it up close, which tour packages to use in Zakynthos , and everything else you need to know before you go!

Best Navagio Tour Packages

Before we dive into more detail about Greece’s famous shipwreck beach, let’s talk about tour packages.

The coastline of Zakynthos is full of sea caves, beaches, and other wonderful sights that can only be seen with a boat tour.

We recommend GetYourGuide for boat tours in Zakynthos! They have high rated tours for all of the best sights like Navagio Beach, Blue Caves, Turtle Island, and more. These tours usually include free hotel pickup and drop-off from most of the popular areas in Zakynthos.

We’ve used this company for lots of day tours and activities around the world, and they’re great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Navagio Shipwreck Beach Tour

Where Is Navagio Beach?

Navagio Beach is located on the northwest corner of Zakynthos island in Greece .

Zakynthos island is easy to reach from Athens, and there are daily flights and ferries for reasonable prices. The distance is only about 240 kilometers (150 miles) as the plane flies.

If you’re looking for more information about how to get to Zakynthos island, you can find that in my complete travel guide for Zakynthos Greece .

Shipwreck Beach Greece viewpoint

How To Visit Navagio Viewpoint

If you’re mainly wanting to see the iconic postcard view and take photos of it, you can do that from the Navagio viewpoint, on the cliffs high above the beach. This is where all the great pictures of Navagio are taken, rather than on the beach itself.

You can drive to the Navagio viewpoint yourself with a car or ATV, or book a day tour package that includes transport to the viewpoint along with several other sights in Zakynthos.

It’s a tame 45 minute drive to the viewpoint from the main town in Zakynthos, and the paved road is mostly in good condition, although it turns into rough gravel at the very end when you reach the parking lot.

If you’re driving, you can plug this GPS location into your map to take you directly to the Navagio viewpoint.

Shipwreck beach from above

The Greek shipwreck beach

Unfortunately there are very long lines to take pictures at the Navagio viewpoint, so you may have to wait in line for up to an hour during the summer months.

That’s largely because since 2022, only one small platform on the cliffs is open due to the authorities being worried about rockslides at the cliff. Lines are shorter in the morning, but you’ll still have to wait.

The new viewing platform is surrounded by metal railings. You can barely see the shipwreck, and you need a wide angle camera lens to take any decent pictures of the scenery because the platform is so close to it. With a normal lens, forget about it.

Overall, it’s a silly setup and I hope they come up with a better safety solution soon. It’s very frustrating to have such a beautiful view blocked by tall fences on almost all sides.

The sun and heat makes it even worse! Bring a hat and maybe an umbrella. You’ll want cold drinks too. There are canteen trucks in the parking area selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs, but the prices are inflated, as you’d expect.

Be prepared to wait at the viewpoint. This was only half of the line!

This wide angle picture was taken from the main viewing platform at Navagio

However, there is some good news! You can still get the iconic photos at Navagio if you’re patient and know where to go.

If you visit the Navagio viewpoint in the late afternoon, the security guards eventually leave and you can take pictures all along the cliff, without people or fences blocking the view. Just be very careful and don’t go too close to the edge. Your safety is in your own hands here.

After the security guards leave, you can walk through the fence and along the cliff to the end, until you reach a Greek flag about 400 meters from the main parking area. It’s almost like a short hike, because the ground is very rocky and uneven, and there’s no shade at all from the hot sun.

This whole cliff at Navagio used to be open to the public, but it was closed after a couple of tourists fell to their deaths over the years (allegedly taking selfies near the edge), and at least one of the families tried to bring a lawsuit.

Another view of Navagio Bay

It’s an amazing view of Navagio, and we were joined by dozens of other people relieved to see it without fences. If you walk far enough, you can even see a second beach at the bottom of the bright white cliffs.

The water is incredibly blue. The pictures on this page are not photoshopped! Believe it or not, I didn’t add any saturation at all. In fact, I had to remove a bit of color from the water on some of the pictures because it almost looked fake!

Since the viewpoint is located on the west side of Zakynthos, it’s a great place to watch the sunset, and you can use a wide panoramic photo to capture the beach together with the sunset.

Keep in mind, it’s not possible to reach Navagio Beach from the viewpoint. There’s no path to go down to the beach, because the 200 meter cliffs are too steep. The only way to walk on the beach is with a boat tour, and that’s explained later in more detail.

However, the viewpoint is still one of the best sights in Zakynthos, so you should definitely add it to your itinerary!

Book Now: Navagio Beach & Viewpoint / Private Tour

Drone pic of shipwreck beach from above

How To Visit Navagio Beach

Even though the best pictures of Navagio shipwreck are actually taken from the steep cliffs above, it’s also fun to get in a boat and go see the beach at eye level, if you’re willing to brave the crowds.

Boat tours to Navagio Beach generally depart from the nearby harbor at Porto Vromi. You can show up there and try to arrange a boat rental on the spot, but it’s generally better to book a tour package online .

Navagio tours usually give you about 1 hour at the beach, which is plenty of time to disembark, see the shipwreck, and take pictures of it from all angles. Even though Navagio looks like a white sand beach in pictures, it’s actually covered with small white pebbles.

