Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach or Smugglers’ Cove among social media users, is about to undergo an expansion. Greek authorities have unveiled plans to protect the famous shipwreck and its surroundings from further erosion.
Based on the Greek island of Zakynthos, Navagio Beach has become a tourist favourite over the past decade. Aside from its crystal-blue waters and impressive cliffs, the beach is primarily known for the wreck of the Panagiotis ship, which stranded there in 1980.
With the rise of social media, Shipwreck Beach quickly gained in popularity. The contrast between the pristine natural surroundings and the decaying ship became a well-loved photo spot for holidaymakers.
However, concerns have been arising about the future of the ship and therefore the tourism appeal of its surroundings. Aside from damages caused by visitors, bad weather and beach erosion have been taking a toll on the beach.
“It’s time for the municipality to manage this particular spot. The ship is disappearing; it’s the last chance to save what’s left. A person responsible for the boat must be found, because at the moment there is no one. If something happens, no one will be charged for the damage we will suffer, not only here in Zakynthos, but throughout the country. At least 1.5 million tourists come in the summer to see the shipwreck. Consider that they may not come because there will be no ship for them to see,’ mayor of Zakynthos, Giorgos Stasinopoulos, stated to local media outlets in 2025.
@calypsoboatrentals A magical place ✨💙📍Navagio, Zakynthos Island, Greece🇬🇷 . 🎥 @Fotis Roussis with @calypsoboatrentals . 🚤 Visit this location on our 8hr exclusive private Navagio Tour (the whole southwest coast) . 📌 Save this post for your next vacation ☀️ We are open from April – Oct 2026 👉 Follow @calypsoboatrentals for more #zakynthos #zante #greece #boatrental #boattour ♬ som original – ₊˚ ཐི⋆𝒙𝒐𝒈𝒉𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒊⋆ཋྀ ˚₊
In order to save the much-loved photo spot, local authorities have now unveiled a plan to expand the beach. A timeline has not yet been shared, but the works involve adding 45,000 cubic metres of gravel in order to expand the beach by 30 metres towards the sea. As the wreck will be located further from the water, it will be less prone to being damaged by wave action and coastal erosion. Once the expansion has been completed, authorities are planning to carry out conservation and restoration work on the Panagiotis ship to save the vessel for future generations.
“The shipwreck is not only the top tourist attraction of Zakynthos. It is a global symbol of our island, a unique natural and cultural asset that we must protect and deliver safely and upgrade for future generations. The Municipality of Zakynthos is ready to respond to this great challenge, with responsibility, determination and efficiency. We continue with a plan, cooperation and vision for a Zakynthos that successfully manages its comparative advantages and creates the conditions for sustainable development for the benefit of all citizens,” Giorgos Stasinopoulos commented on the planned extension, which will be led by the municipality in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens.
However, despite the unveiling of the expansion plans, Navagio Beach is closed to boats and swimmers at the time of writing and until 31 October 2026 at least. Since a partial cliff collapse in 2018 injured seven tourists and a temporary closure of the beach in 2022 after a 5.4-magnitude earthquake caused fears of rockfalls, Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation (OASP) has been inspecting the premises twice a year. As the organisation detected a continued risk of landslides, the beach and the bay remain closed until 31 October 2026 at least.
During the closure, tourists eager to see the popular spot can still get a glimpse of Shipwreck Beach from one of the special viewing spots located above.
