Zakynthos Shipwreck or Navagio Bay: The beach of Navagio or Shipwreck cove is the most famous beach of Zakynthos lying on the western side of the Ionian island.
The Shipwreck is one of the most photographed landscapes in Greece. It is considered as one of the best beaches in Greece. It was initially called Agios Georgios but owes its new name to the shipwreck of a boat that transported illegal cigarettes, in 1983.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone who would argue that Navagio beach is not one of the best beaches of Greece, and that's because it is that spectacular of a place.
The shipwreck is an old coaster named "Panagiotis". Legend has it that it was a smuggling ship that capsized on the beach in 1980 while unloading its cargo of contraband cigarettes - apparently a regular activity on the isolated beach -, or while being pursued by the Hellenic Coast Guard depending on the story you read. That's how the beach has acquired the nickname "smugglers cove".
Today, the shipwreck's badly corroded shell is embedded firmly in the center of the beach and it's a popular tourist attraction.It's so perfectly placed at the center of the beach that there is a rumor that the Hellenic Ministry of Culture (overseeing tourism) planted it there.Besides, planting a boat in the middle of a beach is not exactly a quiet, simple, or cheap operation to go unnoticed, and no Greek politician would be able to resist boasting about conceiving such a plan.The boat has been there for over thirty years and the iron haul will continue to biodegrade as part of the natural recycling process. It will probably be visible for another thirty years above the sand so many more visitors will get to enjoy it.
This is a duo cache with Zakynthos Shipwreck 1 (Beach) http://coord.info/GC5VMB1 .
At this place the wreck can be seen from above. It is on the road between Anafonitria and Volimes. Its well guided with road signs.
There is nowadays a good road (earlier a goat trail) with a parking place.
On August 26th, an Italian geocacher named Elborse placed a new container in another safe spot for all of us.
It's wonderful that people can work together.
Now cachers from all over the world can continue to enjoy this unique spot, which has become world-famous.
Because the beach is strictly off-limits due to the risk of collapse, there are no longer any visitors.
This is a huge advantage when looking down from this spot. You can now take beautiful photos without the beach being overrun with tourists.