From the golden sand of Fetovaia and Cavoli in the south to the white pebbles of Sansone and Capo Bianco in the north, the guide to Elba's beaches with up-to-date sea conditions, so you can choose where to go today.
Elba, the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, has a jagged coast that changes face from
one bay to the next: golden, granite-born sand in the south, white pebbles and pale cliffs in the
north, little coves of dark, iron-rich sand in the area of the old mines. The whole island is
part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
Its elongated shape is also the secret to always finding the right side: when one side catches
the wind, the sea usually stays calm on the other side of the island. Below are the most
beautiful public beaches, each with today's sea conditions: tap a row to open the full card with
waves, wind and water temperature.
The south coast: Fetovaia, Cavoli and Marina di Campo
Elba's southern side has the most golden sand and the warmest water on the island, sheltered as
it is from the northerly winds that blow most often.
A bay of fine, golden, granite-born sand, closed off by a headland. It
is sheltered from almost every wind: Punta Fetovaia protects it from the west and Monte Capanne
from the north, and it holds up well even in a mistral. The scirocco from the southeast is the
only wind that really disturbs it.
Coarse, golden granite sand, a shallow seabed and a southern exposure,
in a warm microclimate. It is sheltered from northerly winds: in a mistral it becomes a
swimming pool. One of the busiest and liveliest beaches on the island.
A wide arc of pale sand in the bay of the same name, on the southern
side, with a gently sloping seabed. Its position sheltered from northerly winds makes it one of
the handiest choices on the island in a mistral.
The north coast: Sansone, Capo Bianco and Padulella
Around Portoferraio lies the most scenic stretch of Elba: white cliffs and pebbles and water in
intense colours, from emerald green to turquoise.
White gravel and pebbles beneath pale cliffs, with very clear water. It
is reached by a downhill path of ten to fifteen minutes. It faces north and is at its best in a
scirocco and with southerly winds, when the sea on the northern side settles.
White pebbles and grainy sand at the foot of pale cliffs, near
Portoferraio. It has a large car park and you go down a few steps. Facing north, it is calm
with southerly winds.
Small, smooth white pebbles beneath pale cliffs, with emerald-coloured
water. It is sheltered from the west by Capo Bianco, faces north and is at its best with
southerly winds.
A small beach of pale granite sand, enclosed by granite rocks, in the
northwestern corner of the island. Tucked away and bright, it is a good choice with southerly
winds.
The southeast coast: Lacona, Innamorata and Barabarca
Between Capoliveri and the gulf of Lacona, long sandy beaches with dunes alternate with sheltered
coves of dark sand, a legacy of the island's mining past.
A long sandy beach with a protected dune system and a very shallow
seabed, handy with children. It is open only to southerly winds, while it stays sheltered in a
tramontana, grecale and mistral.
Dark, iron-rich sand and gravel, facing the Gemini islets. It is doubly
sheltered, from the north by Punta Pareti and from the south by Punta della Ciarpa, while it is
more exposed to easterly and northeasterly winds.
Pale sand and small pebbles in a bay closed off by two points, which
make it well sheltered. You go down a steep stairway, and for that very reason it stays
quieter.
Many of Elba's beaches are reached on foot along downhill paths and have no facilities on site. In
summer the car parks are often paid and fill up early: it is best to arrive in the morning, bring
water and shade, and leave the beach clean.
When the sea is calm on Elba
The rule for Elba is simple and holds almost always: switch sides depending on the wind. With
northerly winds such as the mistral, tramontana and grecale, the sea is calm on the south coast,
at Cavoli, Fetovaia, Lacona and Marina di Campo. With southerly winds such as the scirocco and
libeccio, the sea settles on the north coast, at Capo Bianco, Padulella, Sansone and Sant'Andrea.
With beaches exposed in every direction, there is almost always a sheltered side on the island.
MareCalmo takes into account each beach's exposure to wind and waves, so you can see at a glance
where the sea is calmest today.
Practical tips
Switch sides with the wind. Wind from the north, go south; wind from the
south, go north: it is the rule that saves the day on Elba.
Go early. In the morning the sea is usually calmer, before the breeze picks
up, and parking is easier to find.
Water shoes help. Many beaches are pebble or gravel and are reached along
steep paths: comfortable footwear is best.
Respect the Park. The whole island is in the Tuscan Archipelago National
Park: stay on the paths, do not damage the dunes and leave no litter.
What is the sea like right now?See the calmest beaches in real time, coast by coast.
Fetovaia and Cavoli in the south, Sansone and Capo Bianco in the north are among the most loved,
but there is no single most beautiful beach: there is the most beautiful one today. With the right
wind a bay is perfect; with the wind against it, it turns choppy and gusty. That is why it is worth
checking the sea conditions before you set off.
Where to go to the beach on Elba when it is windy?
It depends where it blows from. With northerly winds the south coast is best, such as Cavoli and
Fetovaia; with southerly winds the north coast is best, such as Capo Bianco and Sansone. As the
island has beaches exposed in every direction, there is almost always a sheltered side where the
sea is calm.
When is the sea calmest?
Usually early in the morning and, depending on the wind, on the sheltered side of the moment: the
south coast with northerly winds, the north coast with southerly ones. The
calm sea today page shows you in real time where
to find it now.
