The Epanomi Shipwreck: Its Story, How to Get There and What to Know

At the southern tip of Epanomi there's a rusty ship that, without meaning to, became the most photographed spot in the sea around Thessaloniki. Its story comes with a twist you should know before you jump in.

A ship sent to bury a wetland

In the late 1960s, under the military dictatorship, there was a plan to fill in the Epanomi wetland and turn it into farmland. A cargo ship was carrying soil for the job. At some point the contractor abandoned it. The ship rusted and sank, according to the most common account in January 1970, on St Anthony's day. The project was never finished, and the wetland, home to hundreds of animal species and around 2,500 kinds of plants and flowers, survived. Locals say St Anthony saved it.

To be honest, sources don't agree on everything. Some give a different ship name or year. What nobody disputes is that the wreck has been sitting in the same spot for decades, and that the water around it is some of the clearest in the area.

The sand spit with two seas

The wreck lies near Cape Epanomi, which is really a long sand spit. That gives the beach “two faces”: when one side has waves, the other is usually calm. If you arrive and it's windy, don't give up. Walk over to the other side.

Getting there from Nea Michaniona

By car

It's about 20 minutes south, towards Epanomi. Put “Epanomi Shipwreck” into your maps app and follow the signs to Potamos beach. The last stretches are dirt road. Drive slowly, and if you don't like what you see, park earlier and walk. Visitors say the walk from the furthest parking spots is about half a kilometre.

By sea

Day cruises on a sailing yacht leave from Michaniona harbour for the shipwreck bay. The sail takes about an hour each way and includes swimming, snorkelling and lunch on board. We cover it in our article on boat trips.

Things to know

• Don't climb on the wreck. It's rusty with sharp metal edges. Swim around it, not on it.
• Water shoes for kids, as there may be bits of metal on the seabed near the ship.
• Water and shade. The sand spit has no trees. Bring an umbrella, a hat and plenty of water.
• Go early. The wreck has become famous and summer weekends get busy. Before 10:30 you'll have it almost to yourself.
• Respect the wetland. Don't drive onto the dunes, and take your rubbish with you. This place was saved once; let's not ruin it now.

If you'd like to pair the wreck with a more organised beach for lunch, see our guide to Potamos Epanomi.

FAQ

How far is the shipwreck from Nea Michaniona?

About 20 minutes by car, south towards Epanomi. You can also go by sea on a day cruise from Michaniona harbour.

Do I need gear to see the wreck?

A mask and snorkel are enough. The ship is half-submerged in shallow water a few metres from the shore. Don't climb on it: it's rusty and dangerous.

When did the Epanomi ship sink?

The most common account says January 1970, during the military dictatorship. Some sources give a different year and ship name.

Sources: allovergreece, Ναυάγιο Επανομής · Μηχανή του Χρόνου · CNN Greece · Manawa, κρουαζιέρα από Νέα Μηχανιώνα