West Side. The west side is definitely the more lush side! The water is clear, aqua blue and the beaches don't typically have the sea urchins along the ocean floor like some on the east side. This is just my experience and it's possible you'll stumble across a beach with urchins (they're common in Corfu).
Does Corfu or Crete have better beaches?
It's honestly so hard to compare Crete and Corfu as both islands have so much to offer. Some of the best beaches in Greece fill Crete's gorgeous coastline. The island of Corfu on the other hand is lush and green with a rockier coast.