Coves and small beaches on the Elba Island
Here is the list of the delicious semi-deserted and lesser-known coves of Elba
After viewing our guide on the beaches of Elba, are you planning your holiday in the height of the season but are you looking for uncrowded and semi-hidden beaches? Maybe where you can swim with only your partner? This is a continuously updated list where we will try to list the small coves and the most hidden bays where you can spend a few hours in complete tranquility in the sea of Elba.
Obviously we must tell you that to reach most of these beaches you will have to walk on some steep and dirt paths and not all of them are easily accessible, however some sacrifices will be rewarded by the experience of having a small cove on the Isand just for you and your friends.
Caletta Le Buche
The Caletta Le Buche in Colle d'Orano, a little-visited beach in the small hamlet of Marciana, can be reached from path number 136 which starts from the Hotel Villa Rita in Colle d'Orano which passes first near the houses and then inside the vegetation, walk lasting about 10 minutes, not too difficult. This beach is made up of pebbles and gravel and is not very popular even in the high peak season, the seabed is very beautiful, snorkeling is possible.
La Crocetta beach
La Crocetta beach, a small cove of about 60 meters, near the town of Marciana Marina.It is possible to park the car along the road from where the path starts, quite steep at first immersed in the Mediterranean bushes and subsequently obtaining the characteristic sculpted steps in the rock, thanks to which is also called the beach of the hundred steps. Baia della Crocetta has wonderful colors thanks to the crystal clear water and the bottom composed of clear granite stones.
The beach is made up of coarse stones that do not make it comfortable to lie down directly with the beach towel but the use of an inflatable mattress is recommended. La Crocetta is enclosed by a white granite cliff, partly covered in vegetation, a unique and private location where you can snorkel or sunbathe.
Le Sprizze beach
Le Sprizze is about 70 meters long in Marciana Marina, after having parked the car along the road you can reach the beach via a steep, well-marked path that passes through a holm oak forest.
The Sprizze beach in made of small dark pebbles and is divided in two by a reef of rocks where you can sunbathe, a very wild beach and on the shore you can find the posedonia that covers the first part of the shore.
Cotoncello
Cotoncello beach is one of the most famous coves on the Island , a natural swimming pool enclosed by granite rocks smoothed by the sea, unfortunately very popular, can be reached via a wonderful path from the beach of Sant 'Andrea.
Cotoncello has a golden sand bottom, enclosed by the vegetation at the back and the beautiful coastal sides, due to the small size in the high peak season it will be difficult to find a place on the beach but it will be necessary to place the beach towel on the smooth rocks ideal place for sunbathing all day long.
Lamaia beach
Small cove that can be reached from Biodola beach, Lamaia beach has a length of about 60 meters and a backdrop composed of fine and golden sand covered in some sections by a layer of posedonia.
The cove of Lamaia is located in a unique bay, completely surrounded by vegetation and without any construction nearby, ideal for snorkeling. Protected from winds except those from the north.
You can also reach Lamaia beach by taking a pedal boat or kayak at Biodola beach and following the coast to the left.
Forno beach
The Forno beach rather than a cove is a small beach, about 100 meters in length, is located near the most famous beaches of Biodola and Scaglieri .
Forno beach is very crowded in the peak season, and as it does not have parking spaces we recommend you to reach it by scooter, motorbike or bicycle.
Made of golden sand and gently slopes making it suitable also for children, is possible to rent an umbrella, deck chairs and sun beds.
La Sorgente beach or Acquavivetta
La Sorgente beach is part of the white beaches of Portoferraio, and is located a few meters from the famous Sansone, to reach it you need to walk on a well-marked path for about 10 - 15 minutes.
La Sorgente beach is made up of smooth pebbles of white gravel that bring out the clearness of the seabed, ideal for snorkelers, on the left of the beach there is one of the most photographed rocks on the island where you can go diving, behind which it starts the beach of Sansone.
La Sorgente beach is very popular and has no services, we advise you not to reach it with small children , especially for the path on the way back.
Acquaviva beach
Acquaviva beach is a small cove surrounded by Mediterranean bushes and the beach is made up of sand, small pebbles and gravel, very beautiful with winds from the south such as the sirocco.
The seabed that slopes gently and is also suitable for children. On the sides of the beach you can sunbathe on the rocks.
To reach the beach of Acquaviva you must follow the signs for the Enfola promontory until you get to the detour well signposted by the signs "Acquaviva beach".
Cala dei Frati
This small cove of about 80 meters is located near of the Ghiaie beach, is made of pebbles of white gravel that make the seabed transparent and colors ranging from light blue to intense blue, due to the cliff that surrounds it during the sun is not very broad.
Cala dei Frati beach can only be reached by sea, so we recommend renting a pedal boat in one of the nearby beaches, such as Le Ghiaie, La Padulella or Capo Bianco or swimming by the nearby Spiaggia delle Ghiaie.
Cala di Zupignano
The Zupignano beach in Rio nell'Elba, is located near Bagnaia beach and can only be reached by sea.
