Elba

From CruisersWiki

Elba is the largest of the islands in the so-called Tuscan archipelago of Italy and the third largest overall after Sicily and Sardinia. Situated 30 miles east of the Corsican port of Bastia, the north-east tip of the island is only five miles from the commercial harbour of Piombino on the Italian mainland. Most of the island is mountainous, culminating in the 1019 metre high peak of Monte Capanne in the west, except for the central belt where the principal harbour of Portoferraio is situated on the northern coast. The island was much coveted in ancient times, firstly by the Etruscans and later by the Romans, for its major iron ore deposits (hence Portoferraio). By the 17th century the excellent natural harbour of Portoferraio attracted the attention of the navies of France, Spain, Italy and finally England, which briefly seized the island at the close of the 18th century. Elba’s enduring fame, however, derives from the exile here from May 1814 to February 1815 of the defeated Napoleon Bonaparte, whose Villa dei Mulini in Portoferraio and summer residence of Villa Napoleonica di San Martino five km SW of the town are now museums. Today Elba is a thriving tourist island, invariably heaving with Italian and foreign tourists during late July and August, its hotels full to bursting point. For the cruising yachtsman, the choice of accommodation lies between the busy harbours of Portoferraio, Porto Azzurro and Marciana Marina and the numerous smaller harbours and anchorages around the coast.

Charts

British Admiralty

1999 - Livorno to Civitavecchia

Italian

193

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Approach

See details of harbour approaches.

Customs & Immigration

Port police and customs adjacent to the old harbour in Portoferraio.

Health & Security

A summer tourist medical service operates at most of the main harbours.

Berthing options

Ports

From Portoferraio clockwise round the island:

• Portoferraio (Port of entry)
• Cavo
• Rio Marina
• Porto Azzurro (Port of entry)
• Marina di Campo
• Marciana Marina

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Esaom Cesa
• Circolo Nautico Cavo
• Circulo della Vela Marciana Marina

Anchorages

List details of all safe anchorages in the area.

• Cala Bagnaia
• Cala di Mola
• Golfo Stella
• Golfo della Lacona
• Golfo di Procchio

Offshore Islands

• Isola Pianosa

Things to do ashore

See entries for individual harbours.

Routes/Passages To/From

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

Also see Italy.

Comments

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Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

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Contributors to this page
Names: Athene of Lymington