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Arguably one of the vital serene and picturesque seashores on earth, Navagio, or Shipwreck Seashore, as it’s popularly referred to as, is without doubt one of the most lovely locations I’ve ever been to!
Situated on the northwest coast of the Greek island Zakynthos, this hidden seaside sits inside a cove surrounded by towering white limestone cliffs and overlooking turquoise-blue ocean waters. It’s right here, on the sandy seaside, the place you can see the rusted stays of an outdated shipwreck.
It’s merely a magical place and a spot the place you’ll be able to simply take Insta-worthy photos with each snap! Nonetheless, getting right here isn’t like attending to some other seaside in Greece, there are guidelines and rules that I wasn’t even conscious of earlier than we spent per week in Zakynthos.
There are some things you might need to learn about visiting the well-known Shipwreck Seashore, earlier than making the trek to this a part of the island! Let’s dig in!
The Historical past of Navagio Seashore
The identify “Shipwreck Seashore” or “Smugglers Cove,” because the seaside is usually referred to as, comes from the shipwreck that lies completely in the midst of the white sand seaside.
In line with legend, the ship, Panagiotis, was a smuggling vessel utilized by the Italian Mafia. Whereas on a cigarette smuggling run from Turkey, the ship was noticed by the Greek Navy, and in the course of the chase, it ran shallow floor, and the crew deserted her to flee the navy on October 2nd, 1980. Over time it naturally made its everlasting resting place within the cove, now referred to as Navagio Seashore, which implies “Shipwreck” in Greek.
Though it’s a nice story, many skeptics say that the boat was planted on the seaside to advertise tourism, however to us that appears much more far fetched! Different tales exist, however I suppose you’ll have to speak to a couple locals to try to get the total fact!
Is Navagio Seashore Open in 2024?
There was once two primary methods to see the seaside – by water or from the white limestone clifftops above.
Nonetheless, after a big rockfall that occurred just a few years in the past, which injured just a few vacationers, along with frequent landslides the federal government has determined to shut entry to Navagio Seashore. Sure, from Summer time 2023 onward, nobody is permitted on the well-known Shipwreck Seashore as one other rockfall or landslide may occur at any occasion. Locals advised us that though this closure is marketed as “short-term,” it’s doubtless that entry to Navagio Seashore shall be everlasting.
Though the precise seaside is now closed, it’s nonetheless potential to get pleasure from a ship tour and see Shipwreck Seashore from the ocean, although no swimming on this space is allowed. Past that, it’s at all times nonetheless potential to see the seaside from above, which is the most effective vantage level anyway. Higher but, now you gained’t have any tiny ant folks in your photographs!
Getting To The “Official” Cliff Prime Viewpoint
To get to the Shipwreck Seashore Viewpoint your self, you’ll need to drive to this car parking zone. There’s not so much on this a part of the island, and the roads are very windy and achieve numerous elevation. You’ll be able to drive a 4×4 (quad) up this highway, however make certain it’s a robust one that may make it up the hills. Indicators alongside the route point out the best way to Navagio and the close by Anafonitria Monastery, which is alongside the best way.
Upon arriving on the parking space, you can see an official viewing platform that lies proper under the place you park. The platform juts out from the cliff, with sufficient room for 2-3 folks at one time. Whereas the views are superb from right here you don’t get a full view of the seaside. Additionally, you will doubtless discover a massive crowd of individuals all lining as much as take photographs which takes away from the expertise. Once we arrived, on a mid week September day there was an extended line with about 20-30 folks ready for his or her flip to take a photograph.
To get a greater view and really Insta-worthy pics you’ll have to take a brief hike…
Greatest Place to View Navagio Seashore
As a substitute of ready your flip on the official viewpoint, ,there’s one other viewpoint close by. Take a proper on the official viewpoint, and the place you can see a fenced space with an open gate and loads of warning indicators to not go additional. That’s as a result of there are not any fences, and it’s not a maintained path. Falling close to the cliff can be a sure dying, so that you assume all threat going this fashion.
Earlier than setting off on the path I’d additionally advise having a pair of mountaineering sneakers or at the least closed toed sneakers on as the trail is tough in locations and not likely maintained. I made the error of carrying flip flops and needed to watch each step, there may be loads of sharp rocks that can minimize your ft.
After a brief 5-10 minute stroll on largely jagged rocks, you’ll come throughout spot after spot with clear views of the seaside under! Although you’ll must get a bit near the cliff to get view, however don’t get too shut!
