Miglio Marino di Punta Bianca

The water at the mouth of the Magra river in late August possesses a unique character, shaped by the region's most significant river inflow. This constant freshwater discharge creates a complex temperature and salinity gradient that swimmers must account for as they move away from the shore. While the sea typically maintains a comfortable temperature for a standard 1,852m distance, the current near the Caprione promontory can vary, requiring a steady rhythm to counter the subtle lateral pull from the coastal plain's runoff. The course leads you within sight of the rugged coastline, where dark, jagged cliffs stand as a stark reminder of the geological forces that define this stretch of the Ligurian Sea.

A path through history. As you glide through the water, you are literally swimming over a submerged cultural landscape. On the slopes of Monte Caprione, the ruins of a 1st-century BC Roman maritime villa watch over the bay. You will pass the offshore formations of Corvaccino and Muginara, where depth and clarity offer an unobstructed view of the rocky seabed. This stretch of coast was a sanctuary for mid-20th-century intellectuals like Italo Calvino and Marguerite Duras, who found a retreat from the post-war world in this quiet corner of Liguria.