Open water swimming: the sea races in Liguria not to be missed
Genoa and surroundings, Gulf of Poets, Palm Riviera, Portofino and the Tigullio
In Liguria, the open-water swimming season is long and runs from spring to autumn. Here are the most beautiful races!
There are many ways to enjoy the blue sea of Liguria. One of these is swimming. If you love to swim and put yourself to the test, whether you are a competitor, amateur or just an enthusiast, here are some dates and locations to mark on your calendar. In Liguria, the open water swimming season is long and runs between spring and autumn, and with Liguria Capital of Sport 2025 you can choose from many events, based on your distance, half or sea mile, epic challenges, locations: Portofino, Varigotti, Lerici, Bergeggi… they all offer a breathtaking spectacle!
The stages
I'm PonenteThe Caruggi Triptych
42nd Coppa Byron
Miglio Marino di Sturla
10° Blu Mile
Swim the Island
I'm Ponente
I'm Ponente
For some years now, I'm Ponente has been a successful circuit in the Ligurian open water scene and its objective is to introduce people to the discipline, to the outdoors and to our territory by highlighting the latter's unique naturalistic aspect in a period that is not purely related to summer and tourism, proposing an inclusive format with a very low environmental impact. There are three events during 2025: 8 June in Bergeggi-Spotorno and 27 and 28 September in Albisola.
The Bergeggi-Spotorno route will be held on 8 June 2025 and will see entrants compete on the following routes:
- 5 km: race course with 11 buoys of which 3 (first, second and eleventh orange) other 8 (third to eleventh yellow). The second and eleventh buoys are to be left to your left). Compulsory equipment: chrono chip, cap received at registration and buoyant light;
- Half-mile: triangle race course and compulsory equipment: chrono chip, cap received at registration and buoyant light;
- 400 kids: windward-leeward race course with compulsory use of the cap provided at registration;
- Mile: triangle race course and compulsory equipment: chrono chip, cap received at registration and buoy;
- Relay: windward-leeward race course with the possibility of MM FF or MF pairs.
https://stilelibero.fun/.
The Caruggi Triptych
The Caruggi Triptych: Genoa, Camogli and Noli
Three dates to mark on your calendar, the dates of the Trittico dei Caruggi. The Genoese crossing, will be on 17 May between Boccadasse, Priaruggia and Bagni San Nazaro. The following events will be in Camogli with the crossing of the Golfo Paradiso, on 19-20 July, a short distance from the wonderful protected area of San Fruttuoso and the beautiful Abbey on the sea, and in Noli, on 14 September, in the ancient Maritime Republic, in the typical Ligurian atmosphere for an exciting challenge. Trittico dei Caruggi
Coppa Byron
42nd Coppa Byron
A swimming challenge in the most incredible stretch of sea in the world, from Porto Venere to Lerici, in the Gulf of Poets, where, it is said, George Byron himself, the great English Romantic poet, loved to swim.
The prestigious Coppa Byron, about 8,000 metres of strokes, will be held on Sunday 27 July. It is an open-water swimming event held in the beautiful setting of the Gulf of Poets from Portovenere to Lerici. The crossing includes a route of about 8 km that crosses the Gulf from the town of Porto Venere to Lerici. The start is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the winner's arrival for 4 p.m. info sulla manifestazione
Miglio Marino di Sturla
Miglio Marino di Sturla
The 81st Miglio Marino di Sturla and the 44th Piccolo Miglio, 'the Classic' sea races, will be held on Sunday 14 September . They have been swum in fact since 1913, organised by the Sportiva Sturla along the Sturla-Quarto coastline, right next to the plaque commemorating Enrico Rossi, a well-known Genoese long-distance, amateur swimmer.
Info: https://www.sportivasturla.it
Blu Mile, Portofino
11° Blu Mile, Portofino
The Blue Mile is an amateur swimming competition open to all sea and nature lovers, amateurs and competitive swimmers of all ages. The beautiful and unique thing is that it will allow you to swim in the Protected Marine Area of Portofino, one of the most spectacular places in Italy, in total safety.
Meeting point: 5 October 9.30-11.00 a.m. at Punta Pedale beach (Santa Margherita Ligure) for registration. The route is a spectacular loop with departure and arrival from the beach at Punta Pedale, an itinerary through the beautiful backdrops of the PMA of Portofino
Info https://www.outdoorportofino.com/tour/miglio-blu/
Swim the Island, the island of Bergeggi
Swim the Island, conquering the island of Bergeggi
From 3 to 5 October 2025, Swim the island, an open water swimming event in the Protected Marine Area of Bergeggi, in the province of Savona: an extraordinary experience, capable of attracting, with each new edition, thousands of swimmers from all over Italy and abroad. Interpret it as a test of strength or a complete fusion with nature, a challenge to the stopwatch or a collective ritual. It will remain in your sporting memory among the most beautiful ever. It will be a veritable feast of 'open water': over 2,000 athletes are expected each year, thanks also to the opening of the Sentiero Blu di Bergeggi (Bergeggi Blue Trail), a reserved and protected route for swimmers and snorkellers and kayakers, one of the longest in Italy.
Info: https://www.swimtheislandbergeggi.it/
