Smugglers Cove in Zante Greece
If there's one place you should see on the island, it's Shipwreck Beach. Zante is full of surprises, and this is one of those locations that makes this island so unique. You'll probably recognise it as soon as you get there; after all, it's the most popular postcard-style image of the island. This beauty spot's got as many names as it has grains of sand.
Often known as Shipwreck Cove and occasionally referred to as Navagio Beach, Smuggler's Cove is a picture-perfect arc of beautiful sands framed by towering limestone cliffs (some of which are over 200 metres high). All against the sparkling blue waters of the Ionian Sea. It's no wonder this place is one of the most photographed spots in Zante!
Smuggler's Cove is only accessible via boat, but it's pretty easy to get to with plenty of trips running from Porto Vromi. Just a heads up, though – you might not be able to swim ashore as the beach is sometimes closed due to the risk of rockfalls from those stunning cliffs. Still worth a visit for the views alone!
The history of Shipwreck Beach, Zante
The details concerning the wreckage are shrouded in mystery and the reason as to why it ended up on this beach may never be known for certain. However, legend has it that in 1980 an alleged smuggler's ship (said to be carrying contraband cigarettes) was seen by the authorities who then raised the alarm. The Greek navy set about chasing the smugglers for hours around the coastline.
There was a massive storm that night, and the crew realised there was little chance of them escaping. In an attempt to avoid capture, they abandoned their ship and its cargo, which subsequently washed up on Navagio Beach.
With such an exciting history, it's no wonder Smuggler's Cove has become one of the island's most popular tourist attractions. That means it can get pretty busy (especially during the summer) as people come from miles around to see this real-life Zante shipwreck.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Shipwreck Cove is earlier during the day, which is why most boat trips leave Porto Vromi in the early morning. It's worth waking up with the lark to grab your place and cruise around Zante's stunning coastline in peace. Things get a little hectic around lunchtime, but if the thought of rising before midday is too much to bear on holiday, try to put off your visit until around three in the afternoon (or later). By then the crowds have thinned out a little.
Things to do nearby
Just slightly over a mile and a half from the cove lies the Monastery of Panagia Anafonitria. This is a Byzantine monument with architecture dating as far back as the mid-15th century. It's probably most famous for housing the icon of 'Our Virgin Anafonitria' and is definitely worth a visit if you have the time.
More things to do
Find more things to do in Zante: Cameo Island | Nightlife Tsilivi | Nightlife Zante | Olympia | Tsilivi Water Park | Zante Blue Caves | Zante Water Village
![See beautiful Smugglers Cove in Zante, Greece](/.imaging/default/dam/uk/holidays/destinations/thing-to-do/smugglers-cove-1.jpg/jcr:content.jpg)
Best hotels in Zante
![AluaSoul Zakynthos - Adults Only](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L0RhdGFPYmplY3RzL1RoaXJkUGFydHlQcm9wZXJ0eS9pbWcvaW1hZ2VzL2ltYWdlX2FkMzE5MzY2MDdjNTRlOGRhMjExYmMxYjVjZDIxMGUzLmpwZw.webp)
AluaSoul Zakynthos - Adults Only
Greece, Zante, Tragaki Tsilivi
426 reviews
![Letsos](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L0RhdGFPYmplY3RzL1RoaXJkUGFydHlQcm9wZXJ0eS9pbWcvaW1hZ2VzL2ltYWdlXzk4YjViM2RiNmI1MTQzNTQ5NDYwMWZlM2JhMGZmNjQ1LmFzcHhpZD0xMDU5MjUwNSZmdWxsPTE.webp)
Letsos
Greece, Zante, Alykanas
1267 reviews
![Castelli-Adults Only](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9lNWM2NTRhNTllOGI0N2NjYmI3M2FiODRhNmMyYmFkZi5qcGc.webp)
Castelli-Adults Only
Greece, Zante, Laganas
653 reviews
![Tsilivi Beach Hotel](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9jYjNkMjM5Yjg2MmM0NmE3OWI1MzdhZjIzZjMxMmFiNS5qcGc.webp)
Tsilivi Beach Hotel
Greece, Zante, Tsilivi
312 reviews
![Savvas De Mar Hotel- Adults Only](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV8yY2Y4NGE1YzIyZTE0Mzc5ODMwYjI0ODlmODlmNzFiNS5qcGc.webp)
Savvas De Mar Hotel- Adults Only
Greece, Zante, Laganas
744 reviews
![Filoxenia Hotel Tsilivi](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L0RhdGFPYmplY3RzL1RoaXJkUGFydHlQcm9wZXJ0eS9pbWcvaW1hZ2VzL2ltYWdlXzM5ODg1Njg5MTdjNzQxZTZhOGYyNjM3ZmYyZGExNjJlLmpwZw.webp)
Filoxenia Hotel Tsilivi
Greece, Zante, Tsilivi
1365 reviews
![Majestic Hotel and Spa](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV8wMzQ2ZTZiMzRiMDA0NmQ1ODlkOGUyOTdmYzI1NzYyMS5qcGc.webp)
Majestic Hotel and Spa
Greece, Zante, Laganas
778 reviews
![Alexander the Great Hotel](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV81MTU2YjMyN2FkNTk0YmM1YjMxOGM1Mzc4NTMyNDc1Yi5qcGc.webp)
Alexander the Great Hotel
Greece, Zante, Laganas
768 reviews
![Village Inn](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9tYWtpcy8yN2RmYzliMDdiNTg0NDczYmUxMjUxOTA5NjdjNjczMi5qcGc.webp)
Village Inn
Greece, Zante, Laganas
522 reviews
![Diana Palace Hotel Zakynthos](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV9hOWM1YTIyYjIzZGE0ZDU4ODQxM2FjZGVjNDBjYWNkYi5qcGc.webp)
Diana Palace Hotel Zakynthos
Greece, Zante, Argassi
2104 reviews
![Zante Atlantis](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L0RhdGFPYmplY3RzL1RoaXJkUGFydHlQcm9wZXJ0eS9pbWcvaW1hZ2VzL2ltYWdlX2Q0ZjQ4M2I1OTExYzRkZGE5MTI3Mjc0YjE0YTc0NzJjLmpwZw.webp)
Zante Atlantis
Greece, Zante, Laganas
695 reviews
![Alykanas Beach Grand Hotel by Zante Plaza](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV8wOWI4NmRjMmFkYmY0N2E2OTRhNDQzYzhiZDRmMmM0My5qcGc.webp)
Alykanas Beach Grand Hotel by Zante Plaza
Greece, Zante, Alykanas
1158 reviews
![Gerakas Belvedere Luxury Suites and Spa](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV85NmFhYWY5NGNmZDg0ZTliYTI1MzU1NjU3NjFlZjQ4Ni5qcGc.webp)
Gerakas Belvedere Luxury Suites and Spa
Greece, Zante, Vassilikos
461 reviews
![Lesante Classic Luxury Hotel & Spa](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L2ltYWdlcy9pbWFnZV81NzBiZTZjNDIwMjI0YzJmOWYxNmI1MWMyNmI2ZTlmNi5qcGc.webp)
Lesante Classic Luxury Hotel & Spa
Greece, Zante, Tragaki Tsilivi
1540 reviews
![Contessina Hotel](https://www.thomascook.com/gfx/470/335/L0RhdGFPYmplY3RzL1Byb3BlcnR5UmVmZXJlbmNlL0ltYWdlL2V4dDI5L2ltYWdlXzI4MzQ4XzI4NTk4NzZfdjEuanBn.webp)
Contessina Hotel
Greece, Zante, Tsilivi
1958 reviews