How To Get To [Stunning] Shipwreck Beach On Zakynthos

Shipwreck Beach, often listed as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world, is a must-see on the Ionian island of Zakynthos. It’s breathtaking, with its white sandy beach embraced by limestone cliffs, some soaring 650’ (200 m) above the sea, and water so incredibly blue you can’t believe it. All this made even more intriguing by a rusting old shipwreck, the MV Panagiotis, lying on its beach. This post covers Shipwreck Beach, its best viewpoints, how to get here, and what to expect when visiting.

Shipwreck Beach

It’s not just the shipwreck itself that’s intriguing, but also the story behind it. This freight liner is rumored to have been carrying contraband cigarettes and wine and was being chased by the Greek navy when it ran aground here and was abandoned in a storm.

Whether the story is true or not, this beach, which was formerly known as Agios Georgios, now has the alias “Smugglers Cove” and a new name, Navagio Beach, or Shipwreck Beach (navagio means shipwreck in Greek).

On top of all this, the remote location of Shipwreck Beach on the island also adds to its allure. And when you finally do get here, you can’t even see this glorious beach until you’re right on the precipice above it.

Why Is The Water So Blue At Shipwreck Beach?

Another unique feature of Shipwreck Beach is the fact that the water here is so incredibly blue. Bluer than water I’ve seen anywhere else. It looks radiant and luminous, such a vibrant blue next to the white beach. It’s mesmerizing. There are a couple of theories on why it’s so blue.

First, they say the sea in this area does not contain as many nutrients and particles as other bodies of water do, like plankton, mud, or plants. This means the sea is pure, only reflecting the blue of the sky. Others say it’s deep blue color comes from the sulphur that erodes from caves in the area. Or maybe it’s both.

Whatever the reason, the full effect of the brilliant beach below the remarkable cliffs, the rusting freight liner, and vibrant blue sea is mesmerizing beauty, tranquility, and awe. Something very rare for such a popular tourist sight.

How To Get To The Viewpoints Of Shipwreck Beach

Located in the northwestern part of Zakynthos, Shipwreck Beach is a bit of a distance from either Zante Town or Laganas, where most tourists stay. There is also no public transportation, so you need to either rent a car or take a tour.

From Zakynthos Town, or Zante, it’s about 22 miles (36 km). The drive, however, takes about an hour as it traverses on windy, narrow roads through small towns. The drive from Laganas, which is south of Zante Town, is also about an hour.

To self-drive, use GPS to navigate to Navagio Beach Parking. This parking lot is a bumpy, dirt lot near the viewpoint, but standard cars can park here if you maneuver carefully. The official viewpoint is a short walk from the parking area (see below).

Note that the roads to the Shipwreck Beach viewpoint are sometimes closed due to fire hazards, which means you will not be able to access the clifftop viewpoint. This can happen any time of year, but is more likely to happen during the high and dry heat of summer.

The Zakynthos Informer is a good source for updates on this, as well as other information on the island. Your hotel may also be able to provide some information, and you can look at the most recent reviews from travelers on Google maps to see what they are saying.

How To Get To The Official Viewpoint Of Shipwreck Beach

From the parking lot, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the official viewpoint. You will pass a few vendors selling souvenirs and local goods in tents between the lot and the viewpoint. Soon after this, you will probably see the line to wait for the official viewpoint of Shipwreck Beach.

The official viewpoint overlooks Shipwreck Beach just north of it. It’s a narrow walkway on the edge of the cliff with glass walls overlooking the beach area. This is the safest place to get photos from the clifftop. Unfortunately though, the viewpoint is a little limiting.

In addition to having to wait in line, the tight angle is not the best for photos. The image above shows the most beach area I was able to get in the photo. Even holding the camera as high as I could. Plus, you feel pressured to minimize your time at the front as others are waiting in line behind you.

And the line can be long. Especially during peak season and at the peak viewing hours (more on this below). To get an idea of how long the wait is, count how many people are in front of you and estimate that each person will spend 2-3 minutes taking photos.

How To Get To The Unofficial Viewpoint Of Shipwreck Beach

The unofficial viewpoint of Shipwreck Beach is a little farther north than the official viewpoint. It takes about 15-minutes to walk here from the first viewpoint. The space along the clifftop is much less limiting and the angle of the beach is much better.

You need to be very careful though, as the path to get here is very rocky and uneven. You need to be even more careful at the edge of the cliff as it’s completely exposed with no fencing!

Tragically, there have been a couple of situations where tourists accidentally fell off the cliff. You never know if a gust of wind will surprise you, you momentarily loose your balance, or the ground gives way at the edge. This viewpoint is only for brave souls and those with excellent mobility. It is definitely not a place to bring children.

