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

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!

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.

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

 

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Zakynthos: Shipwreck Beach, Viewpoint, Blue Caves Day Tour

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!

 

Navagio Shipwreck: Private Tour with Sunset Viewing Point

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!

 

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!

 

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

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!

 

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!

 

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.

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!

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!

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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