Shipwreck Beach

Located on the east side of the island near the mountain village of Anafonitria, this beach has gained immense popularity for its crystal clear waters, white sand, towering cliffs and a unique attraction – a half-submerged shipwreck that creates an awe-inspiring backdrop.

Historical accounts reveal that the area was once a very small beach with black stones known as Spirili, as noted by the German traveler E.L. Salvatos in 1901. The first notable beach was created due to landslides in the early 1920s, which extended up to the point where the shipwreck is now located. Today’s beach was formed by the last landslide that occurred after the shipwreck in 1983.

The infamous shipwreck, which remains at the beach until this day, is believed to have been carrying smuggled cigarettes when it sank in 1980 due to a mechanical failure. The ship, named “PANAGIOTIS,” had a crew of five, including three Greeks and an Italian cargo attendant who were able to disembark on a rocky shore and inform the authorities about the incident.

Despite its fascinating history, the beach remains accessible only by sea, adding to the allure of the Shipwreck Beach as a unique and mesmerizing natural attraction in Zakynthos.