Navagio Beach is located on the northwest coast of Zakynthos island in the Ionian Sea, west of mainland Greece. This isolated sandy cove is famous as the best-photographed beaches in Greece. Originally, Navagio Beach later became known for the shipwreck on its sand, which is the main visual landmark that made it internationally well known.
Marble cliffs and white pebbled shore at Navagio Beach make it a striking setting for sunbathing and swimming. Navagio Beach is also known as the 'Shipwreck Beach'.
Why Is It Known As Shipwreck Beach?
[caption id="attachment_45466" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
© Photo by Ghost of Kuji on Flickr[/caption]
Navagio Beach is home to the wreck of a ship on the sand. Because of this ship, Navagio beach is also known as 'Shipwreck Beach'. The area has clear blue water and a white pebbled shore.
Getting To Navagio Beach From Athens And Santorini
[caption id="attachment_45690" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
© Photo by Daniël van der Kolk on Unsplash[/caption]
If you want to go to Navagio Beach from Athens, you need to take a flight to Zakynthos Airport. You can also try a coach that will take you to Zante town terminal across the mountain range. The coach takes 5 hours. After that, you need to complete a 30-minute boat ride to the wreck. You can also hire a taxi or jeep safari.
Santorini is in the Aegean Sea, while Zakynthos is in the Ionian Sea. Flying is one way to reach Navagio Beach from Santorini. Other ways like car, bus, and ferry are also available.
Activities At Zakynthos Island
[caption id="attachment_45471" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
© Photo by Robert Michal on Flickr[/caption]
If you are planning to visit Zakynthos you can enjoy many activities:
Sunset dinner: This Greek-run restaurant gives the best view of the rugged interior of Zakynthos. The food and service are excellent.
Dive with turtles: This area is home to the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. You can hop on a boat to find turtles. You can also experience hard and soft corals, fish, and crustacean life.
Visit the Venetian Castle: This Ionian Island was occupied by British, Russian and French at one time. You can see the old ruins of the Venetian Castle.
Boat tour: You can rent a private boat and drive around the coastline yourself or hire someone to guide you. Heavy winds and waves make the boating experience more memorable.
Weather At Navagio Beach
[caption id="attachment_45464" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
© Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash[/caption]
Navagio Beach has a pleasant Mediterranean climate. You can experience clear skies from start to finish, which is best for outdoor activities during your stay.
Food Near Navagio Beach
[caption id="attachment_45688" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
© Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash[/caption]
There are places to live, eat and drink on Zakynthos island. No public transport is available, so a taxi is an option to enjoy the beauty of nearby places.
If you plan to visit Zakynthos island, there are many accommodation and food places:
Aeras Restaurant is 4.4 km away from Navagio beach.
The Old Windmill, a famous restaurant in Askos, is 7.8 km away from the beach.
Xigia Tavern is located in Zakynthos at a distance of 9.7 km from the beach.
Other places near Navagio beach include Yria Bar, Buca Lounge Bar, Porto Paradiso, and Nobelos Bio Restaurant.
Other Attractions Near Navagio Beach
[caption id="attachment_45678" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
© Photo by Dale Jeffs on Flickr[/caption]
Zante Town
This town is situated on the east coast of the island and is the capital of Zakynthos. Its major attractions were destroyed by an earthquake, but visitors can still see the main gate, outer walls, and battlements.
Byzantine Museum
This museum shows sculptures and frescoes of the 12th century. Two rooms are dedicated to paintings of the 18th century. A scale model gives an idea of how the town looked before the devastating earthquake in 1953.
Roma Mansion
One of the old buildings that survived the earthquake in 1953. The Roma family renovated it and reopened it for the public in 2007. Visitors can see furniture and books that give an idea of the living style of aristocrats.
Blue Caves
At Cape Skinari, near the northern tip of the island, there are blue caves which reflect the sky colour. You can reach these caves by boat.
Keri Caves
At a distance of 14 kilometres from Zakynthos town, there is a village called Keri on the southwest coast. Many caves are present in a row and open directly into the turquoise sea. Explore the caves and the island with a mask and scuba dive tank. Sunlight reflecting through the water makes it a wonderful location for photos and videos.
Important Tips For Travellers Visiting Navagio Beach
[caption id="attachment_45672" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
© Photo by luca veronese on Flickr[/caption]
Bring your goggles as the water is very clear and blue. Adventuring in the water is a must.
Rent a boat instead of buying tickets for tourist boats.
Neither swallow the seawater nor open your eyes underwater. The water is very salty and it burns.
At the Navagio Beach viewpoint, you can see the area surrounded by cliff faces and crystal clear water. Explore this shipwreck site and feel at peace with your loved ones. Instead of big resorts and beachside waiters, enjoy the natural beauty in this little paradise for some days.
Drop by Navagio Beach for a short getaway when you're in Athens or Santorini!