Is made up of brown and red sand and gravel with shades that vary from light to dark, on the sides and on the back. surrounded by very beautiful high cliffs for the characteristic horizontally colored layered composition.
Le Secche Beach
Very small cove of about 70 meters in Rio nell'Elba, the bottom of the beach is made up of sand and small gravel, this beach can be reached only by sea, being very careful of the rocks that emerge from the water and make it difficult to approach to the shore with boats.
Secche beach is suitable for snorkelers, thanks to the many rocks that form excellent hiding places for marine animals.
Rivercina
Rivercina beach is a cove in Rio nell'Elba, near Nisportino beach, it can only be reached by sea, the seabed is composed of dark red and brown sand and gravel, behind the Rivercina beach there are high rocks which do not allow any crossing via overland paths.
The Rivercina beach is sheltered only from the winds that blow from the east and very exposed to all the others, for this and for the difficulty to be reached it is among the least frequented coves of the Island .
Cala delle alghe
Cala della Alghe beach is a small and delightful cove located in the north-eastern tip of the Island not very wide, it has a sand and gravel bottom covered largely by the leaves of posidonia beached. The water is crystal clear and is suitable for snorkeling enthusiasts and is sheltered from the winds.
On the left of Cala delle Alghe there is a cliff suitable for fishing lovers.
The large and shaded paid parking is shared with Frugoso beach, inside you can find a small bar.
Marina di Gennaro, Luisi d'Angelo and Porticciolo in Rio Marina
The coves of Marina di Gennaro, Luisi d'Angelo and Porticciolo, are small beaches accessible by pedestrian paths that start from the Path of Love, a panoramic walk that starts from the pier in Rio Marina, after passing Appiani tower, and runs along the south coast of Rio marina.
The first beach we meet is Marina di Gennaro, with a sand and gravel bottom and transparent water, it can be reached via a steep path which starts directly from the asphalt road above.
Continuing on the path of love we find the beach of Luisi D'Angelo, a small cove of sand and gravel very wild and little frequented. The cove surrounded by Mediterranean bushes can be reached via a dirt path that starts on the left of the paved road.
l Porticciolo beach in Rio Marina is made up of coarse sand and at the ends there are rocks, characteristic is the mushroom-shaped one in the cliff on the right. It can be reached by continuing the asphalted road that runs along the Rio marina promenade to the end where you will find a small dirt path that leads to the beach.
We thank Valeria Nicolao for the photo of Luisi d'Angelo beach.
We thank Sara Trivellato for the photo of Porticciolo beach
Caletta di Focardo
Small beach that can be reached via a path that starts on the right of the most famous beach of Naregno.
Located just below the Forte Focardo, the gravel bottom is very small in size but you can also lie on the rocks along the path, an excellent place reserved for those who want a moment of tranquility near the beach of Naregno.
We thank Isabelle Guillaume for sending us the photo of the Caletta under the forte focardo
Peducelli beach
The cove of Peducelli in Capoliveri can be reached via a not very marked path that starts a few meters before reaching the beach of Madonna delle Grazie, there are no parking lots near the beach.
Peducelli beach stretches for just over 100 meters and has a beautiful backdrop made of fine sand of light red color and in the center of the beach a small hill with vegetation allows you to shelter in the cool even in the hottest hours.
The sea water slopes gently and there are some flat rocks that emerge from the sea and make it suitable for snorkelers.
Buzzancone or Cera beach
Buzzancone beach is a small cove near the most famous Calanova.
Buzzancone beach is enclosed between two large cliffs covered with Mediterranean bushes that gradually reach the sea, inside there is the small cove of Buzzancone which extends for about 50 meters and is made of a sandy bottom and small pebbles of gravel, can be reached via a path in about 20 minutes on foot. Buzzancone beach is excellent for those who love tranquility and for snorkelers.
Remaiolo beach
Is a small cove equipped with all comforts, umbrella rental, bar, restaurant, beach volleyball court and pedal boat rental and canoes.
Stecchi beach
Stecchi beach in Capoliveri is a beautiful cove close to Madonna delle Grazie beach.On the left is possible to dive using an old pier while in the central area the seabed slopes gently and is suitable for children in the first part and snorkelers or those who want to take a nice swim in the beautiful crystal clear water.
To reach the Stecchi beach, we recommend you parking your car in the free parking at Madonna delle Grazie beach and continue on foot along a comfortable dirt path that runs along the coast passing the "swimming pools" and Maretto beach until you get to the beach.
Contessa beach
Is a small bay that can be reached from Laconella beach, it is very small and protected from the winds thanks to the cliffs on its sides.
The backdrop of the Contessa beach is made up of dark gravel and the water forms a small natural swimming pool.
The path to reach the beach starts on the left of Laconella beach, where you will have to climb the remains of an old WWII bunker where you can admire the breathtaking panorama of Lacona beach. After a few meters of dirt track you can go down to the small cove.
Do you know other coves on the Elba Island that we haven't included in our article? contact us on our social channels or to our email