Up close view of the Navagio shipwreck

The shipwrecked boat, called MV Panagiotis , is starting to rust away now after sitting in the elements here for more than 40 years. The graffiti left on it by visitors has also given it some extra personality.

Shipwreck Beach gets very crowded and chaotic during the daytime, when it’s bombarded with tourists and tour boats. During the summer, the only time you can avoid the crowds at Navagio Beach is by arriving before 8 AM or after 6 PM.

Nevertheless, it’s still a very nice beach and the rusty shipwreck is fun to see up close!

Book Now: Navagio Beach & Blue Caves / Private Tour

The back side of MV Panagiotis

History Of The Navagio Shipwreck

‘Navagio’ Beach gets its name from the Greek word for shipwreck.

The story dates back to October 2, 1980, when the coaster MV Panagiotis was bound for Italy with a smuggled cargo of cigarettes from Turkey worth more than $200,000 USD.

The plan was to sell the contraband cigarettes in Italy, but at some point in the journey, the Greek captain demanded a bigger share of the profits, which led to a dispute and two of the Italian crew members being taken hostage at gunpoint.

If you’re interested, you can read the complete story in Greek here . It’s a fascinating story, and most of the details weren’t fully known to the public until very recently.

Navagio is one of my favorite travel pictures anywhere in the world!

Long story short, before the captain could pull off his plan, the boat had engine trouble and ran into a bad storm while passing through Greek waters, causing it to be shipwrecked on the beach in Zakynthos. What a perfect place to land, right?

Most of the boat’s valuable cargo was spoiled or looted after the shipwreck, and the skeleton of the boat has been sitting on Navagio Beach ever since then, slowly being broken down by time and the elements.

Over the years, Navagio Beach became well known for its natural beauty and the interesting story behind it. It’s also been featured in movies, such as the 2016 Korean drama ‘Descendants of the Sun.’

Today, the shipwreck at Navagio Beach is probably one of the most famous travel photographs in the world, and it almost singlehandedly made Zakynthos island one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece!

The Zakynthos shipwreck

Entrance Fees

There’s no entrance fee at either the beach or the viewpoint. Parking is also free.

This attraction is completely free to visit, aside from the cost of hiring a tour or transport to get there.  

Is Navagio Beach Open / Closed?

In general, the Navagio viewpoint and beach are always open when weather permits. You can visit at any hour, day, or month. If you visit in the winter, you may need to book a private tour since there are less boats running in the low season months.

However, Navagio Beach can sometimes be closed temporarily to visitors if there was a recent rockslide at the cliffs. This has happened in the past, but the closures were pretty brief and then everything reopened as normal a short time later.

Unfortunately, they had to close Navagio Beach (not the viewpoint) for the summer of 2023 because the authorities were worried about the risk of landslides. Hopefully in 2024 the beach will stay open with some reasonable safety rules.

Navagio Bay

Can You Fly A Drone At Navagio?

Yes, it’s possible to fly a drone at Navagio, although it’s a good idea to ask before you fly.

We asked the security guards if we could fly at the viewpoint, and they said it was okay. You’re also allowed to fly at the beach, but that’s not a smart place to do it since it’s so crowded.

The locals in Greece aren’t strict about drones. EU regulations on drones aren’t really enforced here, and there are lots of quiet places to fly without disturbing anyone.

The entire west coast of Zakynthos island is lined with steep limestone cliffs, so you can get some amazing drone photos!

Top down view of the shipwreck bay

Drone view of Navagio point

Is Navagio Worth It?

Yes, in my opinion Navagio is totally worth it!

I will admit it was a bit annoying at first queueing for photos at the Navagio viewpoint, and I hope they come up with a better solution, but in the meantime it’s still possible to get the iconic pictures without queues if you go late in the afternoon.

The beach, on the other hand, was a bit of a mixed bag for me because of the crazy crowds. The sheer number of people at Navagio Beach was shocking and made it very hard to take pictures or enjoy where you are. I brought my parents, who are seniors, and they were pretty overwhelmed. My dad even joked that it felt like ‘D-Day’ with all the boats and chaos.

Still, it’s neat to see the shipwreck up close, and we got to visit a bunch of other amazing places on our Zakynthos boat tour, so the excursion didn’t feel like a waste at all.

Sunset at Navagio viewpoint

More Things To See Near Navagio

There are lots of other great things to see near the Navagio Beach and viewpoint.

One of the best things to see near the viewpoint is the Monastery of Agios Georgios Krimnon. This is a small 16th century monastery just a 5 minute drive from the viewpoint.

There’s a walking path behind it that takes you to a cross with wonderful views of the Ionian Sea, and it’s also a great sunset spot.

Sunset at the cross behind the monastery

When you visit Navagio Beach by boat, don’t forget to visit some of the sea caves in the area!

One of these, called the Hidden Treasure Cave, is especially nice, with a high ceiling at the top that pours in sunlight and makes the whole cave amazingly beautiful and photogenic. It’s located near the shipwreck beach, and you can only get there by boat.

