Nisos Kérkira

Corfu Island

Most people know little of the Ionian but there are few who have not heard of Corfu. The references to Corfu from Homer to the present day praise the island as a lush green paradise spinning a soothing spell over all who visit it. In an age of package holidays the Corfu magic is continuously battered by jets winging in with yet more holidaymakers -and far, far more go to Corfu than to the rest of the Ionian - so it is surprising to find there are still charming and beautiful places on the island. Corfu lies like a plump sickle off the west coast of Albania and mainland Greece. The channel between the northern end of Corfu and Albania is just one mile across - from Corfu you can see the military outpost at Butrino quite clearly. In contrast to the bare mountains of Albania, Corfu is a luxuriant green island from Mt Pandokrator in the north sloping down to the coastal plains in the south. In the centre are broken slopes cut by green valleys and grassy fields. Seeing cows grazing on the slopes of the hinterland it is sometimes difficult to believe you are in Greece.

Corfu history

One of the spin-offs of tourism is the proliferation of guides describing the history, places-to-see and things-to-do in Corfu and so rather than attempt to condense the whole history of the island from such guides I have prepared instead a brief synoptic history. This little history also describes, somewhat more loosely, the chain of events and invasions determining the character of the other islands in the Ionian.

• c.1200BC It is surmised that Homer's Skheria, the island home of the Phaeacians, was Corfu. Palaiokastrita is thought to be the site of the castle of King Alkinoos. The Phaeacians ferried Odysseus home to Ithaca, in so doing arousing the wrath of Poseidon who turned their ship to stone. The island of Gravia off Palaiokastrita is said to be this petrified ship although some say it is the island of Pondokonisi (Mouse Island) near Kanoni.
• c.734 to 434BC Corfu is colonised by the Corinthians. Corfu, itching for independence from the mother city, called on the Athenians to aid it against the Corinthians who naturally enough asked the opposing Spartans to give them a hand in quelling Corfu. Thus Corfu was indirectly the cause of the disastrous Peloponnesian War that effectively obliterated Athens and classical Greece.
• 229 BC Corfu colonised by Rome.
• 722 AD Corfu passed to the eastern Byzantine Empire.
• 1080 to 1386 After a collection of Norman and Sicilian rulers, Corfu invites the Venetians to restore order. Corfu remained under Venetian rule until 1797.
• 1460 The body of St Spiridon is brought to the island and becomes the patron saint of Corfu. Every year there are four processions on which the body of St Spiridon is brought out: Palm Sunday, Easter Saturday, the 11th of August, to commemorate the defeat of the Turks in 1716, and the first Sunday in November to commemorate the end of a plague. Every second male in Corfu seems to be called Spiros after the patron saint.
• 1431, 1537, 1716 Major assaults by the Turks on Corfu.
• 1797 Corfu taken over by the French. The French laid out a regular street plan for Corfu and began the construction of the arcaded buildings on the esplanade in Corfu town.
• 1814 Corfu occupied by the British who began many public works as well as introducing ginger beer, fruit cake and cricket.
• 1864 Corfu ceded to Greece. Today Corfu reflects many of these influences in its own special Corfiot architecture and culture. The eerie Medusa in the museum, the Venetian forts and galley port, the French architecture raising a second Rue de Rivoli far from Paris, cricket and cake on Sundays, Byzantine churches. . .yet undeniably Greek, as Lawrence Durrell will tell you:
  “A glance at the synoptic history of the place will do nothing to decrease the sense of being out of one's depth, submerged by too much data. But as time goes on, as sunny Greek mornings succeed each other, you will find everything sinking to the bottom of your mind's harbour, there to take up shapes and dispositions which are purely Greek and have no frame or reference to history anywhere else.”
  Lawrence Durrell The Greek Islands

ÓRMOS GOUVION (Gouvia)
BA 2406
Imray-Tetra G11

The large enclosed bay NW of Corfu town with Gouvia Marina at the S end.

Approach

Conspicuous Nisis Gouvion in the S approach and Ákra Kommeno and Vrakhos Foustanopidhima on the Ν are readily identified. Two large hotels on the Ν side of the entrance are conspicuous. Once up to the entrance to the bay the red and green buoys marking the channel into the bay are readily seen. Entering the bay keep to the Ν side of the entrance to avoid the extensive shallows on the S.
By night There are no major lights to guide you in, but the conical buoys marking the channel are lit Fl.G and Fl.R, range probably about one mile. The lights on the channel buoys cannot always be relied upon. The end of the marina pier is lit 2F.R(vert)3M.

