Navagio Beach and its 43-year-old shipwreck – known more popularly as #Zante or #Zakynthos on social media – one of the most popular beach coves on the Ionian Island, Zakynthos, is slowly being submerged by rising sea levels.
Also recognised as ‘Shipwreck Beach’ or ‘Smugglers' Cove’, the attraction is located on a white-sand beach that is framed by limestone cliffs. It is the most visited and photographed spot on the island.
Upon inspection, the island’s authorities fear the shipwreck might become submerged, posing a threat to the destination’s tourism revenue, reports euronews.com.
The shipwreck was previously threatened by a cliff collapse in 2018 and a landslide in 2022.
According to @zakynthos.official on Instagram and local press, a recent bout of bad weather caused pieces of the artefact to break off.
Residents and tour operators on the island have urged authorities to intervene to protect the integrity of the shipwreck, pointing out its importance for the island’s income. Some have even offered to manage and pay for its conservation, including the maintenance, security and the assignment of public zones and viewpoints.
Nikitas Aretakis, Mayor of Zakynthos, also proposed implementing a controlled entry system with an electronic payment method.
