Gallinara Island is that green silhouette resting on the sea that you can spot from every beach along the Bayof the Sun, from Laigueglia to Alassio. It seems just a stone’s throw away, yet it is surrounded by an aura of mystery: can you visit it? Can you land on the island? What lies hidden within its Mediterranean vegetation?

The answer is more fascinating than you might imagine. This small turtle-shaped island is a protected nature reserve, a sanctuary for seagulls and unspoiled seabeds that can only beadmired from the sea. Here is everything you need to know before planning your excursion.

Where It Is and Why It Is Unique

The island lies off the coast of Albenga, in the Province of Savona, just over one and a half kilometers from the main land, separated by a channel averaging about twelve meters in depth. Rising approximately 88 meters above sea level and with a perimeter of about one and a half kilometers, it owes its unmistakable appearance to its tortoise-like silhouette.

Since 1989, it has been a regional nature reserve: an ecosystem where researchers have recorded more than 280 plant species and which has not experienced a wildfire for over five centuries. Yellow-legged gulls nest here, especially along the high southern cliffs, while the surrounding seabed is home to Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, seadaisies, and coralliferous formations. It is a small wild world that has remained remarkably untouched.

Can You Landon Gallinara Island?

It’s the question everyone asks, and the answer is straight forward: no, you cannot land on Gallinara Island. The island is both privately owned and a protected area; top reserve its terrestrial and marine habitats, tourist landings are prohibited. In practical terms:

• You cannot go ashore or use the island’s landing point.
• You cannot visit the monastery or the internal trails.
• You can sail around the island and admire it up close.
• You can swim, snorkel, or dive in the surrounding waters.

This “restriction” is actually the island’s greatest asset: its inaccessibility has protected Gallinara from overdevelopment and mass tourism, preserving its original character and natural beauty.

How to VisitIt: Boat Excursions

The best way to experience Gallinara Island is by boat. Excursions depart from neary ports such as Alassio, Laigueglia, and Loano, and are available on request during most seasons, weather conditions permitting. The classic tour consists of a full circumnavigation of the island and can last anywhere from 45 minutes to two and a half hours, depending on the type of excursion chosen.

During the warmer months, manytours include a stop for snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, often withcequipment provided. There is more: this stretch of sea lies within the Pelagos Sanctuary, the protected marine area dedicated to cetaceans, making it quite common to combine an island tour with a whale-watching excursion.

You can find the latest available tours and activities among the local experiences and excursions offered inthe area.

If you're looking for something more intimate, some local companies also offer private excursions with a skipper and genuine sunset aperitifs on board: you set sail in the late afternoon, cruise along Gallinara Island as the light turns golden, and raise a glass in the middle of the sea. A romantic, slow-paced experience, perfect fora special evening or for anyone who wants to enjoy the island from a different perspective.

For guests of Acciuga Hotel,additional information is available at the reception desk.

Beneath the Surface: Diving and the Christ of the Abyss

If you love exploring the underwater world, Gallinara Island offers two unforgettable dive sites. The first is Punta Falconara, also known as the Christ of the Abyss dive. Resting on the seabed at a depth of around 18 metres is a bronze statue of Christ the Redeemer, standing over 2.5 metres tall and placed there in 1998. It is an easy dive, suitable even for less experienced divers.

The second site, Punta Sciusciau, is more exposed to currents and is therefore recommended for experienced divers. Here, among the rocky cliffs and underwater formations, you may encounter groupers, moray eels, octopuses, and scorpionfish. Diving activities are regulated by specific local ordinances and must be carried out through authorized diving centers in order to protect the underwater archaeological site.

History and Legend: Saint Martin, the Monastery, and the Wild Hens

Gallinara Island is much more than a natural reserve. According to legend, Saint Martin of Tours found refuge here, settling in a cave overlooking the open sea: Saint Martin’s Cave,which still bears his name today. Archaeological excavations have confirmed that the area served as a place of worship and burial as early as the 4th century. The island was also home to an ancient Benedictine monastery and a Genoese watch tower, built to monitor the sea for approaching pirates.

And what about the island’s name? The most intriguing curiosity concerns its very origin. “Gallinara” is believed to derive from the wild hens that, according to Roman historians, once inhabited the island. Although those birds have long since disappeared, the name remains as a reminder of their story.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

• When to go: From May to September for swimming and snorkeling; year-round for scenic boat tours.
• Departure points: Book your excursion from the ports of Alassio or Andora, both easily accessible by car or bus.
• Booking: Recommended, especially during the high season and for guided diving excursions.
• What to bring: Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water; for snorkeling, a mask and fins (often available for rent).
• Remember: Landing on the island is prohibited, but swimming in the surrounding waters is allowed.

Whether admired from the beach or from the deck of a boat, Gallinara Island remains one of the most captivating symbols of the Western Ligurian Riviera—a small wild paradise to be respected and admired.

Choose your stay in the Bay ofthe Sun and set out to discover the sea that surrounds it. Book your getaway today and let yourself be enchanted.

FAQ –Frequently Asked Questions

Can you land on Gallinara Island?

No. The island is privately owned and forms part of a protected nature reserve, so tourist landings are prohibited. Visitors can only sail around the island by boat and swim in the surrounding waters.

How can you visit Gallinara Island?

The island can be visited by joining a boat excursion departing from the ports of Alassio, Laigueglia, or Loano. Tours circumnavigate the island and typically last between 45 minutes and two and a half hours, with the option of a snorkeling stop during the summer months.

Where exactly is Gallinara Island located?

Gallinara Island lies off the coast of Albenga, in the Province of Savona, approximately 1.5 kilometres from the Western Ligurian Riviera shoreline. It is clearly visible from the beaches of Laigueglia and Alassio.

What can be seen on the seabed around Gallinara Island?

Divers can explore Punta Falconara, home to the submerged Christ of the Abyss statue, which has rested at a depth of 18 metres since 1998. Another popular dive site is Punta Sciusciau, known for its rich marine life, including groupers, moray eels, and octopuses.

Why is it called Gallinara Island?

The island takes its name from the wild hens that, according to Roman historians, once inhabited it in ancient times. Although these birds have long disappeared, the name has endured as areminder of the island’s history.

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