Korission Lagoon
The Korission Lagoon on the west coast of Corfu is also called Lake Korission and has abundant wildlife, especially birds, and one of the best beaches on Corfu.
Korission Lagoon
Photo by Andriana Karbouni
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
The Venetians were great ones for utilising their natural resources, and in addition to covering Corfu with olive trees they also built this body of water to create a wonderful freshwater lagoon that is 5 km (3.1 miles) long and up to 1 km (0.6 miles) wide.
Today the miles of golden beach between the lagoon and the sea are a sun worshipper’s dream, protected from man's encroachment by the very existence of the lake and the nature reserve that surrounds it.
Lake or Lagoon?
The Korission Lagoon is also just as often referred to as Lake Korission. So is it a lake or a lagoon? Well, technically it is a lagoon as there is a small channel of water joining it with the Ionian Sea.
Where is the Korission Lagoon?
Map (c) Google Maps
The Creation of the Lagoon
The Venetians turned the marshland here into a lagoon by building a channel from the sea and allowing the waters to flood in. Gradually the salt water gave way to fresh water and the lagoon, 607 hectares (1,500 acres) in size, is one of the best places on the island for enjoying wildlife. This can, incidentally, include mosquitoes so take protection.
Top Tip
The best time to visit is not at the height of summer but in spring and autumn when migrating birds swell the numbers here. In winter too, many species arrive to enjoy the mild weather.
The Lagoon’s Bird Life
Among the rather more interesting wildlife are over 120 bird species that have been recorded here. You're almost certain to see egrets and herons, and the numerous wading birds include greenshanks, sandpipers, stilts, dunlin, curlew, and the graceful avocet with its gently upturned bill built for sifting through the sand and water. In winter the ducks arrive, with numerous mallards, teal, shelducks and others enjoying the abundant food supplies here.
Top Tip
'Let the wildlife come to you' is the naturalist's motto, so if you want to see some of the animals and birds that live here, find a secluded spot and stay there quietly, till something comes along.
Flora and Fauna
There are tortoises, turtles, and lizards here too, and a rich selection for the botanist. These obviously include plants who love the sandy terrain, with various species of grasses and orchids too, such as the Jersey orchid that emerges in the spring. In late summer and early autumn the white sea daffodils come into flower, providing a real delight for the eye.
Sand Dunes at the Korission Lagoon
Photo by Z Thomas
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
Best Beach on Corfu?
Many visitors, however, only have eyes for the sand and the sea. For them this is one of the best beaches on the island, because of its length and the fact that it is not built up. It can get very busy indeed at either end, but there is usually plenty of privacy to be had too if you simply keep on walking. The Korission Lagoon is truly one of Corfu's great joys.
Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides
Other Corfu Pages
The best things to do on Corfu include visiting Palaiokastritsa, a day trip to Albania, seeing the Achilleion Palace, and the museums in Corfu Town.
The Corfu Climate page describes the hours of sun, the rain, the winds, to help you plan the best time to visit this Ionian island.
Information for travellers to Greece on Corfu festivals and events including Easter, the Feast of St Spiridhon, Carnival and Name Days.
Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.
Corfu or Kerkyra is the main island in the Greek Ionian islands with Corfu Town being one of the most attractive of Greek island capitals.
Paleokastritsa is on the west coast of Corfu and is one of the most popular holiday spots. This page gives information on beaches, boat trips, weather and map.
The First Corfu Beer Festival took place in Arillas in North West Corfu and celebrated the beer of Bavaria and of Corfu, in the Ionian islands of Greece.
Corfu olives are an important part of this Greek island's economy, with an estimated 3-4 million trees producing olive oil of exceptional quality.
Donna Dailey of Greece Travel Secrets visits Albania by boat from Corfu Town, staying overnight and seeing archaeological sites with Sipa Tours.
The best beaches on Corfu, chosen by Greece Travel Secrets, include Paleokastritsa, Mirtiotissa, Sidari and Cape Asprokavos.
There are two sides to every Greek island, the tourist and the traditional, and this drive from Corfu Town through northern Corfu shows the two faces of Corfu.
Corfu Town is the capital of Corfu and of the Ionian Islands and has museums, two forts, several museums, churches, and many other attractions.
Southern Corfu has busy beach resorts like Benitses, historical buildings like the Achilleion Palace and Gardiki Castle, and wildlife at the Korision Lagoon.
Northern Corfu is the most diverse part of the island, with Corfu's highest point, Mt Pantokrator, and beach resorts like Sidari and Palaiokastritsa.
There are three islands off the northwest coast of Corfu, Erikouusa, Othoni and Mathraki, popular with day-trippers from resorts like Sidari.
Corfu writers and artists inspired by the island include both residents and visitors, like Gerald and Lawrence Durrell, Edward Lear, and Henry Miller.
The main two Corfu saints are Saint Spyridon, the patron saint of Corfu who saved the island four times from disaster, and Saint Theodora Augusta.
From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!
The Corfu Trail runs from the southernmost point of Corfu at Cape Asprokavos and winds for 220km (137 miles) to the northernmost point near Andinioti Lagoon.
Corfu’s special cuisine includes dishes like sofrito and pastitsade and the chance to try ginger beer and kumquats.
Corfu’s wildlife includes rare and colourful birds, snakes, lizards, fireflies, and insects, with plenty of places to watch the wildlife like lakes and lagoons.
Corfu’s marine life includes dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and rare Mediterranean monk seals.
The history of Corfu and cricket goes back to 1823 when the island was under British rule, which left them with a legacy of loving both cricket and ginger beer.
The Achilleion Palace is one of the most visited sights on Corfu and contains a museum and impressive gardens with wonderful views over the coast.
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