Dritti all'Isola

Emerging from the waters of the Ligurian Sea less than one nautical mile off the coast of Albenga, the island of Gallinara is instantly recognizable by its compact silhouette resembling a giant sea turtle resting on the surface. Dritti all'Isola is an open water swimming race held in the Ligurian Sea off the coast of Albenga, in western Liguria. Organized by the Comune di Albenga, the meeting draws long-distance enthusiasts and sea swimmers to test themselves across the open water facing the island. All races start and finish directly from the beach located at the end of Via Einaudi, in the Vadino district of Albenga. Competitors gather along the water's edge on race morning before charging across the surf line into the bay. The event offers three different courses measuring 1,000 meters, 2,000 meters, and 5,000 meters, catering to sprinters as well as experienced endurance swimmers.

Isola Gallinara: hermit caves, Roman wrecks and seabirds

The island of Gallinara rises from the sea. In 1989 the entire island was officially designated as a regional nature reserve to guarantee its long-term ecological preservation. Beneath the waves that separate the mainland from the reserve lies a rich archaeological repository shaped by ancient maritime traffic. In the waters of Albenga surrounding the island, marine archaeologists discovered the well-preserved wreck of a Roman cargo ship dating back to the first century BC. Exploring this sunken vessel revealed the intensity of Roman trade routes along the western Ligurian coast, where merchantmen once carried valuable goods across the Mediterranean. Above the waterline, the isolation and protected status of the island have created an ideal sanctuary for coastal wildlife to thrive without disturbance.

Gallinara hosts one of the largest breeding colonies of herring gulls in the entire Mediterranean basin, their nests clinging to the rugged cliffs and rocky ledges. Wild bird colonies give this corner of the Ligurian coast an untouched, remote atmosphere just minutes from the Riviera.

The Centa river: Genoa's medieval diversion into the bay

Back on the mainland shore, the character of the racing arena has been profoundly altered over the centuries by the mouth of the Centa river. The river enters the sea right at Albenga, carrying sediment that has progressively reshaped the outline of the coastline and the seabed of the gulf. This delta was not created entirely by natural processes, but by the strategic engineering of the Republic of Genoa, which intentionally buried the medieval port of Albenga to crush the maritime power and independence of the local city. Until the twelfth century, the natural watercourse bypassed the city entirely and flowed out into the Ligurian Sea near Ceriale. The Republic of Genoa ordered a major artificial diversion of the river channel, forcing the current to run right alongside the city walls of Albenga.

The Albenga shore: from ancient Ingauni mariners to the pebble beach

Swimmers emerging onto the shore at Vadino step out on polished stones after crossing the open waters. Exploring further along this coast reveals other prominent geographical landmarks that frame the wider gulf. Near Laigueglia, the Tontonara rock emerges as an isolated rocky protrusion. Perched on the eastern face of the headland stands the Capo Mele Lighthouse, an active beacon that has guided mariners along the western Riviera since 1856. Built by the Civil Engineers, the lighthouse features a 25-meter-high circular masonry tower fitted with a massive lantern measuring 3.82 meters in diameter, reached by climbing 74 internal steps. After sustaining severe damage during World War II, the structure was repaired between 1947 and 1948 and continues to watch over the shipping routes. From the river mouths to the protective silhouette of Gallinara, the waters of Albenga offer open water swimmers a deep immersion into Liguria's living maritime history.