Kavos and the Korission Lagoon

Kavos and the Korission Lagoon lie in the flat south of Corfu, about 45 km from Corfu Town and roughly one hour by road. The green KTEL Kerkyras bus to Kavos costs about €4.80 one way, while a taxi from the airport is around €50-65. A rental car is the better choice for combining several stops, since the lagoon and the dunes of the west coast are not on the main bus line. The trip works from May to September, when the beaches are warm and services are open.

Kavos itself is a long beach strip known mostly for its nightlife and package-holiday atmosphere, but its sandy shoreline and calm water suit a daytime swim. The more interesting nature stop is the Korission Lagoon on the south-west coast, a shallow brackish lake separated from the sea by a narrow strip of sand dunes. The area is a protected wetland where birdlife can be seen, and the long dune beaches at Issos and Halikounas are backed by sand, juniper and reeds. Lefkimmi, a quiet canal town on the way, has a small waterway lined with colourful houses and several churches, making a pleasant coffee stop.

A workable day arc starts with a morning drive south, a stop in Lefkimmi to walk along the canal, and then time at Issos or Halikounas beach before the midday heat. Lunch is easy in the beach tavernas, which serve grilled fish, salads and local wine. The afternoon can be spent at Kavos beach or back at the lagoon for birdwatching and the sunset light, before the return journey. Wind often blows on the west coast, which draws kitesurfers and windsurfers, and sea conditions there can be rougher than at Kavos. Bring shade, since the dunes offer little cover.