Greece has imposed a complete ban on access to Navagio Beach — the famous Shipwreck cove on the island of Zakynthos — and its surrounding waters for the entire 2026 tourist season, under a Joint Ministerial Decision published in the Government Gazette and effective until October 31.
Visitors may only view the site from a cliff-edge observation platform, once required protective fencing is in place.
The decision prohibits entry to both the beach itself and a broader controlled access zone. All vessels are banned from approaching or anchoring within 50 metres of the shoreline, and swimming is prohibited across the entire marine area of the cove.
The Municipality of Zakynthos is responsible for enforcement, with Hellenic Police empowered to impose administrative penalties on top of any civil or criminal liability.
A limited exception exists for emergency and rescue operations, when access to a designated area near the wreck of the vessel Panagiotis may be permitted.
The government has left open the possibility of designating safe maritime zones for limited vessel access in future, subject to Port Authority approval and a revised assessment by Greece's earthquake and civil protection authority.
The restrictions follow a series of incidents at Navagio this season, including the rescue of an American tourist who fell from the clifftop last week, and reflect growing official concern about visitor safety at one of Greece's most photographed and heavily visited natural landmarks.