The cave is only big enough for one small boat to fit inside it at a time, and only private boat tours go to this spot. Shared tours skip it.

For more ideas of things to see in Zakynthos island, check out my complete Zakynthos travel guide !

Hidden Treasure Cave is another nice spot to see near the shipwreck beach

What To Bring

Here are some packing suggestions for your trip to Zakynthos Greece.

Most of the items below can probably be found on the island in a pinch, but the quality of stuff you buy on the street won’t be guaranteed (personally, I’m not about to use a junky knockoff bag from a street vendor to protect my expensive camera gear).

It’s best to buy vetted products online!

• Waterproof Bag: Essential for keeping your electronics safe on the boats. I brought a 30 liter bag and was able to fit my drone, tablet, camera, phone, and a bunch of other stuff inside. Everything was kept dry, even when I took the bag swimming a few times!
• Waterproof Phone Pouch: Same as above, but these are for your phone only. Great if you don’t have other electronics and just need something small to protect your phone.
• Snorkeling Gear: Good for exploring the clear waters around Zakynthos, and sometimes you can even see turtles. Snorkels and masks can be borrowed or rented from the boat companies too, but if you plan to do multiple tours it’s better to bring your own gear.
• Water Shoes: Save your feet some grief and wear water shoes! The beach at Navagio is covered with pebbles, not sand, so it doesn’t feel good barefoot. Water shoes are helpful for getting in and out of the boat.

Where To Stay In Zakynthos

Contessina Suites

Alykanas Beach Hotel

Zante Calinica Hotel

Vanessa Hotel

More Zakynthos Greece Travel Tips

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for Navagio Beach Greece. This shipwreck bay was one of our favorite sights in Zakynthos island.

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Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope I get a chance to take a vacation at Navagio Beach because I have heard a lot about how wonderful the place is.

It’s an amazing place!

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Navagio Beach in Zakynthos – how to get there and what to see

This is the beach that features on practically every postcard of Zante. On the Greek island of Zakynthos it’s known as Navagio beach, but to tourists as Shipwreck beach or Smuggler’s cove.

You’ve probably seen it in glossy coffee table books featuring beautiful shots of Greece. It regularly gets a mention on those lists of “ best beaches in the world “.

This article may contain affiliate links that provide commission on purchases you make at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Greece’s most photogenic beach

Navagio is certainly one of the most photogenic beaches in Greece. The rusty old wreck is stranded on the crescent of pale sand, framed by the steep limestone cliffs and the turquoise sea. This makes it a winning photographic combination.

You can get that postcard shot yourself, from a metal platform that juts out from the cliff above the beach. Here you’ll also find a taverna, ice cream van and stalls selling local honey and souvenirs.

A couple of years ago I stood on the metal platform and took the postcard shot you see above. On this summer’s visit to Zante I thought it was about time that I paid Navagio beach a personal visit.

Discover the Windmill Bay Hotel in Zakynthos – a 4-star seaside hotel in Greece

Accessible only by boat

The only way that you can set foot on Navagio beach is by boat. Most of the boat trips around the north end of Zakynthos will take you there.

You can take one of the full day “round the island” trips that go from Zante town. These tend to be larger boats and a whole day in the sun and on the waves could be too much of a good thing.

We decided instead to drive further north to where the smaller boats go on frequent trips from either St Nicholas port or Makris Gialos. This small beach is just before the St Nicholas port on the north-east tip of Zakynthos.

There’s a little kiosk beside the road at Makris Gialos. From there we booked for a 2-3 hour trip on a speedboat that would take around 20 people.

The lady at the kiosk warned us that the sea around the Shipwreck beach was quite rough today. So, the boat might not be able to take us right up to the beach. “You don’t get seasick?” she asked and we all shook our heads, looking out at the gently lapping waves on the beach. We wondered how there could possibly be a problem.

You may also enjoy: 20 of the best beaches in Zakynthos – Greece

A choppy boat ride

The boat powered away from the jetty and soon as we were clear of land. The captain was a wiry Greek with an all over tan and a cigarette glued in his hand. He opened the throttle and the nose of the speedboat rose into the air.

At first the speed and spray felt thrilling and the girls clambered onto the front of the boat to sun themselves in their bikinis. However, the boat rounded the northernmost point of the island and entered unprotected waters. Here the sea became more choppy and the speedboat was banging up and down onto the waves.

The girls scrambled for the safety of their seats behind the captain. We all clung on, wishing that he would slow down a little. After around 40 minutes Shipwreck bay came into sight. We were all feeling distinctly queasy and wished that we could get off the boat.

Now we were close to the Shipwreck beach and the captain skillfully manoeuvred the speedboat as close to shore as he could. Now we could make the short swim to shore for a closer look.

Despite the swell, we all managed to swim ashore, although a large wave knocked me off my feet and tumbled me round like a washing machine. It sent seawater up my nose and dropped me spluttering into the shallows with a bikini full of gravel.