VHFCh 16, 69 (24/24). Call sign Gouvia Marina. Dangers The southern half of the entrance is obstructed by a shallow mud bank. The aforementioned buoys show the channel into the bay clear of the shoal water

Mooring

Yachts should head for the marina where they will be directed to a berth. Normally you will be met at the entrance to the marina by an inflatable and guided into your berth. Data 960 berths to be expanded to 1200 berths. Visitors' berths. Max LOA 80m. Depths 2-6m. Berths Berth where directed in the marina where you will be assisted by marina staff on the quay. There are laid moorings tailed to the quay. Shelter The shelter in the marina is now much improved with the construction of new piers and is generally good. However some berths are still uncomfortable with the prevailing wind, especially those on the far west quay, and in strong N-NE winds berths here can get uncomfortable. Authorities Harbourmaster and marina staff. Entry procedures may be completed here. Charge band 2/3.
South Anchorage Can no longer be used as the new pontoons installed by the marina cover most of this area. It is prohibited to anchor in the North Bay.

Facilities

Services Water and electricity (220 and 380V) at all berths. Telephone connections. Shower and toilet blocks. Laundry. 24 hour security.
Fuel At the Ν end of the W quay. Depths are reported to be 3m.
Repairs 65-ton travel-hoist. Most yacht repairs can be arranged here including mechanical and engineering repairs, sail repairs, electrical and electronic repairs, GRP and wood repairs. The best policy is to get in touch with the base manager who will organise the necessary repairs. Chandlers in the marina and in Kondokali (Force 5 Chandlers). Nautilus Yacht Chandlers, Marina Gouvia, 49100
Corfu, GR. Tel. 26610 90343 Fax 26610 99277.
Provisions There is a supermarket within the marina and supermarkets in Kondokali.
Eating out Restaurant at the marina. Others in Kondokali.
Other PO and ATM in Kondokali. Camping Gaz in chandlers. Buses to Corfu town from Kondokali.
Taxis. Corfu International airport.
K&G Med. Marinas Management
Marina Gouvia, PO Box 60, 49083 Tzavros, Corfu
Tel. 26610 91900 Fax 22610 91829
Email: gouvia@medmarinas.com
Web: www.medmarinas.com

General

Kondokali was once a small fishing village, but that long ago before hotels and self-catering apartments were built around the coast. Now it pays host to predominantly English tourists who can find all things English here English newspapers, English breakfasts, an English pint, English Sunday lunches - but few things Greek. The marina is owned and run by Κ & G Med. Marinas Management, the group that also runs Levkas, Kalamata and Zea Marinas. The marina is the base for a large number of charter craft and also a popular spot for yachties to spend the winter. It is around 15 minutes from Corfu airport. To get into Corfu either take a bus (every half hour on the main road) or get a taxi.

NAOK YACHT CLUB 39°37'·32Ν 19°55'·65Ε

The yacht harbour on the W side of Órmos Garitsas belongs to NAOK, the Nautical Club of Corfu. There are a limited number of berths for visiting yachts in the summer.
There are 3-4m depths in the entrance and 3m depths on the outer end of the mole decreasing further into the harbour. Off the W quay and piers there are a number of shallow patches. Go stern or bows-to the mole where directed or where convenient. Yachts can also go stern-to the outside of the mole. Good shelter from the prevailing NW winds. In strong southerlies the harbour is reported to be untenable.
Showers and toilets at the clubhouse. Charge band 2. It is a short walk up to the esplanade and the centre of town.

PETRITI

Approach

Seven miles SE of Benitses and just around Ák Voukari is the bay and little fishing port of Petriti. From the Ν the hamlet will not be seen but an eroded escarpment just S of Ák Voukari is conspicuous. Once the bay is opened the harbour mole and houses will be seen. From the Ε the houses of the hamlet are easily identified. Dangers In the approach from the Ε care must be taken of the shoal water extending off the low-lying Ák Levkimmis.

Mooring

If there is room in the harbour go stern or bows-to the W quay or on the end of the mole. The harbour is often crowded with fishing boats and it may be difficult to find a berth. Alternatively anchor in the bay in 2-4m on mud, sand, and weed. Shelter Good shelter from prevailing NW wind although some swell creeps around into the anchorage.

Facilities

Water on the quay. Most provisions can be found. Tavernas around the harbour.