Being afraid of sheer cliff drops I needed to sit down, and made positive to remain at the least a meter away from the cliff, however there have been lots of individuals with no worry in any respect, stepping solely inches away from the sheer cliff.
Make no mistake {that a} slip right here may imply dying, and a fall off the large cliff drop would most definitely imply dying. Please thoughts your step round this space.
If you’d like the easiest photograph, you’ll have to move out to the very finish of the peninsula right here, the place there’s a Greek flag waving. Be extraordinarily cautious whereas strolling and taking your photographs right here because it will get narrower and windier the additional you go. Once more, one mistaken step too near the sting would result in a positive dying.
Staying Protected In the course of the Cliff Hike
You will need to take measures to make sure security throughout your cliff hike. The trail is rugged and there have been just a few tragic vacationer deaths right here up to now few years.
The rock is crumbly across the edges, so it’s best to maintain your distance and by no means enterprise too near the cliff’s edge. It will possibly additionally get fairly windy up right here so ensure you have secure footing to not lose steadiness.
Getting To the Precise Seashore!
There isn’t any solution to get to Shipreck Seashore on foot. The seaside itself is locked in by the ocean and surrounded by sheer cliffs making it inconceivable to get to.
Thus, the one solution to get near the seaside is by boat. As talked about, vacationers can now not swim to the seaside or truly step foot on the seaside, resulting from security considerations. Nonetheless, you can see loads of boat firms providing to take you to into the cove and near the seaside for an inexpensive worth Nonetheless, you’ll be able to solely spend half-hour or much less right here as this can be a widespread vacationer spot and these ships have rules to abide by.
How Lengthy Ought to You Spend at Navaigo Seashore?
Most individuals normally spend solely 5 to 10 minutes looking out. Nonetheless, should you plan on mountaineering the cliff stroll it is best to ideally spend about an hour or in order the views from up listed here are unimaginable. It’s additionally about 10 minute hike (a method) to the top of the peninsula from the automotive park.
You may also discover extra as should you head again all the way down to the parking space you can see one other path main down alongside the facet of the cliff which can result in extra spots that supply totally different angles of the seaside and surrounding sea.
When is the Greatest Time to Go to?
Arguably probably the greatest instances to go to Navagio Seashore, and Greece basically, is from April to October. It’s only from April to October that the island is admittedly open to vacationers, as very like the remainder of the Greek Islands, tourism on the island shuts down throughout winter.
The perfect time of day to go to the seaside is round noon. I discovered this to be the most effective time as it’s cooler, and the daylight hitting the world at the moment causes the water to one way or the other look even bluer. The limestone cliffs additionally start to forged shadows on the water, and I received my finest photos throughout this time!
When you’re in search of an important sundown spot on Zakynthos, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with hanging out on the viewpoints ready for the solar to fulfill the horizon right here!
Visiting The Blue Caves
When you do plan on having fun with a ship cruise to see the Shipwreck Seashore up shut, I’d recommend discovering one which additionally stops on the Blue Caves to or from the seaside. Among the smaller boats can go contained in the caves in addition to enable guests to swim round their darkish blue waters.
The place & What to Eat Close by?
On the Navagio Seashore parking space, you can see just a few low-cost meals stalls providing quintessential Greek meals together with scrumptious gyros. Nonetheless, I’d suggest consuming earlier than or after your go to to Navagio Seashore, as you’ll discover a lot better meals away from the car parking zone (clearly). The one dangerous information is there will not be a whole lot of nice eating places close to the seaside – belief me – we searched!
Whereas the island itself has loads of eating places, cafes, and eateries the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from genuine Greek delicacies in scenic ocean-facing eating areas, they aren’t close to Shipwreck Seashore. If in case you have your personal automotive we extremely suggest driving the 25 minutes to Madrakia Seashore and seize lunch at Madrakia Taverna.
Different Issues to do in Zakynthos Close by
Plannign our journey to Zakynthos, we clearly had Navagio Seashore on our itinerary, however I used to be amazed at how a lot there may be to do on this massive and picturesque island. When you come right here for seven days as I did I’d recommend carving out time to hit the highlights of the island. Among the finest issues to do on Zakynthos embrace:
- Xigia Sulfur Seashore: When you’re in search of a pure repair to alleviate some rigidity, absorbing the waters right here could assist. The water is claimed to be a pure therapy for aches and ache with wealthy qualities within the water.
- Porto Limnionas Seashore: Probably the most widespread locations on Zakynthos, right here you’ll be able to spend the day dipping out and in of shimmering blue waters while absorbing the solar reflecting off beautiful inexperienced rocks surrounding the cove.
