If you came here for "10 magical things to do at Navagio Beach", close this tab. The honest version is shorter, and it'll save you a wasted morning. The beach itself is closed. The view is open. Here's what that actually means.
The short version (so you can plan around it)
After the 5.4-magnitude earthquake between Zakynthos and Kefalonia in September 2022, a big section of the cliff at Navagio collapsed onto the sand. The Greek Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP) classified the bay as unsafe for landings, and the beach has been closed to swimmers and walkers ever since. That closure is still in force in 2026.
The cliff-top viewpoint is open. Boat tours still run, but they no longer drop people on the sand — they anchor 20 to 30 metres offshore, you photograph the shipwreck from the water, then swim somewhere safer nearby. The Greek government has greenlit a €9 million redevelopment plan, but no reopening date has been announced.
Most other Zakynthos guides online were written before 2022. They tell you to "swim to the wreck and touch it". Don't try — the boat captains will refuse to drop you, and there is a real rockfall risk.
Option 1 — The viewpoint (free, dramatic, easy)
The classic Navagio photo — ship below, turquoise water, white cliffs — is taken from the viewpoint above the bay, not from the sand. The platform sits on the north-west cliff above Anafonitria village, about a 40-minute drive from Zakynthos Town and 25 minutes from Tsilivi.
What you actually find when you arrive
- Free parking in a dirt lot at the top. There's a small kiosk for cold drinks and a couple of toilets.
- A short walk (less than 5 minutes) to the main viewing platform. There's a reinforced railing — the platform was rebuilt after a tourist incident a few years ago and now sits a respectful distance from the edge.
- A few smaller informal lookout points along the path. They're better for photos because the official platform usually has a queue.
When to go
Aim for 9 to 11am. The sun is on the cliffs and the sand, the tour boats haven't bunched up below yet, and the photo spot is reasonable. After 11am in July and August expect a 10-15 minute wait at the main platform. The viewpoint closes at sunset and there's no lighting up there — you do not want to be navigating that road back in the dark for the first time.
Option 2 — Boat tour from the water
If you want the closer angle — the wreck filling your phone screen, the cliffs towering above — you take a boat. There are three sensible departure points:
Porto Vromi (closest, fastest, most local)
A small fishing harbour on the west coast, 25 minutes' drive from the viewpoint. Boats from Porto Vromi reach Navagio in roughly 15-20 minutes. Less time on the boat means more time at the wreck. Also: smaller boats, calmer ride, fewer crowds. This is what locals usually choose.
Agios Nikolaos (combines well with Blue Caves)
The far north of the island. From here boats run out to the Blue Caves at Cape Skinari first, then south to Navagio. Total trip is around 3-4 hours. The Blue Caves part is genuinely worth it — the water inside the caves goes a colour Photoshop couldn't fake.
Zakynthos Town (longest, most touristy)
Big day-cruise boats leave from the main port. Trip is 6-8 hours total, includes lunch, multiple stops, sometimes a turtle-spotting attempt in Laganas Bay. Fine if you want a full lazy day on a boat with food included. Less local, more "cruise". You'll pay a bit more.
What you can no longer do (and what most guides still pretend you can)
- Walk on the sand at Navagio. Closed since 2022.
- Swim from the beach to the wreck. Boats won't drop you on shore.
- Touch or climb on the shipwreck. The wreck itself is rusting badly and rockfall continues to land near it.
- Stay overnight in the bay. No mooring or camping is allowed.
If a tour operator promises a beach-landing in Navagio Bay in 2026, that's a red flag. They are either out of date or hoping you don't know.
Better swimming spots nearby (the real local move)
Most boat tours include a swim stop at one of the smaller bays around the corner, because Navagio itself is now look-only. The two we'd actually choose:
- Xygia Sulphur Beach — sulphur springs bubble up under the cliff. Smells faintly of egg, but the water is famously clear and locally believed to be good for skin. Genuinely unique.
- Porto Limnionas — a deep cove on the west coast with crystal water and a tiny taverna at the top. Nothing like Navagio in shape, but if you want to swim somewhere photogenic on the same coast, this is it. More about Porto Limnionas on our beaches page.
The honest plan is viewpoint at 9am, boat from Porto Vromi at 11, swim at Xygia, lunch in a Volimes village taverna, home by mid-afternoon. That's a day.
Getting there — practical
Car
Easiest. The viewpoint road is paved the whole way, just narrow in places. From Zakynthos Town allow 50 minutes including the bend through Anafonitria. Free parking at the top. We have a list of rental options on our cars page — for one day you don't need anything fancy.
Scooter / quad
Doable, but the wind on the exposed cliff stretches is no joke. We'd skip it unless you're a confident rider.
Organised tour
Plenty go from every resort. The viewpoint-only tours are usually a few hours. The combined viewpoint + boat tours are a full day and good value if you don't have a car.
What to bring
- Water — the kiosk at the top sells some, but it's marked up.
- A light jacket or hoodie — the wind on the cliff is much cooler than the resorts.
- Swimwear and a towel if you're combining with a boat trip or a swim stop.
- Closed shoes for the viewpoint walk. Flip-flops on loose dirt and gravel, near a cliff, in wind — bad combination.
Quick answers
Can you still walk on Navagio Beach in 2026?
No. After a landslide following the 2022 earthquake, the beach has been closed to landings indefinitely. Boat tours now anchor 20-30 metres offshore so you can see and photograph the shipwreck and cliffs from the water.
Is the Navagio viewpoint open?
Yes. The cliff-top viewpoint is open and free. About a 40-minute drive from Zakynthos Town. The main platform has been reinforced and the classic shipwreck photo is taken from here.
Which boat tours still go to Navagio?
Tours from Porto Vromi (closest, fastest), Agios Nikolaos (north, combines with Blue Caves) and Zakynthos Town (longest day-cruise) all still go. They no longer land on the beach. Most combine Navagio with the Blue Caves at Cape Skinari.
What's the best time of day for Navagio?
9 to 11am for both the viewpoint and boats — best light on the cliffs, smallest crowds. Avoid 11am to 3pm in July and August unless you enjoy queuing.
Will Navagio Beach reopen?
The Greek government has approved a €9 million redevelopment plan with phased construction. No confirmed reopening date as of April 2026. For now, the realistic plan is viewpoint plus boat-from-the-water.
