For nautical tourism, Elba Island has become famous for the beauty of its countless inlets and the transparency of its waters. All around Elba are countless secluded coves in which to drop anchor to enjoy unique moments of seaside pleasure.
Here, broken down by each of the main coastal stretches of the island what are the ones not to be missed.
Boating vacations: bays & landings on Elba Island
In the roadstead of Portoferraio
1a. PORTOFERRAIO
42°48′ 90N – 10°20′ 80E
The best anchorages in the wide, sheltered inlet are those located on the O side, away from the ferry maneuvering area. The best places to bottom are near the Edilnautica dock, on muddy bottom excellent tenor, and on the S side of the roadstead to the E of the conspicuous bulk of a hotel in 2-5 meters of water.
1b. SAN GIOVANNI.
42°48′ 20N – 10°19′ 45E
On the S side, opposite the Medicean harbor, a pier protecting a small harbor reserved for inhabitants is revealed. You can anchor outside in 2 meters of water and go ashore where there is a pretty village with stores and restaurants.
1c. WAREHOUSES
42°48′ 00N – 10°21′ 50E
SE of the roadstead, near Point Brass, is a docked jetty with very shallow water except at the head, where there is 2 meters of water. In good weather you can anchor in front of the small beach in 2-4 meters of water on good sand bottom tenor.
1d. CALA BAGNAIA
42°48′ 65N – 10°21′ 50E
It is a bay on the E side of the Portoferraio roadstead, exposed to O and NW winds. Give bottom only in clear weather among boats moored to buoys.
Between Portoferraio and Capo Vita
2. NISPORTO COVE.
42°49′ 22N – 10°22′ 60E
A little more than a kilometer N of Cala Bagnaia and about 3 from Capo Vita, you reach this ampioridosso with seabed depths of up to 200 meters. A ruined house behind the beach is conspicuous. You can give bottom in front of the beach in 5-9 meters of water on seaweed. Another 800 meters further N is the smaller Cala Nisportino: it can be recognized by the pine forest behind the beach. Give bottom in 5-15 meters on bottom of seaweed and stones.
3. SENO D’ORTANO
42°47′ 00N – 10°26′ 00E
A mile from the cape of the same name, between steep rocks and a sandy beach, is this landing place protected from SE by an islet. Give bottom towards S in 4-8 meters with rocky bottom or in front of the beach in 4-8 meters on sand, seaweed, rock. Beware of rocky shoals reaching up to 100 meters from the coast and S of the islet. Ashore restaurant and bar.
In the bay of Porto Azzurro
4. BIGHT BARB
42°45′ 60N – 10°24′ 60E
Just E of the citadel of Porto Longone, overlooking Porto Azzurro, is the small landing well sheltered from northern winds. Give bottom about 200 meters from the beach in 3-7 meters of water.
5. COVE OF MOLA AND COVE NAREGNO
Landings positioned within the bay of Porto Azzurro and in its S. Dar fondo 500 meters from shore in 4-10 meters of water on sand and mud.
South and west of Porto Azzurro
Past Cape Focardo, a promontory recognizable by the conspicuous fort in front of it, especially when the weather is good-almost always in summer-there are a few bays where you can give bottom with peace of mind.
6a. GULF STAR
42°45′ 50N – 10°20′ 00E
Overlooked by the town of Capoliveri, it lies on the E side of Cape Stella and is two miles wide. It is an anchorage ridged by all winds except southerly winds. The bottom of the gulf is divided by the tip of Cape Pines.
6b. MARGIDORE BIGHT
42°45′ 60N – 10°19′ 30E
At the NO end of the Stella Gulf is the small bay recognizable by a stone jetty and a gray sand beach behind which a pine forest opens. Dar fondo 150 meters from the beach in 5-7 meters of water on good sand bottom tenor.
7. GULF OF LACONA
42°45′ 00N – 10°18′ 00E
Wide and surrounded by steep, barren coastline, it is home to two sandy beaches and is well sheltered because it is open only to S. The best mooring is in front of the largest beach, where you can give bottom 200 meters from shore in 7-8 meters of water.
8. MARINA DI CAMPO ROADSTEAD
42°44′ 65N – 10°14′ 40E
You can anchor either in front of the beach on excellent sand bottom tenor, or 300 meters from the shore in 5-7 meters of water. S of the harbor also has a nice, quiet cove in the middle of which give bottom in 5-7 meters of water on muddy bottom.
9. CAVOLI ANSA.
42°44′ 20N – 10°11′ 00E
Two and a half miles from Marina di Campo is this beautiful beach, perhaps too busy in summer. Dar fondo in 5 meters of water on sand.
10. FETOVAIA BAY
42°43′ 60N – 10°09′ 50E
Immediately N of Punta Fetovaia is this landing place sheltered from the SO winds and recognizable by the beautiful beach surrounded by many houses. Anchor 200 meters from shore in 5-8 meters of water.
11. SANT’ANDREA.
42°48′ 50N – 10°08′ 50E
Small village, placed 2 miles W of Marciana Marina in a bay accessible only with calm seas. On the left side is a shallow-water jetty where you can dock.
East of Marciana Marina
12. GULF OF PROCCHIO
42°48′ 00N – 10°15′ 00E
Half a mile wide, it is bordered by a white beach, to the left of which is a roadstead with boating buoys. You can give bottom 150 meters from the beach.
13. BIGHTS OF BIODOLA AND TENDRIL
Places to the N of the previous host there you can bottom while being careful of the many rocks at the water’s edge.
Don’t miss the other installments of Boat Vacations in the Tuscan Archipelago
- Tuscan Archipelago, mix of history and nature
- To navigate the Tuscan Archipelago
- Elba Island, from the Etruscans to Napoleon
- Ports and marinas on the island of Elba
- Bays and landings in the Island of Elba
- Discover the various souls of Elba (in programming)
- Capraia, two “steps” from Corsica (in programming)
- Giglio Island, among fortresses, towers and sheltered bays (in programming)
- Giannutri on vacation where Nero went… (in programming)
- Gorgona, Pianosa, Montecristo, landing on the forbidden islands (scheduled)
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