Tuscany Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes

The Tuscan Archipelago is perfectly proportioned for charter itineraries: Elba to Giglio is 28 nautical miles, Elba to Capraia 18, and Giglio to Giannutri just 8.5. The mainland coast and its marinas are never more than a couple of hours away. The routes below are designed to be combined: the 3-day and 4-day itineraries cover different islands and can be stitched together into a 7-day Tuscan charter without repeating a single anchorage. Every itinerary is fully customisable – your Boatcrowd charter specialist and onboard captain will tailor stops, pacing and activities to your group’s interests and the conditions on the day.

Day Charter Routes

Elba Beach Hop: Fetovaia, Cavoli and Marina di Campo

Depart Portoferraio by 9 a.m. and cruise south along Elba’s western coast to Spiaggia di Fetovaia – a 200-metre crescent of golden granite sand between towering cliffs, sheltered from all winds except the Sirocco. Swim and snorkel in crystal-clear water, then cruise east to Spiaggia di Cavoli (300 metres of white granite sand, turquoise water, popular beach clubs). Lunch on the aft deck or ashore at one of Cavoli’s beachfront restaurants. Afternoon at Marina di Campo – Elba’s longest beach at 1.3 km, with shallow, family-friendly water and the charming fishing village at the eastern end. Return to Portoferraio via Elba’s southern coast, passing dramatic granite headlands and hidden coves.

Giglio Day Charter from Porto Santo Stefano

Depart Porto Santo Stefano on the Argentario peninsula and cruise to Giglio (roughly 15 nautical miles, just over an hour). Anchor off Campese beach – a 500-metre crescent of golden sand overlooked by a 16th-century watchtower – for a morning swim. Take the tender to Giglio Porto, the colourful harbour, and explore the narrow lanes. For the adventurous, hike (or taxi) up to Giglio Castello, the medieval hilltop village, for views across to Montecristo and the Tuscan coast. Lunch on the aft deck in one of Giglio’s sheltered bays. Return via the Argentario coast in the late afternoon, passing Porto Ercole’s Spanish fortifications.

Capraia Volcanic Island Day Charter

Cruise from Elba’s northern coast to Capraia (18 nautical miles, roughly an hour). This volcanic island is the wildest of the Tuscan Archipelago, closer to Corsica than to the Italian mainland. Anchor in one of the sheltered western coves and snorkel over volcanic rock formations and Posidonia meadows teeming with sea bream and grouper. Take the tender ashore to the tiny harbour village (population roughly 400) for an espresso and a walk through Mediterranean scrub to the old Genoese fort. Lunch on the aft deck with nothing but sea and sky in every direction. Return to Elba in the afternoon.

3-Day Tuscany Yacht Charter Itinerary: Elba and Its Beaches

Day 1: Portoferraio and Napoleon’s Elba

Board your yacht at Portoferraio by mid-morning. After a welcome briefing and a champagne toast on the flybridge, explore Elba’s capital on foot: the pastel-coloured harbour, the Medici fortifications, and Napoleon’s official residence at the Palazzina dei Mulini (his desk, bed and personal library are still on display). After lunch on the aft deck, cruise north to Spiaggia di Sansone – a pebble-and-white-gravel beach on Elba’s north coast with crystal-clear snorkelling water surrounded by cliffs. Continue to Capo d’Enfola, a dramatic headland with a sheltered bay, for a late-afternoon swim. Return to Portoferraio for dinner ashore at one of the harbour’s trattorias – cacciucco (Tuscany’s five-fish stew), grilled local catch, and a bottle of Aleatico dell’Elba.

Day 2: Southern Beaches and Monte Capanne

Depart early and cruise south along Elba’s western coast. Morning at Fetovaia – golden sand, granite cliffs, turquoise water. Continue to Cavoli for a mid-morning swim, then round the south-western headland. If your group is keen, take the tender ashore at Marciana and ride the cable car to Monte Capanne (1,018 metres, the ‘roof of the archipelago’) for panoramic views across the entire island chain and to Corsica on a clear day. Lunch on the aft deck at Marina di Campo, Elba’s longest beach. Afternoon at one of the south coast’s hidden granite coves, accessible only from the sea. Anchor for the night off Porto Azzurro – a charming harbour town on the south-east coast, with a fortress, waterfront restaurants and a lively evening passeggiata.

Day 3: Eastern Elba and Return to Portoferraio

Explore Elba’s quieter eastern coast. Morning at Spiaggia di Naregno (sandy, sheltered, family-friendly) or Cala dei Frati (a tiny hidden cove between pine-covered cliffs). Snorkel over rocky reef, then cruise north past Capo Vita and Elba’s rugged north-eastern coastline. Your chef prepares a farewell gourmet lunch on the aft deck – Tuscan pici pasta with garlic and tomato, fresh grilled fish, torta di mele (apple cake) and a Morellino di Scansano red. Return to Portoferraio by mid-afternoon. Guests looking for a longer voyage can combine this 3-day route with the 4-day Giglio and Argentario itinerary for a comprehensive 7-day Tuscan Archipelago charter.

4-Day Tuscany Yacht Charter Itinerary: Giglio, Giannutri and the Argentario

Day 1: Punta Ala to Elba

Board your yacht at Punta Ala marina (885 berths, excellent provisioning) by mid-morning. Cruise south-west across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Portoferraio on Elba (roughly 30 nautical miles, just under 2 hours). Anchor off one of Elba’s northern beaches for a welcome swim, then take the tender into Portoferraio for an afternoon exploring Napoleon’s residences and the colourful harbour. Dinner on the aft deck as the sun sets behind the Tuscan coast.

Day 2: Elba to Giglio

Depart Elba and cruise south to Giglio (28 nautical miles, roughly 1.5 hours). Anchor off Campese beach for a morning swim and snorkel – the underwater visibility here is exceptional, with granite boulders and colourful fish. Take the tender to Giglio Porto and explore the harbour village, or hike up to Giglio Castello for views across the archipelago. Lunch on the aft deck in a sheltered bay. In the afternoon, explore Giglio’s southern coastline by tender, discovering hidden coves and swimming spots. Dinner at one of Giglio Porto’s waterfront restaurants – grilled octopus, pasta with lobster, local white wine.

Day 3: Giannutri and the Argentario

A short 8.5-nautical-mile cruise south brings you to Giannutri, the Tuscan Archipelago’s southernmost island. If you’ve pre-booked (maximum 75 visitors per day), take the guided walk to the 2nd-century AD Roman villa – the Villa dei Domizi Enobarbi, with original black-and-white mosaic floors covering 5 hectares. Even without landing, the snorkelling and diving around Giannutri are first-class: Roman-era wrecks, Etruscan amphorae on the seabed, and crystalline water over limestone reef. After lunch, cruise 10 nautical miles north-east to the Argentario peninsula. Dock at Porto Ercole, the quieter of the two Argentario towns, with its Spanish-era fortifications and the distinction of being where Caravaggio died in 1610. Dinner ashore at one of the harbour’s seafood restaurants.

Day 4: Argentario Coast and Return to Punta Ala

Morning exploring the Argentario. Cruise from Porto Ercole around the peninsula’s dramatic coastline to Porto Santo Stefano, passing sea caves, rocky headlands and clear anchorages. Take the tender ashore at Porto Santo Stefano for a late-morning coffee and a stroll through the harbour town. After lunch on the aft deck, cruise north along the Tuscan coast to Punta Ala (roughly 25 nautical miles, 1.5 hours). Guests looking for a full week can combine this 4-day route with the 3-day Elba itinerary for a 7-day charter covering the entire Tuscan Archipelago and mainland coast, without repeating a single stop.