Navagio Seashore (aka Shipwreck Cove) is likely one of the best beaches in Greece and certain some of the picturesque stretches of sand on the planet. This was the featured picture on Journey Advisor’s dwelling web page for a very long time and it’s some of the photographed places in Greece.
While you first see it, you’ll rapidly notice why. Whether or not you peer down on it from the towering cliffs above, otherwise you take a ship journey to Navagio Seashore, you’ll seemingly have your breath taken away by the impossibly blue Ionian water, the blindingly white pebbly sand and naturally, the eerie-looking shipwreck that lies within the heart of the sand.
See Additionally: Our Ultimate Guide To Greece Travel
The place is Navagio Seashore (Shipwreck Cove)
Navagio Seashore is situated off the northern coast of Zakynthos Island (aka Zante Island). The island of Zakynthos lies within the Ionian Sea about 250 kilometres west of Athens and simply 20 kilometres from the westernmost level of the Greek (Peloponnese) mainland.
To get to Zakynthos, you possibly can both fly direct from Athens or take a ferry from Kyllini on the mainland. The ferries run 7 occasions per day between 05:30 and 22:30 and can value round €50 per individual every means relying on the time of 12 months.
Greatest Time of Day To See Navagio Seashore (Shipwreck Cove)
Typically, you’ll need to go to throughout the center of the day if you happen to don’t thoughts crowds. Within the shoulder season, you’ll must go somewhat later in order that the solar comes over the cliffs and really lightens up the sand to your pictures.
Any time between midday and three pm needs to be a superb time to go to the seashore on most days. On the viewing platform on the cliffs above, that is the perfect time to go to Shipwreck Cove, however if you happen to’re going by boat, this may even be the busiest.
The sand can get very busy, so I’d suggest visiting by boat both early morning or late afternoon and seeing the seashore from the cliffs at noon.
The Greatest Time To Go to Shipwreck Cove
The very best time of 12 months to go to Zakynthos is similar to the best time to visit Greece. Typically, Spring (March to Could) and Fall (September to early-November) are our favorite occasions to go to Zakynthos however you possibly can go to year-round. If you happen to come in the summertime, the ocean might be good and heat for swimming however there might be plenty of crowds.
If you happen to come within the winter, you will have a more durable time discovering firms to take you as some shut down within the offseason. Additionally, the ocean might be too chilly for swimming.
How To Get To Navagio Seashore
When you’re on Zante Island there are lots of methods to see Shipwreck Cove. Most individuals decide to take a tour that may be booked from actually each tour company on the island, or on-line with trusted tour reserving websites like Get Your Guide.
There are two methods to see the seashore, one is to take a ship (the seashore is simply accessible by sea) and the opposite is to view the seashore from the spectacular 200 meter-high cliffs that encompass the secluded cove.
By Boat
If you wish to truly swim within the azure waters and contact your toes to the sand, you’ll must e book a ship tour. I like to recommend trying out Get Your Guide for this in an effort to e book it upfront and be sure you get a spot.
From The Cliffs
If you wish to have that iconic picture that everybody has of Shipwreck Cove you then’re going to need to head to the highest of the limestone cliffs close to Elatia on the northwest nook of the island. There’s a viewing platform right here that may be a good spot for pictures.
To get right here, I extremely suggest renting a automobile (Click Here to see the place it’s on Google Maps). Driving right here is simple and is fantastically scenic as properly. We booked a automobile for our total keep on Zakynthos Island and I extremely suggest it. We all the time e book with Expedia (not a sponsor) and you will get vehicles for as little as $15 per day in Zakynthos.
Warning: Please notice that there have been some deaths of vacationers currently taking pictures from the excessive cliffs. While you go to the Shipwreck Cove lookout level, please don’t be silly like we had been within the above picture (we didn’t know on the time). Keep inside the gated off space.
Eating places On Navagio Seashore
There aren’t any eating places or bars on Navagio seashore which is why most individuals go to as a part of a tour.
If you happen to e book a day journey on a ship to Shipwreck Cove you then’ll normally be given lunch on the seashore as properly and a few drinks. It’s price checking with the tour operator earlier than you e book to make sure you have meals and drinks as there aren’t any eating places at Shipwreck Cove.
The Kind of Sand on Navagio Seashore
Navagio Seashore is like many different seashores in Zakynthos and in the remainder of the Ionian Sea. You’ll discover that while you view the seashore from the viewing platforms on the cliffs 200 meters above, you’d be sure that it’s white powdery sand.
However while you step off the boat and cringe barely in ache as your toes hit the seashore, you’ll rapidly notice that it’s truly tiny pebbles. It’s finest to put on water sneakers or not less than flip flops in an effort to be snug whereas strolling across the seashore and heading out for a swim.
The place To Keep Close to Navagio Seashore
Whereas Navagio Seashore is a shocking sight to behold, the lodging across the cove isn’t the perfect on the island. If you happen to’re going to be staying on Zakynthos Island for a number of days, then I’d suggest staying elsewhere and go to Navagio Seashore as a day journey as a substitute.
