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- Corfu’s Marine Life
Corfu’s Marine Life
Corfu’s marine life includes dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and rare Mediterranean monk seals.
There is just as rich an array of wildlife living beneath the waves around Corfu as there is on land, but of course it isn't quite as easy to see! You will increase your chances if you take one of the many boat trips on offer in resorts all over the island, and if you are really lucky you may find a school of dolphins swimming along beside the boat and occasionally leaping out of the water.
Dolphins aren't common, which is why it's such a treat to see them, but they do exist and it's not a rare sight to see them in the channel inbetween Corfu and Paxos and swimming into Gouviá Bay.
Mediterranean Monk Seals
What you will almost certainly not see is a Mediterranean monk seal, ne of the world's rarest mammals, although there are some in the waters around Corfu. They are a critically endangered species, with only 300-500 thought to be left in the wild, and as they are extremely shy and sensitive to man's presence, you could probably stay on Corfu all your life and not see one.
This is a great pity as at one time they were very common throughout the Mediterranean, hence their name, and they are even mentioned in the writings of Homer and Aristotle, and were depicted on one of the first coins ever minted, in 500 BC.
Loggerhead Turtles
Loggerhead turtles also live throughout the Ionian islands, and their nesting grounds include Laganas Bay on Zákynthos and the glorious sandy beach on Corfu’s offshore island of Mathrakí. The problem for the turtle is that it does also like the same beaches of soft sand that humans enjoy.
Where we find it comfortable to lie on and lovely to look at, the female loggerhead turtle finds it the perfect spot to dig a nest and bury her eggs, which then hatch in the hot sand. If people come along and then stick beach umbrellas in the sand, the eggs can get punctured and the embryos die.
Some Cool Corfu Souvenirs
Paleokastritsa Luggage Tag
Corfu Cypresses Capri Leggings
Corfu T-shirt
Corfu Tote Bag
Eggs Hatching
When the eggs do hatch, the young turtles dig their way out of the nest and make their way quickly to the sea. If the beach is developed and has plenty of bars, the young turtles become disoriented by the lights and noise and never make it to the safety of the water. Sadly in Greece, for a long time the needs of the tourists and the desire of local people to make money from bars and beach umbrellas has taken precedence over the needs of the turtles.
It’s only comparatively recently that turtle nesting grounds have been turned into nature reserves and certain rules brought in, restricting human access and activities. A lot more remains to be done. It would be a tragedy if our desire to lie on soft sand, and to make money, meant we were no longer able to share our world with these ancient creatures.
Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides
Other Corfu Pages
A Lawrence Durrell Walk
This Lawrence Durrell walk takes you from Kaminaki Beach in northern Corfu to the White House in Kalami where the writer Lawrence Durrell lived for four year.
Where to Stay in Southern Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets’ pick of where to stay in southern Corfu including hotels in Moraïtika, Paramonas, Messonghi, Agios Georgios, and near Benitses.
Where to Stay in Northern Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets picks where to stay in northern Corfu with budget and luxury hotels in Sidari, Daphnila Bay, Kontokali, Ipsos, Barbati and more.
Where to Stay in North-West and Central Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in north-west and central Corfu including luxury mansions, inexpensive rooms, and resort hotels.
Where to Eat in Northern Corfu
This is the Greece Travel Secrets selection of where to eat in northern Corfu, from classy restaurants and traditional tavernas to beachside fish tavernas.
Where to Eat in North-West Corfu
Greece Travel Secrets has its list of favourite places where you can eat in north-west Corfu, including in Paleokastritsa, Pelekas, and Ayios Stefanos.
Visiting Albania from Corfu
Donna Dailey of Greece Travel Secrets visits Albania by boat from Corfu Town, staying overnight and seeing archaeological sites with Sipa Tours.
Two Corfu Saints
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.
The Invasion of Corfu
From Nero to Nicolas Cage, the invasion of Corfu goes back to Roman times and through to Hollywood today!
The Corfu Trail
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.
The Achilleion Palace
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.
Southern Corfu
Southern Corfu has busy beach resorts like Benitses, historical buildings like the Achilleion Palace and Gardiki Castle, and wildlife at the Korision Lagoon.
Southern Corfu Drive
This Southern Corfu drive starts and ends in Moraïtika, taking in hill villages, secluded beaches, lovely views, and a visit to Gardiki Castle.
Southern Corfu Beaches and Villages
This guide to southern Corfu’s beaches and villages includes busy resorts, quiet beach, hill villages and the southernmost tip of Corfu at Cape Asprókavos.
Sidari
Sidari is a popular holiday resort on the north coast of Corfu with beaches and unusual rock formations as well as plenty of places to eat and to stay.
Paleokastritsa, Corfu
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.
Northern Corfu
Northern Corfu is the most diverse part of the island, with Corfu's highest point, Mt Pantokrator, and beach resorts like Sidari and Palaiokastritsa.
Northern Corfu in Three Days
If you want to tour northern Corfu in three days you can see busy resorts, quiet fishing villages, Mount Pantokrator, and the Andinioti Lagoon.
Northern Corfu Drive
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.
Northern Corfu Beaches and Villages
Northern Corfu’s beaches and villages include busy resorts and secluded beaches, with several hill and mountain villages well worth visiting.
North-West Corfu Beaches and Villages
North-West Corfu’s beaches and villages include busy resorts, quiet beaches, hill villages, and places ideal for watching the sunset,
Mount Pantokrátor
Mount Pantokrator is the highest mountain on Corfu and it’s easy to drive to the top for spectacular views of Albania, Corfu, and even sometimes to Italy.
Mount Pantokrator Drive
This Mount Pantokrator drive takes you to the top of Corfu’s highest mountain with wonderful views to Albania, mainland Greece, and around Corfu.
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.
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