Our bases
Port of Piombino MAT
Starting from the month of may 2024 our charter fleet will be moored at the new tourist port of Piombino called MAT (Marina Arcipelago Toscano), a brand-new harbor in the process of being completed but already operational with the presence of all services such as water, electricity, bathrooms and showers.
Suggested itineraries
How to reach the base
You can easily get there BY CAR, TRAIN or PLANE.
Piombino is the departure city for all ferries to the island of Elba and can therefore be easily reached by car from all directions, by train from Campiglia Marittima station, by plane from Pisa airport or by taxi or with a transfer organised by us.
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME AND CONTACT OUR BASE MANAGER IN CASE OF DELAY.
Itineraries
Weekend Cruise from Piombino MAT
The port of Piombino MAT is within easy reach of Elba, whether you decide to sail along the northern or southern side of the island. We suggest that you use these two days to reach Marina di Campo, which is the only port on the southern side, stopping in several of the bays on the way for a swim or a rest.
Elba needs little introduction. Apart from being the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, it remains a jewel in the Mediterranean, which despite a lively tourism industry has managed to keep the legacy of its past populations intact along with its countryside. The whole archipelago is protected, having been designated the biggest Marine Nature reserve in Europe.
Leaving on Saturday morning from this modern and well equipped marina after approx. 4-5 miles you will be off the coast of Elba. Having passed the Gulf of Porto Azzurro, the first points to round are Punta dei Ripalti and Punta Calamita, which are the southern most points of the island.
From then on you will find a series of beautiful white sandy beaches and emerald water: the Costa dei Gabbiani and the Innamorata are two of the most renowned. Two rocks, the Gemini, which you will see below the village of Capoliveri, are worth seeing too.
The first of the large bays on the South is Golfo Stella, followed by Golfo della Lacona and finally Marina di Campo, a fine harbour for the night. From here you can take the whole of the following day to return to Piombino MAT.
Itineraries
One Week Cruise from Piombino MAT
With a week available one can easily sail right round Elba and find time to take in the natural beauty of the flora and fauna to be found there, the island is midway geologically between mainland Italy and Sardinia.
From one mooring to another you will have the possibility to cruise in some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean with sunken forest of red coral and Poseidon, where you will see an abundance of marine life.
Steering north, the first stop would be Portoferraio, a small town created by the Medici family and noted for its three forts linked by a long line of ramparts. Here they have recently restored the medieval port of Darsena Medicea, inside which is the Calata Mazzini, the left-hand side being reserved for cruising yachts. Do not miss out on a walk through the town where you can discover traces of Napoleon’s life on the island.
The northern coast has a large inlet made up of three famous bays: Enfola, La Biodola and Procchio, which are traditional seaside spots.
Just after the western most point lies the port of Marciana Marina, a fascinating and characteristic Elban village which could not be without its own Saracen tower, overlooked by Monte Capanne, the highest on the island.
From here there is a delightful 10 mile sail, with Corsica in your sights, to the southern side and Marina di Campo, but please do not fail to have a swim in the Bay of Fetovaia on the way!
From Marina di Campo it’s also possible to take weekly cruises to the Island of Pianosa, formally a penal colony, but now part of the Marine Park where you may visit the Roman catacombs and, if lucky, catch a sight of a few turtles swimming hereby.
With two to three days left going eastwards, you will pass the Gulfs of Lacona and Stella and then round Monte Calamita, the southern most point of a vast zone rich with minerals, which for many years was the mainstay of the island economy. At Porto Azzurro, wandering around the small squares and boutiques, you can appreciate why Elba is still one of the most important mineral sites in the world. From the quay, looking up, you can see Capoliveri, reachable by car.
This group of houses, clinging to the hillside, offers you stunning views of Golfo Stella and Porto Azzurro. Only 10 more miles are left to cross the Piombino channel and return to Piombino MAT.
Itineraries
Two Weeks Cruise from Piombino MAT
The position of our new base means that you can reach Corsica, Sardinia and a large part f the Tuscan Archipelago.
Wishing to sail and favorable weather will be the extra ingredients.
The first stop could be Portoferraio, with its Medician fort and sepctacular surroundings. Several miles on lie the north-western range of mountains, where you can still see signs of the old iron mines of Cima del Monte while passing the inlets of Cavo and Rio Marina.
Turn westwards, pass the last large Gulf of Elba, where you can find the small bays of Enfola, La Biodola and Procchio, and soon you will be on your way to Corsica. In fact Bastia is just 30 miles away, with a spectacular port, where you can stay right in the centre of the old town.
Going South on this side of Corsica it could be worth stopping a night in Solenzara.
When you reach Porto Vecchio, you will notice an immediate change in the coastline, the low marshland gives away to the rocky southern coast of Corsica.
The channel of Porto Vecchio is best approached during the day, with the Cerbicali rocks off the entrance. A good example of this terrain! Here there is an old fort, where you can shop or eat out in a local restaurant.
Before reaching the Bouche de Bonifacio, take a swim in the transparent water of Santa Giulia, Rondinara or Sant’Amanza.
The coastline here becomes exciting, with the fantastic Islands of Lavezzi, Piana and Cavallo and Spargi, Maddalena and Caprera further to the South. Here you are in a sailing paradise with thousands of bays and beaches, each one more beautiful than the other. Do not miss Budelli, Razzoli and S. Maria.
Can we remind you that the Maddalena Archipelago is a Nature Reserve, so that there are some navigation restrictions.
Before turning back, the fiord of Bonifacio is not to be missed, with its high white cliffs and the “cittadella” on top.
At this point you can decide to go back the way you came or set off for Giglio, the second largest island in Tuscany, anchoring in Giglio Porto or in Cala delle Cannelle. Giannutri is 10 miles South East, with Roman remains, its only mooring for the night being Cala Spalmatoio. From Giannutri you will return to Piombino MAT stopping one last time in Porto Azzurro, if you like.
Please note that you are not allowed by the Italian Authorities to go close to the islands of Montecristo and Gorgona.