Among the finest locations to remain in Zakynthos embrace Zante City (the capital), Laganas (the celebration/vacationer scorching spot), Tsilivi (household secure seashore), or Psarou (a neighborhood village the place we stayed).
It doesn’t matter what you resolve when researching the place to remain in Zakynthos, I like to recommend renting a automobile in an effort to simply get to Shipwreck Cove and the opposite websites round. There are numerous things to do in Zakynthos, and by having a automobile you’ll simply be capable of discover most of them in a number of days or a week-long vacation.
Why is it Known as Shipwreck Cove?
Effectively, when you see Navagio Seashore you’ll rapidly notice why it’s referred to as Shipwreck Cove. There’s a large 157 meals Freightliner plunked within the heart of the sand that crashed on the seashore on October 2, 1980.
The ship received caught in a nasty storm and was unable to see the place it was going earlier than it ran aground upon the picturesque cove. Some rumours say that the ship was smuggling medicine (which additionally lends to the truth that the seashore has the nickname “Smugglers Cove”), however these claims had been by no means formally confirmed and the captain and crew was not convicted on any such offences.
The ship was deserted there and has been sitting on the seashore, rotting away ever since. Later, the seashore took on the title. This crash turned out to be fortunate for Greece because it’s now one of many nation’s hottest vacationer locations. Positive, folks would’ve nonetheless come for the picture-perfect sandy cove, however the shipwreck simply provides to the attract.
Journey Ideas For Shipwreck Cove
Not all excursions are created equal and there’s fairly a bit to find out about visiting the seashore as there are two methods to see it, by street and by boat. Listed here are a number of primary suggestions that will help you plan methods to see Shipwreck Cove.
By Automotive
Use Google Maps: Obtain the Google Maps App in your Android or Apple machine after which obtain the map of Zakynthos for offline use. After you have the app and the map downloaded, Click Here to view and save the situation of the viewing platform so yow will discover instructions there utilizing the app.
Be Cautious: Many vacationers have fallen to their deaths from the sketchy 200 meter excessive cliffs above Navagio Seashore. Please watch out when visiting this space as not every thing was properly signed on the time of our go to. Keep behind the gated space and much away from the sting of those cliffs.
By Boat Tour
Select a Small Boat Tour: Some boats that make this journey are monumental double-deckers so even when there aren’t any excursions on the sand while you get there, it’ll really feel crowded simply due to how many individuals are in your boat with you. Strive to decide on a smaller group tour on a smaller boat to have a extra quiet expertise.
Keep away from Mid-Day Journeys: The seashore is busiest at noon as a result of many individuals need to be there when the solar is immediately overhead to allow them to see the sand in all of its glory. The difficulty is that it may be insanely crowded at the moment. Strive to decide on journeys within the morning or late afternoon, the seashore remains to be gorgeous and there might be a fraction of individuals on the sand.
You Solely Have 1 Hour: Most boat excursions that go to Navagio Seashore solely keep on the sand for round an hour, so be sure you get a number of pictures, go for a swim, lay on the sand and simply attempt to benefit from the seashore as a lot as potential within the brief time supplied.
Convey Footwear or Flip Flops: The seashore has white pebbles, not sand, so it may well truly be somewhat bit painful in naked toes. Think about bringing some footwear if you happen to plan to stroll alongside the sand.
Convey Provides: Most tour firms aren’t going to give you sunscreen, hats, and many others. Some don’t even give you sufficient water. Be sure you have all the mandatory provides for a day on the seashore.
There are NO Amenities: Needless to say there aren’t any amenities on the seashore so if you happen to e book a tour on a ship with out a rest room, you’ll need to do any enterprise that may’t be completed within the ocean earlier than you get on the boat on the way in which to Navagio Seashore.
The Water Will get Deep Fast: If you happen to’re travelling with kids, remember that the seashore will get deep fairly rapidly.
Boats Can Be Cancelled: All boat journeys to Shipwreck Cove are climate allowing, so if it’s stormy don’t be stunned in case your journey will get cancelled. Earlier than reserving your journey to the seashore, contemplate checking the 5-day forecast and select a day that’s almost certainly to be clear and calm.
Boat journeys may also depart rapidly in the event that they see a storm coming, so don’t enterprise too far out of your boat. It’s no coincidence that there’s already a wrecked ship on this seashore, the tour operators don’t need to add to that with their very own fleet!
Take pleasure in Navagio Seashore (Shipwreck Cove)!
Navagio Seashore is likely one of the most stunning stretches of sand you’ll seemingly see in your life. I hope this submit will assist be certain that you benefit from your journey there.
Whether or not you go to by boat or from the cliffs above, ensure that to take plenty of pictures, but in addition put the digicam/smartphone down for some time to only benefit from the unbelievable view. One mistake so many individuals make is seeing Navagio from the display screen of their gadgets. Take it in, take pleasure in and watch out!
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