Kefalonia to Zakynthos Cruise: Is Shipwreck Beach Worth It?

So, you’re thinking of catching a boat from Kefalonia over to Zakynthos to lay your eyes on the famous Shipwreck Beach? Well, it’s almost a must-do if you are hopping around the Ionian Islands! The real question is, is the trip worthwhile? A trip to that iconic cove involves ferries, coaches, other boats, and crowds; the goal here is to give you an idea of what the whole experience is like. This way, you can make a call on whether it suits you!

Why Shipwreck Beach Gets All The Love

That cove, often called Navagio Beach, didn’t always get this much attention. Back in 1980, some smugglers were sailing along with a whole bunch of contraband when, surprise, surprise, their boat ran aground right in that cove. The authorities came, chased everyone away, and the boat has basically been sitting there since. It kind of rusted and looks all cool, and then somebody snapped a photo. A real nice photo. It was stuck on every travel brochure you can possibly imagine! It’s the kind of view that makes you stop for a second! The cove is sheltered by super-high cliffs, it’s that striking shade of blue, and with that rusty wreck lying there. So, people just want to see it for themselves.

Figuring Out Your Trip: Options and What to Expect

Okay, let’s run through your choices to get to Shipwreck Beach from Kefalonia. Generally, most trips will start in Skala or maybe Argostoli. You will likely take a ferry to Zakynthos town (that’s Zante town), then transfer up north.

Option One: Organised Tours. Lots of local travel agents and tour operators in Kefalonia provide a full day tour that will take you from Kefalonia to Zakynthos and show you that beach. These guys will handle tickets and transfers, plus they’ll probably include a guide who will talk about what you’re seeing. It is, arguably, the easiest and most relaxed choice. But the tour may feel rushed because they have a packed itinerary to keep to. Some tour options only view the beach from the cliffs above and don’t actually go to the beach itself. So, if you want to walk on the sand, confirm this first!

Option Two: Make your own way. It could be a more independent adventure. First, you book a ferry to Zakynthos yourself; that is a good idea. When you arrive, you can hire a taxi or a rental car to get up to the north side of Zakynthos. Next up, you can find a local boat tour which departs for Shipwreck Beach. You might find this ends up cheaper than a tour, too, and lets you decide on your schedule, though you will have to keep to the ferry timetable for Kefalonia at the end of the day. Just keep your eye on all those connections!

On The Ferry Over: What’s It Like?

Let’s paint a picture of the ferry trip itself, that’s the easy bit! They usually operate a few crossings each day between Pessada (Kefalonia) and Zakynthos Town (Zakynthos). Inside the ferry, it is a little like being on an airplane, with seating and air-con. You can also step outside to the top deck and see the Ionian Sea pass you by. The trip typically is one to two hours.

Getting to Shipwreck Beach By Road

When you get to Zakynthos, Shipwreck Beach is, maybe, around 45 minutes away by car. The road gets fairly windy as you head north. Most tour operators include a stop at the viewpoint above the beach, up near a village called Volimes. It’s almost a narrow platform perched on the cliffs. When people get there, it gets packed for selfies! Then you will, in a way, head to one of the harbors on the north coast to get on a boat that takes you to the beach.

Hitting The Beach: Sand, Sun, and Lots Of People!

Now, I should get this straight. Shipwreck Beach is awesome. I mean, those tall cliffs do give it a feel like nowhere else. The water, honestly, really is THAT blue. So, the ship? Yeah, the ship is quite rusty but pretty interesting. So, the truth? There’s just a LOT of people. When boats arrive, they pretty much unload everyone all at once, so the sand gets crowded. If you were hoping for a quiet, tranquil dip in the sea, it will be harder than you imagined.

You get about an hour on the beach, maybe a little more. It gives you just enough time for photos, have a paddle and maybe grab an ice cream from the little boat-shop that floats around. Most boat tours will usually combine the Shipwreck Beach visit with another stop at some sea caves, such as the Blue Caves. The good side is that these are way quieter and the waters are excellent for some snorkeling. Then it’s time to head back.

A Quick Word On Safety

Ok, so here’s a piece of helpful advice about Shipwreck Beach! There are big cliffs all around you. Every so often, rocks fall down! Seriously! So don’t sit right at the base of the cliffs, especially, because you will have your eye on the lovely, clear ocean, won’t you? If you listen, you may actually hear the rocks fall sometimes. The locals tape off sections if it seems sketchy. So, in general, the whole day is very safe; just use common sense!

So, Is It Worth It?

So, the big question! Should you head from Kefalonia over to Shipwreck Beach for the day? My personal point of view is that yes, it should be, pretty much! Yeah, it will take a long day with travel time. Yes, it gets crowded. But seeing Shipwreck Beach with your own eyes really is something! Pick your tour wisely; don’t forget that you might like the more independent option. I mean, just do it.

Here are the main things to remember from all of the above:

• Book ahead: Ferry tickets in peak times, especially, could sell out
• Consider the sea caves: Some boat trips combine Shipwreck Beach with the local sea caves; that’s nice!
• Go early or late: It is typically less busy during morning or afternoon trips.
• Don’t sit under the cliffs! Please remember, the cliffs could be dangerous; rocks do fall!

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