The shipwreck’s lore

Because we couldn’t bring our towels or picnic from the boat, we just walked around to look at the rusty hull of the ship. The girls lay at the water’s edge being washed by the surf. The boat was supposedly smuggling cigarettes when it went aground in the 1980s. That could just be a story the Greeks tell to give it a dramatic twist for the tourists.

The hull was broken open with a shady place to sit in the sand beneath. The metal had corroded away to make a lacework of holes in the side through which I could look back to our group on the sand.

I didn’t dare attempt to bring my iPhone through the surf to take any photos. My niece gave hers to the captain who put it in a plastic bag and swam one-armed with it above his head. He judged the swell just right and scrambled ashore.

I borrowed Sophia’s phone to take these pictures of the shipwreck from the beach. After around 30 minutes we all swam back to the boat which was pitching back and forth in the swell.

It was a bit grim speeding back around the northern point of the island, as we all felt seasick. The captain showed no mercy with the speed of the boat, intent on getting back as quickly as possible. The seas tend to get rougher as the day goes on.

The Blue Caves

Once we were around the point the sea calmed and the captain slowed down. We neared the second part of our boat trip, a visit to the sea caves known as the Blue Caves.

We had swum in similar sea caves on last year’s boat trip from Agios Sostis around Laganas Bay. Here we had spotted some loggerhead or Caretta Caretta turtles that nest on the southern beaches of Zante.

The captain nosed the boat into a couple of the sea caves to show us the intense sparkling blue colour of the water in the caves that gives them their name. We anchored for a while to give everyone a chance to swim and snorkel.

While exploring locations like this be sure to check out the beach shoes I recommend in this beach trip packing list

After around 30 minutes at the caves, we started back to the beach and this time the ride was much more leisurely and pleasant. By the time we docked we had all but forgotten the sea-sickness we felt before.

I highly recommend a boat trip to Shipwreck Beach if you want to see a unique side of Zante. I’d also recommend that you heed the warnings of the locals if they tell you that the sea is too rough. It may be deceptively calm on one side of the island but much rougher on the other side if the wind is high.

Tips if you’d like to take this boat trip

We took the boat trip from Makris Gialos, where there is a kiosk by the road above the beach and a small shop and taverna.

Other options are to take a similar boat trip from St Nicholas Port, on the north-east coast of Zakynthos where a number of different boats do the same 2-3 hour trip. Or, book a full day ‘Round the Island’ trip from Zante town or from other resorts on the island.

Some boat trips will also take you just to the Blue Caves which is a shorter 1.5 hour trip and may be better if you don’t like rough seas.

Our 2.5-3 hour boat trip cost €20 per person although you may be able to negotiate a discount if you have a group of 6 or more.

Additional considerations

You should take a look at the boat to ensure that it has full shade and consider the size of the boat. For this trip a boat that takes 15-20 people is best as it will be small enough to get into the Blue Caves and to get close to Shipwreck Beach. A larger boat may be more stable but you may not be able to get close to the beach.

The Blue Caves are on the north-east side of the island where the sea is much calmer, while Shipwreck beach is on the north-west side where the sea is rough. Take local advice on the best day to go when the sea is not too rough and if you are prone to seasickness, you may want to consider medication or not go to the Shipwreck Beach but just do the trip to the Blue Caves.

If you are based at the southern end of Zakynthos as we were at Argassi, you may want to try a turtle spotting boat trip instead that will take you through Laganas Bay to spot for turtles , followed by swimming around the sea caves at Keri.

Visitor info for Zante

Jet2.com runs weekly flights to Zante from Manchester and Leeds Bradford and flights from many other local UK airports to your favourite holiday destinations. 

Need a guide book for Zakynthos? We recommend the Marco Polo Guide to Zakynthos and Kefalonia

More tales from Zante

Jetting off to Zante with Jet2.com Sunshine, beaches and freddoccinos – my week on Zante in Instagram photos Is this the best beach in the world? – Navagio on Zante

Thanks to Jet2.com for providing* flights for Heather’s trip to Zakynthos, Greece.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Johan Miles

Monday 2nd of December 2013

@Olivia I think greek islands are offering plenty of beautiful sights. Santorini is a Great island with a wonderful sunset but in my personal opinion Zakynthos is way more beautiful.

Thursday 10th of October 2013

Heather, thanks for the beautiful pictures of Navagio! I'm glad I discovered your blog as I'm planning a trip to Greece (Santorini!) next summer, and now I think I have to add this to the itinerary. Thank you for the inspiration. Can't wait to visit Shipwrecked Beach!

Heather Cowper

@Olivia It's certainly a beautiful and unusual beach to visit

Wednesday 9th of October 2013

Greece looks breathtaking!I am planning on visiting Greece very soon. My travel agent has been trying to book me tickets with Lufthansa. I travel only with Lufthansa because they are extremely luxurious and worth every penny i spend on my traveling. Hopefully, i should be getting my tickets to Greece soon.

