Guide to the most beautiful destinations, coasts and islands of the Tuscan Archipelago
The island of Elba, Capraia, Il Giglio and Giannutri are just some of the best destinations for a sailing or catamaran vacation in Tuscany
Easily accessible and well-connected ports, numerous roadsteads to stop at, and the tender as your best friend to go ashore to enjoy succulent seafood cuisine with your feet sunk into the sand. Nothing is lacking, even for those who want to get a taste of island hopping. Go in a few days from the bustling island of Elba to the wild Capraia, approach the mysterious island of Montecristo and then land on Giglio to savor a glass of Ansonaco, the native white, fragrant wine: impossible to be dissatisfied with a tour of the Tuscan Archipelago by sailboat.
Surely spring is the best time to indulge in a relaxing weekend with the waters beginning to warm and the islands still uncrowded. During summer weeks the bays come alive with tourists, especially on Elba, where you can enjoy the coolness of the water during the day and the social life in the evening. Autumn and winter, on the other hand, are perfect for those who enjoy hiking and walking: you will be rewarded with breathtaking scenery and sunsets.
Travel Ideas
A relaxing experience, exploring a sea rich in wildlife and embellished with underwater wrecks, is sure to thrill the little ones and excite the older ones. There is no shortage of bays to visit and resorts to spend an evening among the stalls and small restaurants. Your skipper will get up early in the morning for a detour to Corsica, or for you to wake up in the tranquillity of the next cove.
Sustainable tourism
All seven islands are part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, established to preserve their natural biodiversity such as the characteristic Mediterranean maquis and the migratory birds that find refuge there. Numerous marine species can be spotted by sailing: propelled only by the wind and without making noise, it is easy to be accompanied by a group of dolphins or a fin whale. You are in the waters of the Pelagos Sanctuary, a favorite destination for marine mammals in the Mediterranean.
Perfect for
As early as spring, skippers organize long weekends suitable for children accompanied by families or grandparents, full of fun from bay to bay. In high season it's the turn of the weeks, during which groups of friends can devote themselves to sunbathing during the day and enjoy a nice dinner at a restaurant in the evening. For the more adventurous, there will be no shortage of crossings to Corsica. And what about couples: the Tuscan guys know that Elba Island is a must for lovers.
First time on a boat
Definitely a destination to consider for a first-time sailing experience. It allows short weekends to test one's stomach and adjust to life on board, but also whole weeks to discover quiet, sunny coves without spending many hours sailing and with the coastline always in sight. The moderate wind facilitates sailing, which becomes truly suitable for everyone. A plus: you will not easily forget the friendliness of the Tuscan skippers!
Vacation highlights in Tuscan Archipelago
Nature, relaxation and sailing in the Tuscan Archipelago
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Not to be missed in the Tuscan archipelago by sailboat
Elba Island
With its 147 km of coastline, it is the largest in the archipelago, ideal for quiet circumnavigation by sailboat. A myriad of bays and coves where you can stop for one dive after another... definitely much better to visit them by sea to avoid the tourists who populate these patches of land in high season! Cala Biodola, Fetovaia, Cavoli, Sansone and Procchio are just some of the island's most renowned beaches. It will be a pleasure then to go ashore by tender to experience the lively towns in the evening, or to devote yourself to discovering ancient fortifications and archaeological sites, or the villas where Napoleon lived during his exile.
Capraia Island
The closest to Corsica and the only one of volcanic origin, these are the two factors that characterize it. In summer it is often a favorite stop for sailboats before landing in Corsica, while in winter it is a destination for trekking enthusiasts. If, on the other hand, you arrive to stay, you will discover its charm made up of sandy and rocky seabeds, coves, caves and ravines with crystal-clear waters in which to spot all sorts of marine inhabitants. Also worth discovering is Cala Rossa, the first to be spotted arriving from Elba, immediately recognizable by its purple-colored rock walls reflected in the sea.
Giglio Island
Although its name comes from the Latin aegilium, goat, today goats no longer inhabit it. On the other hand, it is home to small coves with turquoise water, some easily accessible only by sea, such as the Caldane beach. There are three inhabited centers: Giglio Porto, the island's only port, has incredibly clear water and is filled with small stores and restaurants; Giglio Campese, which has become a tourist center thanks to its long beach; and Giglio Castello, the most characteristic, a medieval village of ups and downs and narrow alleys.
Giannutri Island
With its crescent shape, Giannutri Island, or also Isola dei Gabbiani, is the southernmost of the Archipelago and can be reached in an hour by boat from Giglio or from Monte Argentario starting from Porto Ercole or Porto Santo Stefano. Most of the island and surrounding sea constitutes a protected area and provides only two corridors of access for boats. You can only move freely between Cala Maestra and Cala Spalmatoio, where you will also find the remains of Villa Domizia, an ancient Roman villa commissioned by Nero's family.
Gorgona, Pianosa and the island of Montecristo
Gorgona, the smallest and northernmost of the islands, is home to a penal colony, making it one of the most protected islands in the archipelago. Access is limited to a maximum of 100 people per day and includes guided excursions in agreement with the Park Authority and the prison management.
Pianosa, named for its flat terrain, was also home to a maximum-security prison until 2011, and today enjoyment of the island remains restricted to keep its natural heritage intact.
Finally, wild and uninhabited Montecristo Island is recognized as a State Nature Reserve and included in the European network of biogenetic reserves. Access is strictly regulated to a maximum of about 2,000 visitors per year.
Boating holidays in Tuscany
4 reasons to visit the Tuscan Archipelago by sailboat
On the road
Halfway between the North and the South, a departure in Central Italy pleases everyone and allows you to reach the port of embarkation conveniently and quickly.
All tastes plus one
Ideal winds for sailing, with a strategic stop in Capraia that allows you to make the crossing to Corsica, but that's not all! Crystal clear bays to enjoy the sea in relaxation, or to try sailing with the little ones for the first time. Finally, many historical-artistic sites not to be missed.
At the bottom of the sea
All the islands of the archipelago are included in the Pelagos Sanctuary: impossible not to spot dolphins, fin whales or sperm whales. Not to mention the rarities that can be spotted at the bottom of the sea: archaeological finds and wrecks of ancient Etruscan and Roman ships. A paradise for snorkeling and diving!
The four seasons
Visited mainly during spring and summer, it is also worth going there in the off-season. For example, for the Sagra del Totano in Capraia, a festival of international resonance for fishing enthusiasts or simply foodies.
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