Navagio beach
Navagio (or the Shipwreck Beach) is one of the most famous and most beautiful beaches not only in Zakynthos but in the whole of Greece. The picturesque bay with a rusted ship on its shore has long been the main illustration of guides on this paradise Greek island. It is this attraction that the beach owes its name to. Initially, it was named after St. George, and later it was renamed “Shipwreck”, and the coast itself is often called the Smugglers Beach.
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Beach description
Navagio is located in the northwest of Zakynthos. The hills varying in height that protect the bay and the beach from high winds add to its uniqueness. The beach is covered in soft and clean cream-colored sand. The rusty contraband ship looks especially epic as a backdrop to this idyllic landscape.
The waters here are azure because of the functioning underwater springs. They make the water blue with their minerals and limestone. The sea bottom is covered in grainy white pebbles. The descent and depth rise is smooth, but the water is colder here than on the other beaches of the island.
It's the wonderful landscapes, interesting history and distance from civilization that make Navagio one of the most attracting places of the island. Tourists come here to relax, but also to look at this natural beauty and to take many colorful photographs.
The beach is temporarily closed due to the recent events that happened in September 2018 (rock collapse at the bay). You can still book a tour, but you won't be able to get to the beach or the rocks. If you want the full experience, book a one-day sea tour around the island which includes visiting the Blue caves.
When is the best time to go?
Greece - a country with a long length from north to south, so the recommendations will vary depending on the place where you are going. The holiday season begins in May and reaches a peak in July-August: there are too many tourists, and the temperature on the southern islands reaches 40 degrees, which may still not play a role on the beach, but certainly not suitable for sightseeing. So the best time to relax in Greece is the end of spring-beginning of summer or September-October.
Video: Beach Navagio
Infrastructure
Navagio is a wild corner of primaeval nature cut from the civilization with majestic rocks. It's impossible to get there when the weather is bad.
- There is no infrastructure at all, and you can forget about umbrellas and sling chairs.
- the only place where you can hide in shadow is a rusty wreck on the beach.
- You should take everything you need from home when you go there.
- Sometimes locals come here on boats and bring wine and orange honey for sale to tourists.
- Near the scenic view point, there are a car parking lot, a few food points, and souvenir stores. The prices are considerably higher that in the island sites located closer to the civilization.
Due to high popularity of this beach and the fact that tours to it are offered almost in every corner of the island, it doesn't matter where exactly to stay. You can choose the dwelling option at any other resort of Zakinfa, and use a sea tour to come here.
During the summer season, base jumpers jump from the rock tops. This sports is really extreme, and there were tragedies as well. That is why it requires special preparation.
Weather in Navagio
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You can get to this beach only by sea, on a sightseeing or pleasure boat or yacht. This is the most popular excursion on the island, so there are plenty of offers. The cost will depend on the place of departure. The main dispatch points include:
- Agios Nikolaos (about 4 kilometers from the beach) – is in the north of the island;
- Porto Vromi is in the West
Tours are usually offered, providing 1.5 hours of stay on the coast of the bay. The ideal time to visit is from 15 to 17.00. It’s hot at this time, but there are fewer tourists, the water warms up well and has a particularly colorful turquoise hue.
By car, you can reach the village of Anafonitria (about 30 kilometers from the island's capital). In it you can visit the monastery of the same name with a miraculous icon. It will not work to get to the beach itself, but you can climb a rock and enjoy the panorama of the bay.
- The view is impressive, but you have to overcome about 200 meters up to reach this place.
- From the observation deck, only part of the bay and the beach is accessible for viewing. From the sea there is a more complete, all-encompassing view.
- It’s not worth coming to the cliff – the rocks here are not very strong, although it creates such a deceptive impression.
- Comfortable indoor shoes for visiting the observation deck is required!