Isola di Sant'Andrea in Gallipoli: How to Get There and What to Know

Just over a mile from the Gallipoli coast, a flat rocky silhouette rises from the Ionian Sea. Isola di Sant'Andrea is one of those places you see on the horizon every day without really knowing what it holds. No beach bars, no sun loungers, no tourist paths — just a 19th-century lighthouse, a carpet of low vegetation and one of the most important seabird colonies in the Mediterranean. The island cannot be visited on foot: it is reachable only by boat, and you experience it from the water.

If you are looking for information on how to reach Isola di Sant'Andrea in Gallipoli, what to expect and how to plan your visit, this guide covers everything you need.

What is Isola di Sant'Andrea

Isola di Sant'Andrea is a flat limestone island, about 500 metres long, within the Regional Natural Park of Isola di Sant'Andrea and Punta Pizzo Coast. It is a marine protected area and landing on the island is not permitted, in order to safeguard the fragile ecosystem that makes it unique.

The undisputed star is the Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii), a rare species classified as vulnerable. The island hosts one of the last stable breeding colonies in the western Mediterranean: between April and July, hundreds of pairs nest among the low vegetation. The colony is monitored by ornithologists and represents a European-level case study.

The seabed surrounding the island is rich in posidonia meadows, which serve as a nursery for many fish species and contribute to the extraordinary water clarity.

A lighthouse built in the 19th century still stands on the island, visible from the Gallipoli coast and a reference point for sailors. Its silhouette has become an icon of the Gallipoli landscape.

How to get there: only by boat from Gallipoli

There are no scheduled ferries, no piers on the island and swimming there would be dangerous due to currents. The only way to visit Isola di Sant'Andrea is by boat, and the most convenient option is a guided excursion.

The Tour A — South Coast by Sea Tour Gallipoli includes Isola di Sant'Andrea in its itinerary. You depart from Molo Scale Nove in Gallipoli's centre, sail along the southern coast past Baia Verde, Punta della Suina and Punta Pizzo, then reach the island as the highlight of the route.

The excursion lasts about 3 hours and includes swimming stops in coves along the coast, snorkeling time and a circumnavigation of the island with the captain's commentary on its history and wildlife. On board you will find snorkeling gear and an aperitivo with local Salento products, both included in the price.

What you see from the water

Approaching the island, the first thing that strikes you is the colour of the water. You pass from the emerald green of the coast to deep blue open sea in minutes. On calm days, visibility exceeds 15 metres and you can see the seabed with impressive clarity.

Sailing around the island you observe the low limestone walls emerging from the water, the gull colonies in flight and, with a little attention, the dark shapes of posidonia meadows on the seabed. The lighthouse dominates the island's profile and becomes the perfect subject for photographs.

It is not uncommon to spot octopus, starfish, white sea bream and ornate wrasse in the surrounding waters, especially where the seabed rises and the rocks create an ideal habitat for marine life.

Sunset at the island

If the island is evocative by day, at sunset it becomes unforgettable. The sun drops directly towards the Ionian, and the lighthouse silhouette stands against a sky shifting from orange to pink.

The Sunset Tour by Sea Tour passes the island during golden hour, offering a perspective impossible to achieve from land. It is the ideal choice for those who want to combine a visit to the island with the experience of a Gallipoli sunset from the sea, prosecco in hand and no buildings blocking the horizon.

Snorkeling around the island

The waters around Isola di Sant'Andrea are among the clearest in the area, but snorkeling here requires some experience. Depth is greater than in the coastal coves — typically 5 to 10 metres even close to the island's shore — and currents can be present, particularly with northerly or southerly winds.

For those comfortable with mask and fins, the seabed is spectacular: rocks colonised by sponges and algae, schools of fish moving through posidonia meadows and, in sheltered spots, the chance to see nudibranchs and small crustaceans. Snorkeling gear is provided on every Sea Tour excursion.

For more snorkeling spots in the area, read our guide to the best snorkeling spots in Salento.

Practical tips

Best period: June to September, with ideal sea conditions in June and July. In August the water is warmer but boat places sell out sooner — book in advance.

Weather: the excursion depends on sea conditions. With strong northerly (tramontana) or southerly (scirocco) winds, navigation to the island may not be possible. The captain assesses safety at departure time.

What to bring: sunscreen, hat, swimsuit, towel and a camera. Water and aperitivo are included on board.

Experience the island with Sea Tour

Isola di Sant'Andrea is not a place you go to — it is a place you experience, from the sea, respecting the nature that makes it unique. With Sea Tour Gallipoli you arrive the right way: by boat, with a captain who knows every current and every story of this island, and with all the time to enjoy the blue that surrounds it.

Choose the South Tour to discover it by day, or the Sunset Tour to see it painted by sunset. Either way, book now — the most beautiful sea in Salento awaits just a mile offshore.