As Zakynthos officials want to keep tourists safe, sometimes the path to this viewpoint is closed. Most likely for all the reasons listed above. When I was here, it was clear that the path had been closed but was torn open. I am not sure who opened it, how long it had been open, or why, but everyone was just walking through the opening.

Because of this, you cannot be certain it will be open. To get the latest on the unofficial viewpoint and to see if it is accessible, see the latest reviews in Google maps.

Memorial Bench

One thing you’ll notice right away at the unofficial viewpoint is the memorial bench on the edge of the lookout area. This bench was placed here in memory of Dennis Arvanitakis, who died in Spain (not here). His family placed it here because this was his favorite place in the world. What an amazing family he had to do this for him as I’m sure it was not easy.

The tribute on the bench says “Live The Life You Love”. A fitting tribute to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Viewpoint Cliff

You can see the cliff where the unofficial viewpoint is below. You can take photos anywhere along it, but generally the best spot is at the second peak in the center of the photo. If you zoom in, you can (barely) see the Greek flag that stands by the memorial bench and a small crowd. This is where the best photos can be taken.

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Renting A Car To Get To Shipwreck Beach

The roads to Shipwreck Beach viewpoint are narrow and windy, but not overly challenging to drive. Be aware that with the narrow roads, you need to watch for oncoming traffic as you sometimes need to move to the side of the road to let others pass (and visa versa).

It’s much less expensive to rent a car online, in advance, than to rent one after you arrive on the island. It’s almost half the cost. My suggestion is to use Discover Cars as they offer online rentals at a great price.

EU citizens and citizens of the USA do not need an International Drivers Permit (IDP). You just need a copy of your drivers license to rent a car. Verify with your rental car company in advance if you are coming from a different country and are not sure if you need one.

The minimum age to rent a car in Zakynthos is 21, with 12 months driving experience required. Drivers under the age of 25 may have an extra surcharge.

How To Get To Shipwreck Beach

To fully experience the beauty of Shipwreck Beach, most people also visit it by sea.

Taking a tour is the most common way to visit by sea, and being the most popular attraction on Zakynthos, there are many tours to choose from. You can also rent a boat and visit on your own. More on both below.

Unfortunately, the beach itself was closed in 2022 due to seismic activity and the cliffs surrounding the beach not being 100% stable.

In 2018 a large section of the cliff wall on Shipwreck Beach fell to the ground injuring several people. If you Google it, you can find the terrifying videos made by tourists on the beach that day. The tons of crashing rock even created a mini tsunami. In 2022 there was another incident when a large rock fell after an earthquake.

The beach will remain closed through 2023 and will be evaluated every 6 months going forward as officials try to find the best solution. This hurts us as much as it hurts Zakynthos, but safety must be a priority.

For now, boats can only come close to the island for a photo. They cannot go all the way to the beach and you cannot swim to the beach.

Tour To Shipwreck Beach

Taking a tour is the easiest way to see Shipwreck Beach. Most tours to Shipwreck Beach include a stop to take photos of the beach from the sea and a stop at the viewpoint above. There are many variations so make sure to carefully read the activity details before you book.

Some offer swimming near the beach, some do not. Some offer a walk to the unofficial viewpoint, some to the official one. Plus this changes as safety policies change in Zakynthos. Sometimes so fast that tours are not even updated with the latest details. Most also offer tours to the Blue Caves and other beaches along the way. You can see the full list of current options at Viator.

I recommend this one: Zakynthos : One day small group tour to Navagio Beach, Blue Caves & top view. It picks up from various hotels around the island (not just Zante Town) and provides a stop near Shipwreck Beach for photos, at the unofficial viewpoint at Shipwreck Beach, as well as some other cool stops like the Blue Caves, Makris Gialos Beach, Xigia Beach, Bochali viewpoint in Zante Town, and an option stop at Cameo Island.

Note that all tours are subject to change and beaches are subject to closures based on conditions.

Rent A Boat To Get To Shipwreck Beach

If tours are not your thing, rent a boat and go to Shipwreck Beach on your own. On Zakynthos, you do not need a license if your boat is 40hp or less. If you’ve never captained your own boat, they will give you a lesson. And if you don’t feel comfortable with that, for a little extra you can hire a skipper along with it.

Hiring a skipper is really the best way to visit Shipwreck Beach as there can be a lot of boats in the area to navigate around. Especially in high season. Plus, then you get to make your own agenda and enjoy the ride.