- Myzithres: These pure wonders, sculpted by millennia of seismic forces, are positioned on the island’s southwestern peninsula, lower than two kilometers from the charming village of Keri and simply 15 kilometers from Zakynthos’ primary city.
- Madrakia Taverna: Have a scrumptious seaside lunch right here earlier than enjoyable on the quiet Madrakia Seashore.
- Porto Vromi Seashore: Not removed from Navagio Seashore is that this secluded little seaside with wonderful waters for swimming.
Don’t Skip Kefalonia
I’d recommend reserving a day journey by boat to Kefalonia Island to each customer to Zakynthos. Kefalonia is barely a 1.5 hour ferry journey from Zakynthos and is considered one of my favourite out of all of the 20+ Greek Islands we have now been to! We spent 7 days on Zakynthos and 9 days on Kefalonia, and I actually want we had spent much less time on Zante and extra time on Kefalonia exploring extra seashores like Mytros Seashore and Melissani Cave.
You’ll be able to see this massive island in your boat journey to Navagio Seashore and its attract is an excessive amount of to disregard. Kefalonia is the biggest of Greece’s Ionian islands and is stunningly lovely with unique seashores, wondrous underground caves, and quaint fishing villages.
Getting To Zakynthos by Air
Zakynthos is a well-liked summer time trip vacation spot, and as such, you’ll be able to catch direct flights to the island from many European international locations. We flew on to Zakynthos from London Heathrow.
Nonetheless, the island just isn’t effectively related to different Greek Islands, so in case you are visiting the favored Greek islands like Milos and Santorini, you will have to first catch a flight to Athens after which fly to Zakynthos as there are not any direct flights from the islands.
Getting To Zakynthos by Sea
When you plan on attending to the island by sea, you’ll be able to’t do this from Athens, although the historic metropolis is a direct port to most of the different widespread Greek Islands.
To get to Zakynthos by ferry, you’ll have to first guide a bus ticket from Athens to Port Killini. The bus journey to Port Killini takes about 4.5 hours, and from there, the one-hour ferry journey will dock you in Zante. From right here, you might be in for one more quick bus journey to Zakynthos city should you don’t have a automotive.
Zakynthos can be related by way of ferry to different Ionian Islands likes Kefalonia, Lefkada, and Corfu. We extremely suggest touring to different islands within the area when you’ve got the time. We’ve spent over a month touring the Ionians and it’s our absolute favourite island group. (psst – don’t sleep on Ithaca, a tiny Greek island that many individuals skip over!).
Renting A Automotive or Reserving a Tour? What’s Higher?
Be cautious of the truth that Zakynthos is an enormous island. It’s the third largest island amongst all of the Ionian islands so attending to the Navagio Seashore from Zakynthos City is a good drive on winding roads, and takes about an hour.
You’ve gotten two choices at this level: you’ll be able to both guide a tour that can take you to Navagio Seashore and different sights on the islands, or you’ll be able to lease a automotive and drive to the seaside your self.
I’d extremely suggest the latter as whereas the excursions have been going to cease at Navagio Seashore, it’d solely be for a short while, which actually isn’t sufficient to get pleasure from this gorgeous vacation spot really.
We at all times lease a automotive after we journey Greece, and our time on Zakynthos was no exception. Renting a automotive is the far more handy and cost-efficient possibility, and should you journey within the shoulder season you will get a automotive rental for beneath €30 a day. We suggest evaluating costs on Uncover Automotive.
The Greatest Excursions to Navagio Seashore
- Shipwreck Seashore, Viewpoint, Blue Caves Day Tour: Cease at Bochali Hill, the outdated neighborhood of Zakynthos city, then to the Shipwreck Seashore Viewpoint, head to Porto Vromi, adopted by a 3 hour mini cruise to the Shipwreck Seashore and Blue Caves.
- Navagio Shipwreck Seashore & Blue Caves Tour: Head to the Navagio Viewpoint after which board a glass-bottom speedboat. Expertise the great thing about the well-known Navagio Shipwreck seaside and the enchanting Blue Caves from the water.
- From Kefalonia: Blue Cave Boat Cruise & Shipwreck Photograph Cease: If you’re in Kefalonia and simply need to day journey to Zakynthos to see Navagio Seashore, that is the tour for you.
- Porto Vromi: Navagio Shipwreck Seashore & Blue Caves by Boat: That is for the swimmers on the market! Discover the island’s most interesting blue caves, together with Sfogio and White Seashore, Porto Steniti, and Poseidon’s Profile, throughout this journey.
The place to Keep on Zakynthos
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