Navagio Beach or the Shipwreck, is an isolated sandy cove on Zakynthos island and one of the most famous and most photographed beaches in Greece. Navagio Beach is often referred to as the Shipwreck Beach or just simply “The Shipwreck” because it is home to the wreck of a ship called Panagiotis that is believed to have been a smugglers ship. The presence of alleged smugglers ship gave Navagio Beach yet another nick name – Smugglers Cove.
This small and isolated, yet strikingly beautiful sandy cove is located on the north-west shore of Zakynthos Island, near the Anafotiria village, quite opposite of island’s capital Zakynthos. The area is defined by its sheer limestone cliffs, white sand beaches, and clear blue water, which attract thousands of tourists yearly. The strip of beach is accessed only by boat, but you can see it from above if you stand on the high side of the cliffs that overlook it.
Navagio Beach was originally known as Agios Georgios. Then sometime in 1981, the Greek authorities were tipped that a freightliner in the waters around Zakynthos Island is smuggling contraband which included cigarettes, wine and women, and a chase began. Stormy weather and bad visibility resulted in the ship running aground right on Navagio Beach. The ship was abandoned and still rests buried in white sandy dunes of the beach that now bears the nickname Shipwreck.
Navagio beach in Zante, was one of our destination twice in our two week holidays in Zakynthos island! It was a wondreful place, the sandy beach, the crystal blue waters and the high cliffs with the rocks makes Shipwreck beach unique! You may go in the morning and leave in the afternoon!Just choose the boat trip that suits your needs!
ReplyDeleteI was in Greece when I was 11 with my mom who lived there for 2 years as a teen. We took a week long cruise but got off in multiple places for a week and reboarded the ship when it came around again! Something people can't do now... We explored Crete Island for a week, and the beaches at the west end, with huge rocks and cliffs, were exactly like the one above! The "hot" place then was Mykonos Island. (Spring 1978)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely destination... It tickles my travelling taste buds to just pack up and travel the Mediteranean without delay and just be adventurous! Thanks for this lovely place to be known for people many thousands of miles away...
ReplyDelete(From Roy Duffey,South Africa)
Simplicity and beauty are the icons of the lovely country Greece..Not only Zakynthos island but Glyfada, Voula, Corfu island beaches and Rhodes are all exceptional..
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