Narta Lagoon

The Lagoon of Narta (Albanian: Laguna e Nartës) is a lagoon of the Adriatic Sea on the Mediterranean Sea in the central coast of Albania. The lagoon extends north of the Bay of Vlorë on the eastern shore of the Strait of Otranto and is separated from the sea by a narrow littoral strip, consisting of an alluvialdune. It has a surface area of 41.8 km2(16.1 sq mi) with a maximal depth of 1.5 m (4.9 ft).

Lagoon of Narta

View towards the Zvërnec Island

LocationVlorë County, Albania Southern EuropeCoordinates40°32′N 19°28′ERiver sourcesVjosë RiverOcean/sea sourcesAdriatic Sea, Mediterranean SeaSurface area41.8 km2(16.1 sq miAverage depth0.7 m (2.3 ft)Max. depth1.5 m (4.9 ft)SettlementsVlorë, Orikum

It is situated within the boundaries of the Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape and has been recognised as an important Bird and Plant Area of international importance. It is formed by the constant accumulation of solid flow of the Vjosa River, which originates within the Pindus Mountains close to the border between Albania and Greece.

The lagoon is named after the village of Nartë, which is found on the lagoon's southern shores. Within the lagoon, there are two islands located, with Zvërnec Island being the largest. A wooden footbridge connects mainland to the island, where a 13th-century monastery is located. At least 34,800 wintering birds can be count on...

NARTA LAGOON

Narta Lagoon represents one of the largest lagoons in our country. It is located northwest of the city of Vlora. It has a total area of ​​about 2900 ha, about 1/3 of which is used for salt production. The lagoon is connected to the Adriatic Sea through 2 canals called Great Dajlan and Small Dajlan, through which the water dynamics are regulated, which directly affects the dynamics of the fish populations characteristic of the lagoon as mullet, eel, aterina, sea bass, kocja, etc., products which are also used by the local community, mainly by the Narta Fisheries Management Organization consisting of about 40 fishermen whose main source of income is catching and selling lagoon fish. The importance of the lagoon is also closely related to the presence of waterfowl (more than 35 species of waterfowl) who find suitable conditions for providing food, building nests and raising young. Among the most widespread species in this lagoon are: flamingos, wild ducks, cavalry,...

Amazing place for birdwatching! One one side we were taken by surprise with the sight of a beautiful Eurasian hoopoe, and one the other side, on the straight road that goes along the side of the lagoon we saw(amongst others, like a bird of prey that we couldn't identify and the Balkan wall lizard) the Kentish plover, curlew sandpiper (could be a different subspecies), Dalmatian pelicans, pied avocet, a huge amount of greater flamingo's, little egret, Eurasian stone curlew, ruddy turnstone, black winged stilt, little tern, little stint and a lot of small birds we do not know the name of. Can definitely advise if you want...