Friday 2nd of August 2013

I visited Zakynthos in 2009.It is such a beautiful island!!!I definitely want to visit it again. We went to Navagio beach, it was absolutely stunning!!!The water was so cold and so clear!!!But it was pretty windy, like the day you visited it.The sand was white and the cliffs around made you feel like a cast away...it was amazing!!We fortunately had rent a car , during our stay there. Hiring a car enabled us to visit many truly beautiful spots and get away from the touristy places.

Wednesday 31st of July 2013

There is a reason that this beach keeps showing up in photographs. It's beautiful. The boat trip sounds amazing.

Boat trips to Shipwreck beach

Plan your trip.

Cruise to one of the most famous beaches in the world and get dropped off at the magnificent Navagio Beach in Zakynthos. See the legendary shipwreck up close, and get the option to stay longer at the beach if you choose.

Visiting Navagio by boat is a must on Zakynthos but it cannot be compared to the view revealed from edge of the cliffs above. Seeing the beach from the sea and from the cliff top is like seeing two different places and the best is if you can do both.

By speedboat A picture perfect setting awaits you at Navagio Beach, an exposed cove on the coast of Zakynthos. Visitors come from all corners of the world to grab photos of the famous ship wreck, called Panagiotis. The gorgeous blue water is just stunning in contrast to the white cliffs and sand.

The platform is easily reachable by car, your own or rented. Bus trips are also organized but like the full-day boat trips there is one negative – you will spend very little time there because it will be part of a program intended to show you as many places as possible in a day.

Zakynthos Island: Navagio Shipwreck Beach Tour

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Navagio Beach

Porto vromi maries consortium.

The “Shipwreck” beach has been voted and indeed is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Gorgeous crystal clear, staggering natural color combinations make up a majestic landscape that excites every visitor.

Shipwreck is a beach which is only accessible by sea. It is a bay in which the ship “Panayotis” washed up in 1980 due to the bad weather and mechanical problems.

Since then, the beach was named “Shipwreck” (Navagio in Greek).

The beach today is internationally a famous attraction for thousands of tourists every year.

PORTO VROMI MARIES CRUISES & FUN Maries, Zakynthos, 29 100, Greece

Call Us: +30 6973247390 | +30 6970499758

[email protected]

PORTO VROMI MARIES BOAT TRIPS

We organize boat tours to the Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos.Apart from Navagio Beach, our tour includes a visit to the most beautiful blue caves of Zakynthos, Sfogio beach, White beach, Porto Steniti,Poseidon’s profile and many other amazing places.

• Shipwreck Tour
• Boat Rentals
• Shipwreck Beach

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• April to October
• Daily, from 08.00 to 19.00
• Boats leave every 40 mins
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Use the code “MARIES2024” and get 15% discount on your tickets

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From St Nikolaos port: Boat cruise to navagio shipwreck beach and blue caves

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• 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
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Zakynthos Navagio (Shipwreck beach)

General information

Note (2023):  Guests can only swim 40 meters from Navagio.  They can not access the beach due to work being done to prevent landslides up until October 31st.

One of the finest gems of the Ionian Sea, Navagio or Shipwreck Beach is by far the most popular destination in Zakynthos since it is a world-famous natural sight! Known for its iconic bright turquoise waters and the gigantic cliffs that surround this magnificent bay, the seashore (also called Smugglers Cove) is so renowned it can be spotted in plenty of postcards and souvenirs in various spots of Greece! The stunning combination of clear waters and white sand makes it stand out amongst all other shores of the island!

DISCOVER THE BEACHES WITH YOUR OWN CAR! We offer the best prices and our service is rated Rent your car with us

Navagio was once named Agios Georgios , getting its new name from a shipwreck that was washed ashore in 1980! The ship MV Panagiotis  said to have been smuggling large amounts of contraband cigarettes, was abandoned by its crew due to poor weather conditions and trouble with the local navy authorities! Nowadays, the rusted ship is well-covered in Navagio’s characteristic white sand, whereas many travelers have left their mark on the ship through the use of graffiti.

Shipwreck Navagio is a completely non-organized seashore, having an absence of on-the-beach facilities other than the grand shipwreck! It can only be approached by boat (usually from the ports of Porto Vromi and Agios Nikolaos) or via a privately rented speedboat . The viewpoint above the beach can be easily reached by car, though!

Keep in mind that due to its popularity, this shore gets overcrowded during the high season!

Top Activities & Tours in Navagio or Shipwreck

Island tour by bus.

Discover the non tourist side of Zakynthos in this lovely bus tour. See the traditional villages, the Shipwreck from above and the Blue Caves by boat.

Pirate cruise around the island

Explore the coastline of Zakynthos on this amazing pirate ship. See the Blue Caves and the Caves of Keri, swim at the famous Shipwreck Beach and see the seaside villages of Zakynthos from the sea!

Cruise around the island by Delfini

A marvelous tour that goes around the wild coasts of Zakynthos. See the Blue Caves, swim in Navagio Beach, admire the caves of Keri and see the coastline of this lovely island.

Navagio or Shipwreck Map

Photos by greeka members, photos by greeka team.

