Where to sail in Tuscany and around the island of Elba?
Tuscany, in central Italy on the Tyrrhenian coast, is an ideal playground for catamaran charters, with short line-of-sight crossings, sheltered anchorages, and the Tuscan islands just off your bow. Elba, the largest of the seven Tuscan islands, is the flagship destination.
Several cruising grounds open up from the Tuscan bases:
- The island of Elba: the heart of a Tuscany cruise, renowned for its spectacular anchorages, its crystal-clear coves, and its lively harbors such as Portoferraio. You can easily go ashore to explore the towns and dine in the local restaurants.
- The Tuscan archipelago: seven islands in all — Elba, Capraia, Giglio, Gorgona, Pianosa, Montecristo, and Giannutri. Several of them (Montecristo, Pianosa, Gorgona) lie in highly protected zones, with restricted access or subject to permit.
- The Tuscan coast and the Gulf of Follonica: Punta Ala, Cala Violina, Scarlino, and the beaches along the shore, perfect for short coastal hops.
- Corsica and Sardinia: within reach for longer cruises, as a natural extension from Elba.
Departure ports and bases in Tuscany
Catamaran charters in Tuscany set off mainly from a few well-connected bases:
- Punta Ala: a major base facing the island of Elba, ideal for reaching the Tuscan islands quickly.
- Marina di Scarlino (Gulf of Follonica): a central, sheltered starting point.
- San Vincenzo and Marina Cala de' Medici (Rosignano): handy bases on the Etruscan coast.
- Salivoli – Piombino: the base closest to Elba, just a short crossing away.
When to sail in Tuscany?
The best period runs from June to September, when the air temperature sits between 77°F and 84°F, close to that of the water. The season stays pleasant from April to October, peaking in July and August. For gentler rates and less crowded anchorages, spring and the shoulder season offer an excellent compromise.
Here is an average of the temperatures recorded over recent years on the island of Elba and in Tuscany:
| Temperatures | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air min (°F) | 45°F | 45°F | 48°F | 52°F | 57°F | 64°F | 70°F | 70°F | 66°F | 61°F | 54°F | 48°F |
| Air max (°F) | 55°F | 55°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 77°F | 82°F | 84°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 57°F |
| Sea water (°F) | 57°F | 57°F | 57°F | 59°F | 64°F | 72°F | 77°F | 79°F | 75°F | 70°F | 64°F | 61°F |
Sailing conditions in Tuscany
Sailing in Tuscany is known to be accessible: the passages between the coast and the Tuscan islands are short and within sight, in waters that are generally mild in summer. The prevailing wind is the mistral (maestrale), which sweeps down from the northwest and brings cooler, drier air; in summer it alternates with the sirocco, a hot and humid wind from the southeast. Rarer but stronger, the libeccio (southwest) and the ponente (west) can build up a choppy sea.
The distances between the main navigation points are as follows:
| Route | Approximate distance |
|---|---|
| Piombino → Portoferraio (Elba) | 10 nautical miles |
| Punta Ala → island of Elba | 25 nautical miles |
| Elba → Capraia | 25 nautical miles |
| Elba → Giglio | 35 nautical miles |
Part of the Tuscan islands belongs to the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, one of the largest marine protected areas in the Mediterranean. Anchoring is regulated there, and certain zones are off-limits or subject to permit, particularly around Montecristo, Pianosa, and Gorgona. Check the authorized areas before dropping anchor.
Cruise itinerary ideas in Tuscany
To help you picture your trip, here are two one-week itinerary outlines departing from the Tuscan coast:
- The tour of the island of Elba in 7 days: setting off from Punta Ala or Salivoli, coastal cruising around Elba, its coves and its harbors, with a possible extension toward Capraia.
- Tuscan archipelago and Etruscan coast: a loop between Scarlino, Elba, and Giglio, alternating wild anchorages and gourmet stops.
Which types of boat to rent in Tuscany?
Depending on your plans and your budget, several types of boat are available, with the catamaran leading the way for comfort and stability:
- Catamaran rentals in Tuscany — the top choice for comfort, living space, and stability at anchor. Its shallow draft also makes it easier to reach the shallower coves. Ideal for a family or a group of friends looking for a relaxing vacation.
