Amvrakikos gulf

Amvrakikos Gulf is one of the biggest wetlands in Greece, both in size and importance. A wetland of big aesthetic and ecological value. The Gulf covers an area of approximately 400 km2 and it is an enclosed sea that is consisted of many smaller wetlands. The rivers of Louros and Arachthos empty into Amvrakikos gulf, carrying great and important amounts of debris, contributing this way to the development of an extremely complicated and unique for Greece wetland ecosystem.

Amvrakikos gulf is connected to the Ionian Sea by a narrow strait, the Preveza channel. It is a wetland of great importance, not just for Greek, but for international environmental state also. One of the last healthy bottlenose dolphin populations of the Mediterranean Sea lives in the waters of Amvrakikos gulf. As stated in the “New Scientist” magazine, their population seems to be stable, approximately at 150 dolphins.

You will also see Caretta Caretta turtles in the waters of Amvrakikos gulf, while at the swamps, shaped by the rivers’ delta, hundreds of rare birds and mammals live there. 291 speciesof birds have been recorded, 75 of which are endangered or threatened.Plegadis falcinellus, Platalea leucorodia, Pelecanus crispus and Aythia nyroca are some of them. Herds of water buffalos live on the shores. Amvrakikos gulf is considered to be the third in size colony of Pelecanus crispus in Europe.

Amvrakikos gulf is a rich fishing ground, famous for the shrimps(famous gampares), for the oysters, the sardines, the small but delicious anchovy, the red mullets, the grey mullets, and the common sole and other seafood. The wetland is the best eel place in Greece. Amvrakikos gulf is one of the most important wetland of the eastern Mediterranean Sea and it is protected by Ramsar International Convention.

The guest can visit the cape of Laskara that is located at the banks of Amvrakikos, 5 km away from the city of Preveza and to see one of the last daliania that still functions at the bay. It is about a rare fishing technique, that started in the Minor Asia and it is lies on the observer’s ability and on fishermen’s movement coordination. (See Activities – Traditional fishing).

The region of Amvrakikos gulf is included in the Ramsar Conventionon wetlands of international importance, in the network of nature protection areas Natura 2000(code Amvrakikos gulf: GR2140001, Amvrakikos gulf, Delta of Louros, Araxthos: GR 2110004) and it has been characterized as site of Community importance, special protection area and wildlife refuge. In 2008 the northern part of the gulf was declared National Park.

The visitor can also be informed of the ecological paradise of Amvrakikos gulf and of many dolphins, by chartering a sailing boat from Preveza’s marinas or by joining the daily cruise around the gulf.

www.eco-cruising.gr   Venetia Gigi cruising the Ambracian gulf

www.amvrakikos.eu   Amvrakikos Wetland Management Body