Navagio, Beach with limestone cliffs in Zakynthos, Greece
Navagio is a beach with light sand and blue water on the northwest coast of Zakynthos. Steep limestone cliffs surround the bay and rise more than 200 meters above the Ionian Sea.
The ship Panagiotis ran aground in 1980 while fleeing from Greek authorities. It was carrying cigarettes believed to be smuggled. The wreck stayed on this remote beach and gave it its current name.
The name Navagio means shipwreck in Greek and refers to the abandoned ship that lies in the sand. Visitors often come to take photos with the wreck and the white cliffs in the background.
The beach can only be reached by boat as there are no roads to it. Trips start from nearby ports and usually last three to four hours.
The ship Panagiotis has been on the sand for more than 40 years, and its rusty hull shows the wear from salt water and sun. Occasional storms move parts of the wreck to new positions while the tides shift the sand around the ship.
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