- The sailboat rental in Tuscany: the most affordable option, which will delight lovers of the thrill of sailing and is valued for its handling.
- The motorboat rental in Tuscany: perfect for day trips and quick connections between the Tuscan islands.
The services offered for your boat rental in Tuscany
- Rental without a captain: if someone in your crew has the required license and experience, the boat is all yours — plan your cruise however you like.
- Rental with a captain: the ideal option if no one can take the helm or if you want a fully relaxing vacation. A licensed captain handles navigation and shares local knowledge with you.
- Rental with crew: included on luxury vessels over 20 meters, optional between 10 and 20 meters. The crew is generally made up of a captain, a cook, and a hostess.
- Cabin cruise: you book a single cabin on a high-end boat, sharing the vessel with other guests and a professional crew. Ideal for traveling as a couple without chartering the whole boat.
What is the price of a catamaran rental in Tuscany?
The table below gives a guide to average prices for a one-week rental in Tuscany. These rates vary according to the season, availability, the model, and the age of the boat.
| Boat type | High season July and August | Mid season May, June, and September | Low season April and October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catamaran (3 cabins) | $9,700 | $5,900 | $3,200 |
| Catamaran (4 cabins) | $14,000 | $8,100 | $4,300 |
| Monohull (2 cabins) | $2,800 | $1,850 | $1,350 |
| Monohull (3 cabins) | $3,350 | $2,250 | $1,600 |
| Monohull (4 cabins) | $4,850 | $2,800 | $2,150 |
The price includes: the boat rental and the main equipment on board (sails, dishware, Wi-Fi, the dinghy, bedding, and the outboard engine).
The price does not include: insurance, harbor and mooring fees, the captain, the hostess, end-of-rental cleaning often built into a mandatory package, extras (kayak, paddleboard…), and provisioning.
If you wish to charter a yacht in Tuscany, contact us directly to obtain the rate list: the price range is very wide for this type of boat. Lina, our specialist in the crewed and luxury boat segment, will send you the best offers.
We recommend adding our cancellation insurance. It covers every member of the crew, whereas individual cancellation insurance or coverage through your bank card only covers the holder.
We also recommend deposit waiver insurance. At sea, mishaps happen even to the best sailors: this insurance lets you recover a significant part of your deposit in the event of damage related to sailing.
The documents required to rent a boat without a captain in Tuscany
For a bareboat rental in Tuscany, you will need a coastal boating license as well as a restricted radiotelephone certificate for using the VHF. For larger vessels, an offshore license or equivalent may be required, depending on the size of the boat and the charter company's terms. Note that US boating safety certificates are not always recognized abroad; an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or a detailed sailing resume is generally requested, so check the requirements with us before you travel.
Useful information for your boat rental in Tuscany
What language is spoken in Tuscany?
The official language is Italian. In the harbors and tourist areas, English is widely spoken.
What currency is used in Tuscany?
The currency is the euro (€).
How do you get to Tuscany?
Regular flights serve Pisa airport (Galileo Galilei), the region's main gateway, and Florence airport as a second option. Grosseto airport is the closest to the southern bases, but has no scheduled service. All these options are within reasonable distance of the departure bases (Punta Ala, Scarlino, San Vincenzo, Piombino).
Is there a time difference in Tuscany?
Italy is on Central European Time (CET), or Central European Summer Time (CEST) during the sailing season — six hours ahead of US Eastern Time.
What should you do in an emergency at sea?
In an emergency, contact the Italian coast guard (Guardia Costiera) on VHF channel 16, the international distress frequency, or by phone at the toll-free number 1530, from within Italy.
How do you finalize the booking of your boat in Tuscany?
Once we have received your request, an advisor will contact you by phone to understand your trip plans, then send you boat suggestions by email. Once the boat is found, you pay a deposit in your customer account to confirm the rental and secure the boat.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 611 |
|---|---|
| Types of service | Skipper, Hostess, Sailor, Chef (meals not included) |
| Average price per week | $14,491 |
| Minimum weekly price | $2,400 |
| Maximum price per week | $104,346 |