• el2335 10 Jan 2009 Best beach on the island We went to Navagio by taxi boat (the excursion also included Marathonisi and Keri caves). This is the beach you see in all posters and travel guides of Zakynthos, an amazing beach with picturesque ambience and crystal water. Probably the best beach on the island. I just wish it wasn't so crowded when we went, I believe I would have enjoyed more my time there.
• tzina57yut 04 Aug 2008 The treasure of Zakynthos Our excursion to Navagio left us with the best pictures to remember from Zakynthos. These are the cleanest water I have ever seen. The water was like crystal, pure and great crystal! I am sad to see that some peope do not respect the environment and pollute the beaches, but fortunately this is not the case with Navagio. Please keep this beach safe and clean, it is the treasure of Zakynthos!

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Shipwreck Beach Zakynthos: Everything You Need to Know to Visit Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zante, Greece!

Posted on Last updated: October 29, 2023

Planning to visit the famous Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos, but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place!

Navagio Beach in Zante, Greece, is also known as Shipwreck Beach due to the huge ship wrecked on the beach (as you may have guessed from the name). It’s one of the most famous beaches in Greece, if not all of Europe.

As such, if you’re planning a trip to Zante, it’s only natural that you will want to add this iconic spot to your Zante itinerary.

In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about visiting Navagio Shipwreck Beach. Including its exact position, how to get there, how to get to its famous viewpoint, the best tours to join, what to do and more!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and discover how to make the most of your time at Shipwreck Beach in Zante!

• 1 What is Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos?
• 2 Where is Navagio Shipwreck Beach
• 3.1 How to get to Navagio Beach 
• 3.2 How to get to Shipwreck Navagio Beach viewpoint
• 4 How to see that iconic Shipwreck Beach view
• 5 Best Zakynthos shipwreck tours
• 6 What can you do at Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos?
• 7 Is it worth visiting Navagio Shipwreck Beach?
• 8 Where to stay in Zante to visit Navagio Beach

View over the iconic Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zante, Greece

What is Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos?

Whether you call it Navagio Beach, Smuggler’s Cove, Agios Georgios (its original name it was previously known with) or Shipwreck Beach, there’s no denying the beauty of this amazing slice of coastline.

And as you can probably tell from the names, it’s a beach with a shipwreck on it. But how did it get there?

The famous Zante shipwreck is the remains of the MV Panagiotis , a ship that ran aground during bad weather in 1980. There are different rumours around how exactly this happened.

Some say it was smuggling contraband cigarettes for the Italian mafia, and was wrecked while being chased by the Greek authorities! But that’s just a story.

Either way, the wreck provides a cool contrast to the white cliffs, gleaming white sand beach and bright turquoise sea of the cove.

Plus it’s been made even more famous thanks to it featuring in the 2016 Korean TV series Descendants of the Sun , with K-drama aficionados making the pilgrimage to the famed location.

The famous shipwreck on Navagio Beach in Zante, Greece

Where is Navagio Shipwreck Beach

Navagio Shipwreck Beach is located on the Northwest corner of Zakynthos Island. As we will soon see, you can’t directly access the beach via land, but you can go to its famous viewpoint by driving to this spot .

It’s a 50-minute drive from the south of the island, where most of the tourist towns like Zakynthos Town, Laganas and Keri are located.

How to get to Navagio Shipwreck Beach

If you want to see the Zakynthos shipwreck and the stunning beach where it sits, it’s not as simple as just rocking up with your beach towel.

Due to the beach being accessible only by boat, I’ll divide this part into two sections: the first one telling you how to get to the actual Shipwreck Beach, Zante, and the second one sharing how to get to the iconic Navagio Beach Viewpoint.

How to get to Navagio Beach 

Like I said just a moment ago, there is no way to reach the actual beach via land.

This means that the only way to get to Navagio Beach in Zante is via boat, and you’re probably not going to have access to your own boat while you’re there.

So that means you’ll be taking to the high seas on a boat tour from Laganas to Shipwreck Beach (or from other parts of the island). I have listed below some of the best Shipwreck Beach tours, but will go into more detail about them in just a moment.

Zakynthos: Shipwreck Beach, Viewpoint, Blue Caves Day Tour

Navagio Shipwreck: Private Tour with Sunset Viewing Point

Porto Vromi: Cruise to Navagio, Turtle island & Keri Caves

Cruising inside the cove of Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos, Greece

How to get to Shipwreck Navagio Beach viewpoint

While the beach itself is without a doubt beautiful, what most people want to see is the iconic view over it from the top of the cliffs.

After all, that shot of the shipwreck lying on the white sand, turquoise water in front of it and towering cliffs surrounding it features on everyones Europe bucket list .

How do you actually get to the Shipwreck Beach viewpoint? It’s pretty simple to drive to the viewpoint by yourself (be warned however, the road leading up to it is narrow and winding!). Simply drive to this Google Maps location .

There’s free parking area here, which is super handy, plus there’s also a food truck close to the free viewing deck, with some tables and seats in the shade.

