Achziv Islands

Achziv Islands are a group of five small islets in the Mediterranean Sea, located about one kilometer off the coast of Rosh Hanikra and Achziv, near the city of Nahariya in northern Israel. These islands are remnants of one of three kurkar ridges that run parallel to Israel’s coastline, extending from the north down to the Sharon plain. Over time, parts of the ridge have eroded, sunk, or crumbled. It is also part of the three northernmost islets, known collectively as the Rosh Hanikra Islands, which form a protected nature reserve where public entry is prohibited. However, the largest island, Shagavion, also nicknamed "Love Island," is the only one open to the public. The surrounding area was significant during the Mishnaic period, when nearby Achziv had a synagogue and was known for producing purple dye from the local sea snails, used in religious garments such as the tallit. The island remained deserted until the 1980s, when two entrepreneurs established a small kiosk-restaurant, attracting visitors by boat and swimmers alike. Despite the challenges of limited supplies and basic facilities, the place thrived—until a storm destroyed the kiosk. Afterward, they began offering motorboat tours to the island and nearby coastal attractions.

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