Often described as the country’s first protected area, it was originally set aside as a hunting reserve and today forms part of the wider Kune-Vain-Tale reserve, which also takes in Kune Island. BirdLife International recognises it as an Important Bird Area, and almost 200 bird species have been recorded here.
The lagoons are a magnet for waterbirds: look for greater flamingos, Dalmatian pelicans, pygmy cormorants and black-winged stilts. At the entrance, the InfoKulla visitor centre offers small exhibitions, maps and trail information, and a lookout tower gives views across the water. An easy walk follows unpaved tracks through the lagoon towards the beach. Birdwatching is possible all year, but spring and autumn migration are the most rewarding seasons; bring binoculars, as the best sightings are often some distance away.
Quiet and wide open, Kune-Vain is a refreshing contrast to the busy beaches nearby.