The free viewing platform is pretty cool! It protrudes out of the cliff itself, allowing for unobstructed views of the Shipwreck Cove down below, even though the cliffs partly block the wreck itself …

Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zante, Greece

How to see that iconic Shipwreck Beach view

Let’s expand a bit on Shipwreck Beach Viewpoint, as it deserves a little more detail.

The “official” viewing deck that I linked above consists of a metal platform with railings, which sticks out from the cliffs. It’s the safest way to get a fairly decent view of Shipwreck Beach.

But to be honest with you, this view isn’t the best or the iconic view of Shipwreck Beach that you will have seen in photos. And not only that — you have to queue in a long line for quite a while under the sun to see it, which is never fun.

The view over Navagio Shipwreck Beach from the “official” viewing deck

There is another viewpoint, an “unofficial” one. If you look to the right of the food truck you’ll see a metal fence with a sign that says “do not pass” — but there’s also a very big hole in the fence.

Through here you’ll also see a well beaten trail, as well as numerous other tourists walking through the hole and on the trail.

If you go through the railing you will have to do a short hike for 10-15 minutes, and you’ll the get the other Shipwreck Beach viewpoint.

As soon as you look back to Shipwreck Beach, you will see the breathtaking views of Navagio Beach that you always see in photos. This “unofficial” viewpoint has no railings, no viewing deck, and no safety measures of any sort in place.

As such, if you do choose to come to this viewpoint, I advise you stick to the path and to keep a safe distance from the edge, and don’t take any risks to get the “best” photo.  People have fallen from the cliffs here while taking photos.

Enjoying the view over the iconic Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos, Greece, from the “unofficial” viewpoint

Best Zakynthos shipwreck tours

Of course, the most classic way to see the Zakynthos shipwreck is by taking a tour by boat to the beach itself.

However, there are so many tours that it can be a little difficult working out which one is best. Here I’ve outlined some of the best boat tours in Zakynthos , so that you can find the best one for you.

This tour to Shipwreck Beach in Zante is a pretty comprehensive option.

Not only does it take you to the beach itself, as well as the viewpoint up above, but it will also take you to a number of different sights around the island. These include the famous Blue Caves and Bochali Hill.

The first part of the tour sees you whisked to Zakynthos Town, where you’ll head up Bochali Hill for views of the port below.

From there it’s onto the Shipwreck Beach viewpoint, where you can snap pictures of the surrounding cliffs. Then you’ll hop on the boat for a 3-hour mini cruise to Navagio Beach and then onward to the Blue Caves.

There’s also a collection of other interesting sights included on the tour, including local villages like Exo Chora with its amazing 2,000-year-old olive tree!

Check out prices & availability for your Shipwreck Beach & Blue Caves tour here , or in the calendar below!

Enjoying our private boat tour around Zakynthos, with a stop at Navagio Shipwreck Beach

Visiting Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zante, Greece, on a boat tour

So this is more of a transfer rather than a proper tour, but it’s still a good way to get from wherever you’re staying to the famous beach.

It doesn’t cover every town on the island though, covering travel from towns including Psarou, Kalamaki, Zante Town and Laganas, to Shipwreck Beach.

I’d say this is a great option if you don’t want to rent a car, but want to see the shipwreck at sunset.

From your accommodation, this transfer will take you past famous sights, with the driver on hand to explain the history of it all along the way.

They’ll take you to the top of the Shipwreck Beach viewpoint so you can see the beach in all its glory. You’ll have an hour or so to snap photos galore of a gorgeous sunset.

Check out prices & availability for your Navagio Shipwreck Sunset private tour here , or in the calendar below!

The incredibly blue water in the cove of Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos

From Porto Vromi: Shipwreck Beach Private Boat Cruise

Feel like a tour but want a bit more privacy? Then opt for a private cruise for you and whoever you’re travelling with! This private tour to Zante’s Navagio Beach offers up an adventurous day out exploring the island’s beautiful coastline.

The first stop is at Shipwreck Beach itself, where you can have a refreshing swim in the sea, before you’ll be whisked onward to Hidden Treasure Cave — another chance to float around in the crystal-clear water.  

Then you’ll head to experience marine life at White Beach, Sfogio Beach, Porto Steniti, the Blue Caves and Heart Caves. You’ll also get to see a fun rock formation at Poseidon’s Profile (the clue is in the name!).  

Click here to book your private boat tour to Shipwreck Beach in Zante , or see prices & availability in the calendar below!

Exploring the Blue Caves of Zakynthos in Greece during our boat tour

This is another private tour , ideal for couples or families who want to have fun without worrying about other people’s itineraries and schedules.

This tour is pretty good actually, as it takes you around the whole island, not only Shipwreck Beach. Your local skipper will take you to a collection of sights dotted around Zakynthos.

These include White Beach, Sfogio Beach, the Blue Caves, Keri Caves and Turtle Island, to name just a few. Of course, you’ll also head to Shipwreck Beach for a swim in the cove.

I’d recommend booking the evening schedule, as you’ll get to see a stunning sunset as part of the tour, too!

