Bay Night Swimming Sestri Levante

The descent toward Sestri Levante along the Ligurian coastline offers a dramatic introduction to the race weekend. As you wind through the tunnels and emerge to catch the first glimpse of the water reflecting the late-afternoon sun, the town’s geography reveals its peculiar evolution. The historic center rests upon a peninsula that, until the Middle Ages, was entirely separated from the mainland; it was only through centuries of alluvial deposits from the Gromolo stream and the relentless action of the tides that the current sandy isthmus was formed. This narrow link now dictates the flow of the race, separating the Baia delle Favole from the calmer, more sheltered waters of the Baia del Silenzio.

Historical currents and landmarks

Swimming here means tracing a path through layers of maritime history. Beyond the immediate bay, the coastline is dominated by the imposing silhouette of the Assêu rock, a jagged formation near Riva Trigoso crowned by a cross that serves as an essential navigational reference point for those tackling the longer distances. Looking toward the horizon, the profile of the Punta Manara promontory rises 140 meters, where the remains of a strategic watchtower and World War II military fortifications still oversee the passage of swimmers. Beneath the surface, the seabed holds more somber tales: the waters off Riva Trigoso are the final resting place of the SS Principessa Jolanda. Launched in 1907 as the largest passenger ship ever constructed in Italy, the liner proved catastrophically unstable upon entering the water, capsizing and sinking within a single hour—a reminder of the power inherent in these local depths.

Race day logistics

The Bay Night Swimming, scheduled for August 3, 2026, focuses on the Baia del Silenzio. The event features distances of 300, 1000, 2500, and 4000 meters. The 300-meter sprint utilizes an 'Australian' format, characterized by short, high-intensity loops that culminate in a night finale under the lights of the old town. For those seeking a more extensive challenge, the area is central to the regional calendar; those looking to test their endurance against the local currents often schedule their season around the 17th KILOMETRO RIVANO, which takes place just twelve days after this event, or the longer Periplo Manara held in July. The organization, Aquamanara 1968, manages the strict logistics required for safe night navigation within the bay, ensuring that the transition from day to evening swimming remains controlled despite the shifting tidal conditions common in this stretch of the Ligurian coast.