Departing from the port of Marina di Campo at 9:15 a.m., we will sail anti-clockwise along the entire southern coast, passing through the Gulf of Lacona and Capo Stella until we reach the Costa dei Gabbiani. Our first stop will be at the untouched Cannello Beach, where we will enjoy a refreshing swim in the heart of the Calamita Mine, with the beach surrounded by excavations and the towering, abandoned structure of an industrial washing plant. The sound of the wind and the crashing waves is music to the ears.
We then continue along the entire Costa dei Gabbiani, an area accessible only by sea, entering the eastern side of Elba until we reach the small town of Porto Azzurro. From there, we follow the entire coast of the Rio mines to Cavo, known as the “Shining Coast” in honour of the almost dreamlike shimmer of the black mining dust found on some of the beaches, which gives them their distinctive appearance.
We then find ourselves on the northern side of Elba, first in a wild area and then continuing to Portoferraio, where the “Costa Verde” begins – a beautiful stretch of coastline characterised by white cliffs plunging into a crystal-clear sea of deep blue, rugged azure, and brilliant turquoise. Here, we will pass close to the Scoglietto Marine Reserve, which is rich in marine wildlife.
Before reaching Viticcio Bay, at Sansone Beach, we will make our second stop for a swim, in a pristine natural setting with stunning views of the Enfola Peninsula and the west coast, dominated by Monte Capanne.
Our journey continues to Biodola Bay and then to Procchio Bay, two of the longest sandy beaches on Elba Island, before reaching Marciana Marina, the last port on the northern coast. From here, we will continue to Sant'Andrea, one of the most famous beaches for its crystal-clear sea and granite cliffs that plunge into the turquoise waters, where we will make our third stop for a swim.
We are now on the western side of the island, which is characterised by a high, rocky coastline. We pass through Chiessi and Pomonte, where a shipwreck from the 1970s, the Elviscot, lies at a depth of just 12 metres (40 feet). Our fourth stop for swimming is at Fetovaia on the south coast, one of the island’s most picturesque and widely photographed beaches, renowned for its seabed, sheltered location, crystal-clear water, and the striking colour contrast between the sapphire-blue and turquoise sea and the fine, white granite sand.
We will pass through Cavoli Bay, known for its Blue Grotto, and return to Marina di Campo at approximately 3:15 pm.
