Portoferraio

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WorldMediterraneanItalyTuscan CoastElbaPortoferraio
Portoferraio
42°48.732'N, 010°19.723'E Chart icon.png
lat=42.8122 | lon=10.32871 | zoom=15 | y
Portoferraio.jpg
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Portoferraio old harbour

Portoferraio, the main harbour on Elba, lies on the west side of a well-sheltered bay, protected by the peninsula of Punta Falcone. The old harbour today is a busy commercial port and marina with berths for around 70 yachts on laid moorings.

Charts

British Admiralty
131 - Rada di Portoferraio
Italian
913

Weather

Portoferraio is well sheltered in most conditions. Strong southerly winds, however, send a chop into the harbour, but this is not dangerous.

Sources for Weather forecasts:

  • There is a continuous (computerized voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation
  • The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16
  • Navtex weather forecasts are broadcast from stations at Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily)

Passages

See Mediterranean.

Communication

Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

Care is needed in the approach from the west to avoid the shoal of Capo Bianco extending nearly half a mile north from Punta Cap Bianco. The shoal is identified by a north cardinal marker. Entrance to the harbour is difficult in strong southerly winds. Night entry (after 2100) is discouraged. Depths in the harbour range from 2.5 to 6.5 metres.

Berthing

The harbor is operated as a marina.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Marina di Portoferraio

Marina di Portoferraio/wiki/Portoferraio#Marina_di_Portoferraio
Marina icon Marina di Portoferraio [[Portoferraio#Marina di Portoferraio|Marina di Portoferraio]] 42°48.791'N, 010°19.814'E

Yacht berths are on the west side of the harbour, managed by Cosimo De Medici srl Soc. There are a total of 70 berths, of which seven are ostensibly reserved for yachts in transit. Laid moorings at all berths. Usually marina staff are on hand to help with mooring. All facilities, fuel, laundry, WiFi, car hire, taxis.

[email protected]; Tel: +39 (0565) 944 024; Fax: +39 (0565) 914 121; VHF channel 09
Address: Cosimo de medici s.r.l., Calata Mazzini 37, 57037 Portoferraio (LI), Italy

Esaom Cesa

Esaom Cesa/wiki/Portoferraio#.5B.5BEsaom_Cesa.5D.5D

Anchorages

Rada di Portoferraio

Rada di Portoferraio/wiki/Portoferraio#Rada_di_Portoferraio
Anchorage icon Rada di Portoferraio [[Portoferraio#Rada di Portoferraio|Rada di Portoferraio]] 42°48.36′N, 10°19.26′E
Anchor clear of the ferry turning area and the harbour approaches, avoiding the numerous small craft moorings. Depths here are 3.0 - 5.0 metres. Holding is excellent in mud. Shelter is reasonable unless there is anything east in the wind. However, the anchorage is subject to a lot of ferry wash.

Cala Bagnaia

Cala Bagnaia/wiki/Portoferraio#Cala_Bagnaia
Anchorage icon Cala Bagnaia [[Portoferraio#Cala Bagnaia|Cala Bagnaia]] 42°48.6′N, 10°21.66′E
Cala Bagnaia is a u-shaped bay about one mile due east of the old harbour. Anchor in 4.0 - 5.0 metres clear of the small craft moorings. Shelter here is good except when there is anything west in the wind.

Amenities

Facilities
Water Water at all berths
Electricity Electricity at all berths
Toilets In both marinas
Showers In both marinas
Laundry In Marina di Portoferraio
Garbage Bins around the harbour
Supplies
Fuel Fuel quay immediately to the west of the entrance to the basin
Bottled gas ?
Chandlers ?
Services
Repairs In Esaom Cesa
Internet WiFi in both marinas
Mobile connectivity ?
Vehicle rentals Several rental outlets in the town

Provisioning

Good shops at the north end of the harbour.

Eating out

Some good ristorantes in the old town square.

Transportation

  • Local buses around the island
  • Ferries to Piombino and Livorno on the mainland
  • Airport at Marina di Campo with flights to Pisa, Florence and Rome plus a few other European destinations.

Tourism

History

Portoferraio was originally founded by Cosimo I de Medici, Duke of Tuscany, in 1548, the peninsula was fortified over subsequent centuries and remained in the hands of the Tuscan Grand Duchy until the 18th century. Briefly occupied by the English at the outset of the 19th century, Portoferraio became the place of exile of the defeated Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1814 until his escape to the French mainland the following year. His residence, the Villa dei Mulini, is now a museum and visitors can browse in the great man’s library and terraced garden.

Places to Visit

The old town, enclosed by a mediaeval wall and topped by its 16th century Medici castle, is very atmospheric. The Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon’s former residence, can be visited here (closed Tuesdays). The same ticket entitles you to visit the other site associated with Napoleon, his summer residence at Villa Napoleonica di San Martino, situated in the village of San Martino 5 kilometres SW of the town. Originally quite modest, the latter was considerably altered by one Prince Demidoff (a 19th century fan and collector of Napoleonic memorabilia), who funded a pompous, neoclassical extension. If you hire transport, the flower-bedecked village of Marciana up in the hills to the west of Portoferraio is most attractive. You can take a cable car from there up to the top of Monte Capanne for wonderful views of the island. Another delightful hilltop village is Poggio, whose shady cafes make for a great lunch stop.

The Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon’s former town house
Villa di San Martino, Napoleon’s country residence
Cable car up to Monte Capanne
The mountain village of Poggio

Friends

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

Forums

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

Links

References & Publications

See Italy.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington


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