After 3 months in Turkey, we are back in Greece. The water and air are finally warming up, and we are making the most of our last few weeks here. We dropped the hook at Kalotaritissa Beach on the southwestern side of Amorgos Island – the easternmost of the Cyclades Islands where we explored the shipwreck of the Olympia.

In February 1980, her captain was trying to find a sheltered spot along the coast to escape strong northerly winds (reportedly reaching Force 10 on the Beaufort scale). Unfortunately, his attempt to anchor in Liveros Bay was unsuccessful, and the rough seas pushed the vessel onto the rocks. The entire crew was rescued and made it safely ashore. The ship was initially named “Inland,” a rather ironic name for a vessel that would eventually become a famous shipwreck. Local narratives suggest the ship, sailing under a Cypriot flag at the time, may have been carrying a crew of contemporary pirates en route from Cyprus to Greece.

The wreck gained significant fame as it was featured in several scenes of Luc Besson’s 1988 film, “The Big Blue” (Le Grand Bleu). The movie helped make Amorgos Island and the shipwreck known worldwide. We made our own little movie. If you like shipwrecks as much as we do, check out our custom merch below the video.

SHIPWRECK MERCH

“I Brake for Shipwrecks” tees are designed by Verena. Scroll for more designs.