Sailing in Tuscany

We would like to recommend our favorite places to sail in Tuscany, places we usually go for our family cruises. Tuscany is one of the best-known and most loved regions in Italy. It was at the heart of artistic and architectural movements during the Renaissance and it also has astonishing landscapes.

The wonderful Mediterranean colors will delight you, not to mention the wine and gastronomy! You can set sail from Punta Ala. Punta Ala is located in the heart of Maremma, a Tuscan land with ancient traditions. The area is rich in picturesque, cultural and archaeological attractions. Punta Ala is known for its well-equipped tourist port and for the sailing regattas organized by the "Yacht Club Punta Ala", birthplace of Luna Rossa. From Punta Ala you can easily reach the islands of the Tuscan archipelago, which has been a protected nature reserve for 50 years. This archipelago includes seven islands: Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Giannutri, Pianosa, Gorgone and Montecristo. Each has a special history and unique characteristics. Among the islands of the Tuscan archipelago, our hearts beat for Elba and Capraia.

The Island of Elba: secret bays and incredibly blue waters

Elba is the queen of the archipelago and is the third largest Italian island. It has a vaguely triangular shape and its coasts have several bays and capes. The southern bays are sandy and larger, with breathtaking beaches like La Fetovaia.

As you sail around Elba, you will find secret, untouched and picturesque bays. An opportunity to drop anchor not to be missed in order to fully enjoy the incredibly blue waters. The easiest ports of Elba to reach are Porto Ferraio, Marciana Marina, Marina di Campo and Porto Azzurro. Our favorite is Marciana Marina. It is a small fishing village with an old guard post and charming restaurants. The port of Marciana Marina is well served with electricity, toilets, water and a gas station. Real pluses! Sailing from Elba towards Corsica, after 30 nautical miles you will find Capraia.

Capraia: the wildest island in the Tuscan archipelago

Capraia is a volcanic island in the middle of the Mediterranean: a real pearl. Its flora is rich and gives off astonishing scents. The sea is crystal clear and rich in marine life.

It is the wildest of the Tuscan islands. Anchoring and diving are permitted and regulated in the eastern and northeastern parts of the island. Capraia Porto Marina is served by electricity, water, toilets and a gas station. Be careful, you need to book in advance as it can get very crowded during the summer. You can also anchor in the beautiful bays to the north of the port such as the wild bay of Cala del Ceppo, surrounded by steep cliffs with a sand bed and an ideal anchorage depth of 5 to 8 meters.

As you sail around the Tuscan archipelago, you will find unexpected beautiful places and hidden treasures just waiting for you to find them.

Thank you very much to SailAddiction for their participation and their advice for the holidays.

You can contact them here: +348.1529564 - info@sailaddiction.com