Navagio – The Most Famous Beach In Greece
The beach of Navagio or Shipwreck or even Zakynthos smugglers cove is the most famous of Zakynthos beaches and one of the most famous of all Greece. Navagio is located on the north-west shore of the Ionian island of Zakynthos in the Municipality of Elation. The area is defined by its sheer limestone cliffs, white sand beaches, and clear blue water, which attract thousands of tourists yearly.
Photo: dkilim
Navagio is the trademark of the island and has been photographed millions of times. This superb beach is located in the eastern part of the island, close to the Anafotiria village. It was initially called Agios Georgios but owes its new name to the shipwreck of a boat that transported illegal cigarettes, in 1983. The deep sea left the remains of the ship on this beach.
With the years passing, the sand completely surrounded the ship which looks now as if it was emerging of it. The vestiges of the ship can be seen in the middle of the large white sandy beach which has amazing turquoise and crystalline waters. Huge vertical cliffs of white rocks are surrounding the sand creating a unique and enchanting image. To reach this paradise, one has to take a little boat from the small port of Porto Vromi. Those taxi-boats are leaving every hour and the trip is about 30 minutes.
The beach is not organized at all and the thousands of visitors who arrive here to see the shipwreck and swim in a wonderful crystal clear sea, have to bring along the necessary provisions, water above all. Although access is quite difficult, hundreds of visitors arrive here every day. If you decide to swim here, be careful, as the sea is very cold in this area. Also, avoid entering the rusty shipwreck, as it might be dangerous.
Access to the beach is possible only from the sea, by tourist boats running regularly and very frequently in summer; even if the place is not their final destination, all tourist boats sailing in the northern part of Zakynthos, stop at the beach for a while. The boats depart from the port of the town of Zakynthos, from Laganas, from Aghios Nicolaos at Volimes, or from Porto-Vromi.
Sources: greeka.com, greekhotel.com
