An amazing beauty, located in the northern area of the Archipelago, this island is also the flattest. Its highest point is Guardia del Turco, 49 m above sea level. Santa Maria is separated from the nearby Razzoli by a very narrow strait known as Passo degli Asinelli.

The first inhabitants were Benedictine monks who lived here in1238. It was believed for a long time that their convent was in Budelli; quite the opposite, the religious order had its seat in Santa Maria, which had been included in the general ‘group’ definition of ‘Budelli Islands’, together with Razzoli and Budelli.

The expression budelli had been used to identify the narrow straits among the three islands, just like the Roman cunicula and the carruggi in Genoa. Nowadays, you can recognise the ruins belonging to a small Benedictine church.

Cala Santa Maria is on the southern coast and it is the biggest beach on the island. It consists of a wonderful shore, with very fine and soft sand, and reflects a transparent and clear sea. There are shallow sandy waters, lightly waning into the open sea, recreating a fantastic natural swimming pool.

From the northern edge of the beach, beyond the dock for boats, two different dirt roads originate. One leads you inland, up to the ruined monastery, while the other allows you to reach a small church, Madonna dell’Assunta, on the top of the island, unveiling an all-round view of the nearby sea. Here celebrations take place once a year, on August 15th.