Greece · Ionian Islands

Korission Lagoon

Directions

Λιμνοθάλασσα Κορισσίων

Korission Lagoon is a coastal lagoon in the south of the island of Corfu, near the village of Agios Mattheos. Chalikouna Beach separates it from the sea, and it drains through a channel that cuts across the beach. Sand dunes closed off the lake's basin from the sea in the distant past. The lagoon and its surroundings are protected under Natura 2000, which covers an unusual forest of Phoenician juniper, sand dunes, reed beds, tamarisk groves, white water lilies and many orchids, and many kinds of birds have been recorded there.

Nature

Dunes over 15 m high back the lagoon, about 5 km long. Almost 130 bird species have been recorded, and over 2,000 birds can shelter here at some times, since it is a stopover on the flyway between Africa and Europe. Black-winged stilts, Kentish plovers and little egrets are regular, and flamingos, wigeon and great egrets visit, along with bee-eaters and woodchat shrikes on the drier ground. Sand lilies and orchids grow among the dunes, and the Corfu dwarf goby, a tiny fish, lives only here and in nearby springs.

Gallery

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Photo: Xopolino · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Visit

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

The lagoon lies near the village of Agios Mattheos, with parking on both sides and an easy circular path around its southern part, open and without shade. You can walk or cycle. The eastern shore is the best viewpoint, and there is no hide, so a telescope is useful. There are birds all year, with spring and autumn migration the best times. It is a Natura 2000 site, so keep to the paths.

A channel across Halikounas beach links the lagoon with the sea. The beach is 3 km long and busy in season, though its far ends are usually quieter, and its winds suit windsurfers. Issos beach is about 4 km away.