Click here to book your private Zante Island boat tour , including Shipwreck Beach, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

Cruising along the coast and cliffs of Zakynthos, Greece

From Porto Vromi: Navagio Shipwreck Beach Excursion by Boat

This Shipwreck Beach boat tour offers an awesome way to experience the natural landscapes of Zakynthos, without breaking the bank. It’s a great option for solo travelers, as it’s a bigger boat than the previous tours, with other people onboard, hence the lower price.

Setting sail from the bay of Porto Vromi, the boat makes its way to Navagio Beach where you’ll stop in the cove and have a chance to swim in the crystal clear waters.

But it’s not just Navagio Beach that you’ll be hitting up. There’s also the Blue Caves, where the boat will take you inside to marvel at the rock formations.

You’ll also head to a hidden beach, Sfogio, then onto another beautiful beach called Porto Steniti. This tour is the perfect way to enjoy some of the best beaches and coastlines in Zakynthos.

Check out prices & availability for your Shipwreck Beach boat tour in Zante here , or directly in the calendar below!

One of the bigger boats for shared group tours in Zakynthos, Greece

Admiring Navagio Shipwreck Beach from the sea

What can you do at Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos?

Until 2022, you could still actually go onto the beach. It was fun!  

You could spend a chill day there, tanning, swimming — you know, the usual beach activities. Unfortunately, today the beach is closed, and there’s not a lot to do there anymore.  

It’s the one of the most popular attractions and most famous beach of Zakynthos, but you can’t actually go on the beach. It was closed due to rock falls last year, and the increased risk of landslides.

On land, you can head to the Shipwreck Beach view point to see it all from above, and take in one of the most photographed places in Greece.

Boat tours to the beach stop nearby, and you can swim, but not for long and it’s not the same as actually hanging out on the beach.  

Still, it’s a decent day trip, especially if you join one of the tour operators that takes you also to other sights on Zakynthos.

Enjoying the beautiful water of Zakynthos on a private boat trip

Is it worth visiting Navagio Shipwreck Beach?

If you are travelling to Greece solely to see the Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos, then I would say no — it’s not worth visiting.

Nowadays there isn’t much to it, besides taking photos from the viewpoint of the rusty shipwreck on the gleaming sand.

It looks cool, it looks great in photos, but it’s not worth a trip in itself. And a reminder: it’s definitely not worth risking injury to yourself to get a photo of it!

That said, if you’re in Zakynthos anyway , and you’re wondering what to do with yourself, then of course I would say visit Shipwreck Beach. After all, it’s one of the must-see spots in Zante !

There might not be much to do, but it’s still one of the most iconic spots in Zakynthos, if not all of Greece. Plus a lot of boat tours of the island visit, so you might end up seeing Navagio Shipwreck Beach even if it wasn’t part of your itinerary!

Exploring the coastline and turquoise sea of Zakynthos, Greece, by boat

Where to stay in Zante to visit Navagio Beach

It doesn’t really matter where you stay in Zakynthos to visit Navagio Beach. The island isn’t particularly big, even if you stay in the south in Laganas or Keri you will just drive max 1 hour to reach the viewpoint.

As such, here are some of the best places to stay in Zakynthos for every budget, and in different areas around the island.

Budget: Gerovasis Apartments with Sea View – We spent five nights here and found it to be a perfect base for exploring Zante. Located in the quiet beach town of Keri, the apartment is spacious, clean, has epic views and is fairly cheap.

Click here to book your stay at Gerovasis Apartments with Sea View!

Mid-range: Joya Luxury Villas – Even though there is Luxury in the name, this beautiful villa is actually pretty affordable, while still offering a luxury service. It sleeps up to 10 people, has a private pool, and is perfectly positioned to explore the North East coast of Zante. We stayed here for the weekend and loved it.

Click here to book your stay at Joya Luxury Villas in Zante!

Luxury: Lesante Cape Resort & Villas – We had lunch here and fell in love with the venue. This 5-star hotel has beautiful little villas with private pools, amazing service, stunning views and is in a great position. Perfect to spoil yourself!

Click here to see prices & availability at Lesante Cape Resort & Villas!

The private pool at Joya Luxury Villas in Zante, Greece

Final thoughts on visiting Zakynthos Shipwreck

There you have it, the ultimate guide to visiting the famous Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zante! Have you visited this iconic beach before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

For me, Navagio Beach is just as iconic as the famous Oia sunset in Santorini . It’s one of those sights you simply have to add to your Greece bucket list.

There might not be much to actually do there, but it’s still a pretty fabulous spot, and you guys know how much I love a good viewpoint.

Like I said before, I wouldn’t travel to Greece just to see Shipwreck Beach, but if you’re already coming to Zante for a beach or island hopping trip, then it’s definitely worth visiting.

I hope you find this article useful in planning your trip to Navagio Shipwreck Beach in Zante, Greece! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

Looking for more Greece travel tips? Check out my other Greece guides!

• How many days in Santorini do you really need?
• 22 best private pool hotels in Santorini
• 21 amazing Airbnbs in Santorini
• Best boat tours in Santorini
• 6 best areas to stay in Santorini
• Fira to Oia Hike in Santorini: Everything you need to know!

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