ARRIVAL
The district is predestined for theCar journey (or bus). Most crews then take a boat from theMainland and sail over; the car is left in a car park (approx. 10 to 15 euros/day). If you want to continue to the island of Elba, drivefrom Piombino onto the ferry(e.g. Moby Lines) and on to Portoferraio
Portoferraio; costs approx. 25 euros/person and approx. 70 euros for the car. Prices vary greatly depending on the season, day and time.Tickets are best booked in advance via the InternetIf you book in advance, they are significantly cheaper than if you buy them on the spot. It is best to pre-book your departure time in the high season, otherwise the seats may be taken.
Flight arrival is hardly possible directly from Germany to Elba, usually you have to travel viaPisa or Florence.
Crew transfer by minibus to Piombino for four people approx. 140 euros and around 1.5 hours, transfer by train from Pisa approx. 2.5 hours.
CHARTER
The largest fleets are on the mainland inPiombino,Scarlino orPunta Ala stationed atElba itself has fewer fleets, Most recently, Sun Charter and Patrice Buechi were inPortoferraio on site. Accordingly, more crews start from the mainland than directly on the island. From the mainland, it is around 8 to 15 miles to Portoferraio, depending on the starting harbour. If you start from the island, you need to allow time and money for the ferry journey from Piombino. In summer, the ferries are full (see travelling).
WIND & WEATHER
In the summer months, the wind mainly blowsweak to moderate westerly and north-westerly winds. South-easterly winds are rarer. Elba is consideredLight wind arealonger lulls are also not uncommon. If an area of low pressure passes over the Gulf of Genoa, strong winds from the south-west, the Libeccio, can also occur.Beware of the mistral. However, it is well forecast by the weather services, so you can be prepared if you listen to the report every day, which is important. Good mistral wind forecasts can be found at www.meteofrance.com/ previsions-meteo-marine/cotes. The Mistral can also blow weaker at times with 4 to 6 Beaufort and is then very welcome as a good sailing wind. Very threateningStrong mistraloften sets inA run on the rather few safe harbours on Elbathen you should make a reservation or be there early, preferably by midday.
NAVIGATION & SEAFARING
The area is navigableuncomplicatedShoals are usually quite well buoyed. The biggest challenge in the area is to plan for the occasional mistral in good time, as it can be stormy, even in summer (see Weather). Therefore, don't be lulled by the calm weather and always check the forecast.
In Italy, anchored yachts must200 metres from the beach and100 metres to rocky coasts comply. Bathing beaches are often covered withFloating lines demarcated. You can land with a dinghy partly via buoyed corridors. Various anchoring and sailing bans apply in Portoferraio's bay due to ferry traffic.
There are in the areaa whole series of nature reserveswhich entail restrictions or even bans on landing (e.g. the islands of Pianosa, Gorgona or Montecristo). Information for Capraia and the protected areas: www.islepark.gov.it. Crews should adhere to the regulations in Italy, there are random checks and sometimes severe fines are imposed.
OnCorsica are alsoRestricted zones marked with yellow buoys, unfortunately in some cases over a large area. But hardly any locals adhere to them. Important: Do not anchor in seaweed fields, as this is prohibited in Corsica.
HANDLES & ANCHORS
Depending on the yacht's draught, there are four to six harbours on Elba, one each on Capraia and Giglio, and four or five other attractive destinations on the opposite mainland coast. All harbours are equipped withMuring linesequipped. OneRegistration via VHF on arrival is recommended; marineros will then allocate berths. In the summer season, space is sometimes scarce, for example on Capraia, but also on Elba. Reserving berths is highly recommended, as it takes the pressure off the crew. The berth usually has to be paid for online before you arrive. Charter companies sometimes help and make reservations for customers!
In summerfor a 45-foot vessel with around 100 euros demurrage can be expected. The sanitary facilities are not always the best.
There are plenty of anchorages in calm weather. However, when the mistral blows, many of them become unusable due to swell.
Central web link for the Corsican harbours: www.uppc.fr. Unfortunately, there is no similar Italian address.
LITERATURE & NAUTICAL CHARTS
Rod Heikell: Coastal Handbook Italy, Edition Maritim. K.-J. Röhrig: Corsica/Sardinia/Elba, Delius Klasing. Nauticard sports boat charts: Übersegler 1011, detailed charts 4001 and 4002.
TERRITORY CHARACTERISTICS
One of the classicCar arrival areas of the Mediterranean is this archipelago of islands off the coast of Tuscany. It is just 790 kilometres from Munich to Piombino, one of the classic starting ports for the region. In front of it, the islandsElba,Capraia,Giglio and last but not leastCorsicawhich many crews use at least for a detour to the east coast to Bastia for island hopping.
Many crews start from the mainland, but do not stay there for long andmostly circumnavigate Elba with an optional detour to Capraia, Giglio or the large neighbouring island of Corsica.
The hilly islands offer typical Italian flair withbeautiful old town harbourslike that of the almost sophisticated Portoferraio on Elba, where the mega yachts cavort in the summer,smaller places such as Marciana Marina or Porto Azzuro. A market square with thecolourful Italian houses with its typical light patina, a few shops, nice trattorias, restaurants, bars and cafés, where the Italians, carefully styled, stroll around until late in the evening.
Their veryown charmhave the pretty little islandsCaprai or Giglio. Due to its small harbours, theBig rushYou won't always get a place, but there are plenty of anchorages in calm weather, some of them with buoys (exception:Strong mistral; in many bays then stands Swellsee Weather and seamanship).
A special treat is theChange to Corsicawhich can be done in a couple of hours. Bastia, with its great old town and historic harbour, is definitely worth a detour. Swapping the French lifestyle for Italian for a day is definitely appealing.
Tuscany isNot a favourable territoryIn summer, the mooring fees for a 43-foot boat often exceed the 100 euro mark. Marineros who actively help with mooring are a matter of course, but very good sanitary facilities are not always available. Italian cuisine, on the other hand, is available at various price levels, with expensive restaurants of a high standard as well as cheaper trattorias.
For the Tuscan Islands, if there is no mistral wind, they are more of abeginner-friendly light wind area are. However, in theJuly and August also full, As the many boats from the mainland head for the islands, space in the harbours sometimes becomes scarce and the anchor bays are packed. But if you can come to terms with this or arrive in the early or late season, you can experience a typical Italian sailing area with lots of charm at a very favourable price.
