Yachtcharter Toskana

In the northern part of the west coast of Italy, the Italian Riviera and the coast of Tuscany, together with the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, form an easily accessible and worth seeing sailing area. Especially the picturesque ports of the region guarantee unforgettable vacation moments.

Climate: Mediterranean with temperatures between 23 and 30 degrees
Winds: Tramontana, Scirocco
Sailing season: May to October

Yacht Charter Italian Riviera and Tuscany - Historic Cities and the Islands of the Tuscan Archipelago

Whoever thinks of Tuscany immediately pictures the gently rolling hills and the famous Gothic and Renaissance cities of Florence, Siena, Lucca and Pisa nestled within them. But for sailors, there's another captivating image, namely the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago that lie in a semicircle off the Tuscan coast: Elba, Giglio, Giannutri, Montecristo, Capraia, Pianosa and Gorgona. This arc of islands forms a diverse playground for a yacht charter in Tuscany - and a visit to the historic towns can easily be included. For longer cruises, a venture to Corsica is recommended.

From island to island in the Tuscan Archipelago: Elba, Giglio and Co.

The yacht charter bases in Tuscany are attractive in many respects, e.g. due to their easy accessibility by car or by airport of Pisa. In addition to ports in Castiglioncello, Cecina, San Vincenzo and Puntone di Scarlino we also offer yacht charter bases in Elba. There are good ferry connections to the largest island of the archipelago, e.g. to the beautiful town of Portoferraio with its picturesque old harbor. Elba is also very attractive due to the fact that it is sheltered from the wind by Corsica. So even families can look forward to a relaxing yacht charter vacation. Also good is the fact that the berths in Tuscany Archipelago are usually centrally located in one of the picturesque harbor towns - unless you decide to anchor in one of the gorgeous bays. On a yacht charter in Tuscany you will find relaxed Italian lifestyle, good food and impressive nature above and below the water.

In Elba's ports and bays alone you could easily spend a week, but also the smaller islands are lovely destinations. Large parts of the area are located in the "Tuscan Archipelago National Park", the largest marine protected area in Italy. The two islands Montecristo and Pianosa cannot be visited because they are under protection, but they offer a beautiful sight from the water: Montecristo with its gray to pink granite and the former prison island of Pianosa with its Forte Teglia. The view over the water is also worthwhile, because here you can also meet whales and dolphins.

Capraia Isola, 25 nautical miles north of Elba, welcomes sailors to its one port. The associated village is high above the harbor, but fortunately there is a shuttle bus in the summer. The view over the deep blue sea and the barely inhabited island is magnificent. If you have some leisure, you can explore some of the bays or hike across the island before heading back to Elba or across to Corsica.

Southeast of Elba are Giglio and Giannutri. Little known just a few years ago, Giglio came into the public eye after the Costa Concordia disaster. The ship lay off the island for two years until it could be towed to Genoa. Now calm has returned and Giglio Porto can be approached without any problems. A visit to the old village of Giglio Castello, surrounded by a thick defensive wall and situated on a ridge in the interior of the island, is highly recommended. In the narrow streets between the densely packed houses, time seems to have stood still. Once again much smaller than Giglio is the sister island Giannutri, which offers some wonderful anchor bays. In addition, there are great diving spots off both islands. Of course, the Italian mainland coast also has a lot to offer, for example the harbors and bays around the Monte Argentario peninsula. There is also no way around the long sandy beaches of the region, especially during a family cruise, as well as the ice cream specialties of Italy.

The Tuscan island archipelago attracts with beautiful bays and great diving spots. Here the bay of Spaggia near Portoferraio. ©Marcella Miriello/AdobeStock

Sailing along the picturesque coast of Cinque Terre

North of Tuscany in Liguria stretches the scenic Cinque Terre coast, with its colorful little villages nestled against cliffs that drop steeply into the sea. From La Spezia, start just south of the coastal strip, which is just over ten kilometers long, is a World Heritage Site and also a national park. The villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, with the mountain backdrop, offer a unique sight, especially from the water. But not only these famous five are worth seeing, also the other coastal towns on the Riviera di Levante announce themselves with their colorful house facades from the sea and invite you to their old towns and seaside resorts. Because of the popularity of the coast and the many sights in a small area, the area is very busy in the summer and is a tip for the off-season.

Unique in its size in the Mediterranean, the Ligurian Sea is a protected area for marine animals such as whales. In 1999, Italy and France declared it one of the Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance. Therefore, you may encounter one or the other large mammal on your cruise here.

At Cinque Terre, every perspective is a postcard, whether from the water or on a hike ashore, as seen here overlooking Vernazza. ©Martin M303/AdobeStock

Yacht charter in two areas - A trip to Corsica

If you have a little more time for your yacht charter vacation, you can include Corsica in your trip. Capraia is the right jumping off point for those who want to sail around Cap Corse to the northwest of Corsica, e.g. to Saint Florent. The rugged west coast of the island is spectacular, but in summer sailors are threatened by the Mistral, so the weather forecast determines the course of the trip. The east coast, e.g. Bastia, is also easily accessible from Elba and much better protected. Whatever your wishes for a yacht charter in Tuscany or Corsica, we will be glad to assist you - from the first inquiry to the planning of the trip and the support during your sailing vacation.

Yacht charter Tuscany - set sail with 1a Yachtcharter!