A rocky, densely vegetated island in the Gallinara Regional Park, about one mile off Albenga's beach. Its name comes from the wild hens (galline) that lived here in Roman times; the island is mentioned by several Latin authors. St Martin of Tours sheltered here from 356 to 360, and a Benedictine monastery dedicated to SS Mary and Martin was established after the 8th century, eventually controlling large estates across Liguria, Provence, and Catalonia. A 16th-century defence tower — once part of the Genoese Republic's coastal fortification chain — survives on the island. The monastery ruins have been converted into a private villa.
The island is protected and entry is restricted, but the surrounding waters are exceptional for swimming and snorkelling. The seabed is archaeologically protected: a 1st-century Roman cargo ship lies in the shallows, and new finds are occasionally made. Artefacts recovered from the wreck and from the surrounding waters are displayed in Albenga's Museo Navale Romano.