You can rent boats at Porto Vromi, which is just south of Shipwreck Beach. See Porto Vromi Boat Rentals for more information.

How To Get To Shipwreck Beach From Athens

The fastest way to get to Zakynthos from Athens is to fly. It’s also relatively inexpensive. The flight is about 1 hour and is usually ranges from $50 to $100.

The cheapest way to get to Zakynthos from Athens is to drive (or take a bus) from Athens to the port of Kilini. This is almost 200 miles (316 km) from Athens and takes 3 to 4 hours. From there, the ferry from Kilini to Zante Town on Zakythos takes about 1 hour and fifteen minutes. You can see more details on ferries at this link on greeka.com.

From Zante Town, you will need to rent a car or take a tour to get to Shipwreck Beach.

How To Get To Shipwreck Beach From Kefalonia

Kefalonia is just north of Zakynthos, making it relatively easy to get to Shipwreck Beach. The best way to see Shipwreck Beach from Kefalonia is by tour. Zante Cruise to Blue Caves & Shipwreck Beach Photo stop leaves Poros Port and visits Shipwreck Beach, the Blue Caves, and includes lunch in a small village.

If you want to spend more time, there is a ferry that operates between Sami, which is in the eastern end of Kefalonia, and the port of Zakynthos in Zante Town. It runs several times a week during peak season and takes about 3 hours. For times and costs, see this link at Direct Ferries.

From Zante Town, you will need to rent a car or take a tour to get to Shipwreck Beach.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Shipwreck Beach

The best time of year to visit Zakynthos is when the temperatures are warm, May through October.

July and August is the main tourist season, so will be crowded. This is also when the heat is at its peak. It’s also the best time for swimming as sea temperatures will be warmer than they are in the spring.

And as noted above, July and August is also when fire hazards may be present, so it’s possible that the roads to Shipwreck Beach may be closed.

To visit when there are fewer crowds, visit during shoulder season. Just be aware that you may need a sweater or jacket at night in May and October. It’s also possible there will be fewer tours offered when there are less people taking them.

Best Time Of Day To Visit Shipwreck Beach

As Shipwreck Beach is on the west side of the island and west of the massive cliffs that protect it, it is in the shade in the morning and later in the afternoon.

This varies by the time of year, but generally, the best time to visit for photos is after about 1 PM, when the angle of the sun reaches past the cliffs. My photos are from October around 3 PM. I like the way the partial shade adds a little visual drama to the beach.

Some people also choose sunset to visit the viewpoint of Shipwreck Beach to see the colors of the sky change as the sun sets.

Want More Of Greece?

Greece is amazing! There’s so much to see. I’ve been here 4 times and still want to see more. My favorites places and stories from my travels are noted below.

Mainland Greece

• Top 20 Things To Do In Amazing Athens | A Complete Guide
• Visiting The Clifftop Monasteries Of Meteora
• Teaching Yoga At A Refugee Camp In Serres Greece

Corfu Island

• Best Things To Do In Corfu Old Town
• Things To Do In Sidari: Must-See Canal d’ Amour and More
• Enchanting Cape Drastis, How To Get There And What To Expect
• Top Things To Do In Pretty Paleokastrista
• Top 12 Things To Do In Captivating Corfu

Crete Island

• Top Things To Do In Crete
• Balos Bay Beach And Gramvousa Island, Crete
• Day Trip To Elafonisi Island, Crete
• Hiking Samaria Gorge, Crete

Kefalonia

• Exploring Enchanting Myrtos Beach & It’s Stunning Viewpoints
• Complete Guide To Charming Fiskardo
• How To Get To Melissani Cave & What To Expect
• Colorful Assos Village, It’s Castle & Turquoise Bay
• The Enigmatic Sinkholes Of Argostoli
• Best Things To Do In Argostoli | Top Attractions & Hidden Gems
• Ultimate Guide To The Best Things To Do In Kefalonia

Ios Island

• Top 15 Things To Do On Ios Island 

Milos Island

• What To Do On The Cool Island Of Milos

Naxos Island

• Top 20 Things To Do In Naxos  

Paros Island

• 15 Fun Things To Do On Enchanting Paros 

Santorini Island

• Hiking From Fira To Oia On Santorini

Zakynthos

• Spotting Turtles in Zakynthos And Visiting Turtle Island
• Myzithres Viewpoint & Beach | Hidden Gem of Zakynthos
• Visiting Zakynthos | What To Do & Where To Stay

Other

• Philotimo, The Highest Greek Virtue
• Gorgeous Old Doors Of Greece

For an overview of all the best places in Greece, as well as how to get around, safety, tips, and more, see my Greece Travel Guide.