When speaking of the Ligurian Riviera and boat excursions along our coast, the destinations that immediately come to mind are those located east of Genoa: we immediately think of icons such as Portofino and the Cinque Terre, not to mention Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo and Sestri Levante (to which, with its Bays of Silence and Fables, we dedicated an article on our blog a few weeks ago). The eastern coast is famous for the charm of its seaside villages, for its unique colors, for being the riviera of the dolce vita, where summer always seems within reach. But the spotlight on the east should not overshadow the fact that to the west as well, and well before the equally glamorous Côte d’Azur, there are many interesting destinations for boat excursions from our Genoa marina: the Western Riviera also preserves several gems. For this reason, today we wish to propose a voyage to Bergeggi Island, to discover one of the most unique and fascinating places in Liguria.
By Boat from Genoa to Bergeggi
The Western Riviera is dotted with beautiful sandy beaches, behind which lie towns with proud and still authentic historic centers where one can find interesting local specialties. Those unfamiliar with Liguria might think that sailing east automatically means heading toward ‘distant’ destinations such as Alassio or Sanremo, but this is not the case at all: in fact, just a few miles are enough to reach landscapes and villages of great scenic and tourist interest. Bergeggi Island, at the center of this boat excursion, is in fact only 25 nautical miles from our Genoa marina; moreover, between the berth in the city center and the small island, one will encounter notable beaches and towns, such as Varazze, Celle Ligure, Albissola Marina and of course Savona, with its imposing Priamar fortress clearly visible from the sea.
Bergeggi Island
The main destination of this boat excursion from our Genoa marina is Bergeggi Island, a small limestone islet that rises just over 50 meters from the water. Given the short distance from the mainland—kayak trips to the island are in fact common—it is likely that the island and coast once formed a single landmass.
Rocky but not completely devoid of vegetation, Bergeggi Island is located within a protected marine area (with all the consequent prohibitions for navigation in designated zones and for anchoring and mooring). Even from a distance, however, it is possible to see several structures on the island, which indeed also hosts numerous historical and archaeological remains. We think of the watchtower still present on the highest part of the island but also of the remains of military and religious buildings on the summit, some of which date back to the late Roman period.
Not Only the Island: Bergeggi, Spotorno and Surroundings
The coastline also offers several attractions to complete your excursion before returning to your berth in Genoa. Consider, for example, the fascinating caves that open into the Bergeggi cliffs, particularly in the immediate vicinity of what is—not surprisingly—called Punta delle Grotte. However, this stretch of sea is also appreciated for its small sandy beaches, starting with those of Bergeggi—which offer a stunning view of the islet of the same name. A short distance away is Spotorno, famous for its coastline extending over two kilometers: here, in addition to the numerous venues, visitors can visit the castle and military towers, as well as stroll through the city center streets to find the “Meridiane di Spotorno.”