Italy · Tuscany
The Tuscan Archipelago
Seven nights from Cala de' Medici — Elba, Capraia, Giglio and Giannutri, in a marine park most boats sail past.
7 nights · Round trip from Cala de' Medici
Almost everyone chartering in Italy points south, which is exactly why this week works. Seven islands inside a national marine park, an hour or two off a coast people mainly drive along, and anchorages that in August hold a fraction of the boats you would find off Capri the same afternoon.
The route, day by day
Day 1
Cala de' Medici
Board below Livorno and take the short leg out to the Meloria shoals or straight for the island, depending on the hour you land. The first night stays close on purpose.
Day 2
Capraia
Volcanic, half an hour of water from anything, and one village. The old prison colony closed in 1986 and the island has been quietly reclaiming itself since.
Day 3
Elba, north coast
Portoferraio for the harbour and Napoleon's two houses, then round to Sant'Andrea or Capo Sant'Andrea for granite slabs and clear water.
Day 4
Elba, south coast
Cavoli and Fetovaia on the south-west corner, and the iron mines at Rio Marina on the other side — the reason the island was fought over for three thousand years.
Day 5
Giglio
South across open water. A walled medieval town above the harbour, and Cala delle Cannelle below it with water clear enough to see the anchor set.
Day 6
Giannutri
The last and emptiest: ten permanent dwellings, a Roman villa sliding into the sea, and a bay you will usually have to yourselves.
Day 7
Cala de' Medici
The run back north, with a last swim off Elba or the Argentario if the timing allows.
Worth knowing
- Two yachts are based at Cala de' Medici; the rest are positioned for your dates, so book earlier
- The whole archipelago is a national marine park — anchoring is regulated in parts and the crew know where
- Montecristo and Pianosa are restricted: you sail past them rather than land, and that is what most weeks do
- Pisa airport is under an hour from the base, Florence about ninety minutes
- Short passages and sheltered bays make this an unusually easy week with children aboard
Where this route goes
Yachts that sail this route
Itineraries
Sail this route
Tell us your dates and how many are coming, and we will say which yacht suits the week — including when a different route suits you better.