The article presents the results of a survey of saline soils of Ol’khon Island at Baikal Lake (Irkutsk region). In work is shown soil formation of Ol’khon steppes. The classification characteristic of soils is considered. The physical and chemical properties and geochemical features of soils are determined. Sampling is made according to generally accepted in the soil science and algology methods. 14 soil profiles in different areas of the island were investigated. The paper presents the results of analysis of surface soil horizons. Data on soil algal flora of the island are rare. The enrichment cultures revealed 32 species of soil algae, belonging to the four departments: Cyanobacteria, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and Euglenozoa. Diagnosis of some species continues. Cyanobacteria devisio comprises 8 species. Bacillariophyta divisio (2 species), Chlorophyta (19 species) and Euglenozoa (3 species) are eukaryotic algae. Dominates Chlorophyta devision. The problems of the occurrence and spread of algae were considered. It is noted that the alkalization and acidification of the environment acts as a limiting factor in species diversity. At high humus and species diversity decreases. In the soil oligodontia developing communities, which consist of one or two kinds. In samples from the Shibetsky Cape culture in developing mass representatives Euglenozoa division – E. viridis, E. geniculata. Most genera contains from one to three species. It is shown that algae cenosis differ in qualitative composition in different parts of the island, which is determined by the environmental properties of soils.