Zakynthos Authorities Allow Access to Famed Navagio Beach

Zakynthos authorities have gone ahead and given the green light to access via boat the world famous Navagio Beach, which had been cordoned off earlier this year after a rockfall injured several visitors.

The banned (red) and accessible zones (yellow – green) of the Navagio beach. Source: University of Athens

The Zakynthos port authority together with municipal and regional officials, and tourist boat professionals met last month to discuss the terms of boat approach, mooring and swimming in the area, which is now allowed in specially marked areas (40 meters from the coast) and under certain conditions.

Zakynthos Harbor Master Athanasios Sioutis posted the decision and terms of approach, anchoring and swimming on the ministry’s Diavgeia site after which it will be published in the Government Gazette.

In relevant news, it should be noted that the Ionian island authorities also tabled a plan last month for the creation of a theme park in the wider Navagio area, to include a series of tourist infrastructure projects set to cater to the thousands of visitors who flock to the site each year.

An impression of the Navagio theme park.

Among others the plan foresees central area theme park, restaurant and cafe, 120-seat parking space for cars, buses and special needs vehicles, rest rooms, shops, info and ticket centers, medical facilities, conference center, and shaded rest areas.

Two key elements of the Navagio theme park as laid out in the plan will be a u-shaped skywalk offering access from above and an underground museum showcased by natural light.