Wildlife· Corfu· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Dolphins & Sea Turtles (Corfu Channel)
39° 42.0′ N · 19° 57.0′ E · approximate
Bottlenose and striped dolphins are regular in the waters around Corfu, and a pod riding the bow in the channel between the island and the mainland is one of the best surprises of a north Ionian passage; loggerhead turtles nest on the island's sandy beaches.
Practical
Coordinate approx: a representative point in the Corfu channel between Barbati and the mainland. Regularly present cetaceans include common bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and Risso's dolphins; about 40 mammal species live on and around the island; monk seals appear from time to time but no longer breed on Corfu; loggerhead turtles nest on sandy beaches (Wikipedia). The Ionian Dolphin Project (Tethys Research Institute) studies dolphins and monk seals in the eastern Ionian. Slow down, keep a steady course and let dolphins approach — do not chase or circle them; give turtles a wide berth and watch for them at the surface off sandy beaches. Mornings, before the afternoon breeze, give the flattest water for spotting.
Best for
Wildlife watching on passage
Season
Year-round; turtles nest in summer
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).