Shipwreck Beach Last Hour 2024: the symbol of Zakynthos broken in two.

Shipwreck Beach: updates!

Last updated: January 10, 2024

Another hard blow for Shipwreck Beach after a landing ban was approved in 2023. The ship Panagiotis, which ran aground back in 1980 (read the complete History of Shipwreck Beach) and became the symbol of Zakynthos Island, also thanks to the introduction of social media, broke in half after the latest storms. Warnings had been raised for quite some time, but nothing was done to preserve this important site.

What remains to be seen is the impact that all of this will have on the beach, which was formed by the very presence of the ship, and on tourism.

Where can you find the latest updates?

All updates and news about Zakynthos Island will be posted on the Facebook group Welcometozante and on our Instagram page.

January 2024

Spiaggia del Relitto 2024 - Shipwreck Beach 2024

January 2022

Last updated: May 9, 2023

The local authorities have decided to allow boats to enter Shipwreck Beach Bay while maintaining the ban on landing. It will therefore be possible to approach ships up to 40 meters from the beach, allowing visitors to take incredible photos of the deserted beach.

WATCH THE VIDEO ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr_6hwkIv2_/?hl=en

Have you already booked an excursion to Shipwreck Beach? How will the excursion change?

If you booked an excursion with Welcometozante, no problem; should the measure remain in effect through summer 2023, you will have the option to either receive a refund or still take part in the excursion to Shipwreck Beach, which will include other scenic stops in equally beautiful but less famous coves, in any case not reachable by boat. We will actually still go to Shipwreck Bay, but we will stay at the required safety distance from where you will still be able to take pictures.

How will minivan excursion to Shipwreck Beach change?

In regard to the Welcometozante minivan excursion to Shipwreck Beach (Tour by Minivan Shipwreck Beach), the swim stop at Shipwreck Beach will be replaced with another swim stop in an equally beautiful cove and the stop at the panoramic viewpoint overlooking the beach will be replaced with a stop at the Kampi panoramic viewpoint.

Past updates on Shipwreck Beach

Update: 8 April 2023

Published in the Official Gazette 2290/B/6-4-2023: provision prohibiting access to Shipwreck Bay.

Valid until 31 October 2023, this measure bans any motorized and non motorized floating device from approaching the area, and also prohibits swimming in the marine area marked by the imaginary line joining the northern and southern tips of Shipwreck Bay.

This access ban also applies to the top of the cliff and to the plateau, bordered on one side by an access road, for a distance of ten meters from the edge of the cliff.

Approaching the marine area is only allowed in case of emergency and rescue.

Update: 16 March 2023

This morning, speaking to Skai Television, Minister Vassilis Kikilias, head of the Greek Ministry of Tourism, confirmed the ban on the access to Zakynthos’ Shipwreck Beach.
“Boats and tours will be able to reach the bay, but tourists will not be allowed to disembark or swim to shore”, the Minister stated after yesterday’s meeting with the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP).

“Despite being one of the most popular attractions on the island, people safety is more important” Vassilis Kikilias told SKAI Television, commenting on the renewed access ban proposed by OASP. It was also agreed that the situation would be reassessed every six months with additional on-site inspections.

Update: June 2019

Various measures have been implemented in record time to ensure the safety of tourists, thus allowing Shipwreck Beach to reopen to the public.

Update: March 2019

Recently, Zakynthos’ port authority has implemented a ban on the area, whereby no one is allowed to access the beach, which can only be seen and photographed from the sea. The ban includes anchoring boats within the bay. These measures were adopted after a landslide hit the area in September 2018, injuring seven people, and as result of the seismic swarm (over 6,600 tremors) following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Zakynthos in October 2018. The port authority requested rigorous measures to ensure the safety of visitors and until said measures will be fully completed, no one will be allowed to set foot on the beach.

Watch the Video

A plan is in the making to divide the beach into zones and create a perimeter around the areas at risk of landslides, thus allowing visitors to enjoy a safe and risk-free space. However, the timeline is still unknown and it is very unlikely that the plan will be approved this year.
The road from Anafonitria to the panoramic viewpoint, where countless scenic pictures are taken every day, remains open: the best time to go is between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM or at sunset and the best way to get there by land is by renting a scooter or car.