Tourists have reacted with fury after they were forced to wade through neck-deep water to disembark a ferry arriving at Balos, in Crete from Kissamos.
Crete is one of a number of popular holiday resorts in Europe that is facing overtourism problems during the peak summer season.
In an attempt to limit numbers, local officials took the bizarre decision to ban the use of floating platforms for ferries.
These are used to help travellers disembark safely from ferries arriving in Crete, as well as allowing people to board.
Around 40 passengers found themselves having to wade through water carrying their luggage, after their ferry stopped a few metres from Balos beach and dropped them off.
One passenger told the Daily Mail: “Most people stayed on the ship out of fear.
“Only about 40 people disembarked and everyone came back angry and disappointed.”
Images shared on social media channels show passengers leaving the ferry from its forward ramp and entering the water.
Another video clip appears to show people boarding the ferry. They form a single file line from the beach to the ferry and pass luggage along it to the waiting vessel.
The video images have caused a political storm and have forced local authorities to do a U-turn.
Local media say a temporary platform is now expected to be installed next week.
It will provide an interim solution until floating docks and anchorages are set up in Balos.
Visitor numbers to Greece have exploded in the last four years, growing by a huge 120 percent between 2019 and 2023.
Last year, 33 million tourists visited Greece — this is more than three times the country’s population.
More tourism means a greater economic boost by propping up local business activities.
But they’ve resulted in a disproportionate strain on infrastructure, housing and environmental resources.
These are particularly pressing as Greece grapples with the aftermath of wildfires in recent years.
Tourism remains a major contributor to the country’s overall GDP, accounting for around 25-30 percent.