Mauro Morandi: the Man Who Has Lived Alone on an Island for 28 Years

The Spiaggia Rosa, or Pink Beach, derives its rosy colour from microscopic fragments of corals and shells like Miriapora truncata and Miniacina miniace.

Morandi waves to a passing boat from his porch. Although the beach was closed to tourists in the nineties, visitors can access limited parts of the island.

“I’m sort of in prison here," Morandi says of his seclusion, "but it’s a prison that I chose for myself.”

During the winter, Morandi likes to watch the monstrous sea swells that are created by strong winds.

Morandi says he never feels lonely because he is constantly surrounded by life.

Morandi gathers herbs behind his home. He has a companion who delivers groceries to the island every two weeks.

Morandi is an avid reader, especially during the winter months.

Morandi spends many hours looking at the sea. He believes Budelli Island is the quintessence of beauty.