Capraia — Cala Rossa
Cala Rossa Capraia · Capraia south bay
43°01.9'N 09°50.2'E
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Good holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m in 5–10m depth. In Maestrale/NW conditions when the main port (Porto di Capraia on N coast) is untenable, Cala Rossa provides the best shelter on the island. In Libeccio, reverse — the N port is better. The island is the furthest from the mainland in the Tuscan Archipelago and the most exposed.
About This Anchorage
Capraia is the only volcanic island of the Tuscan Archipelago (all others are granite or limestone) — it formed from the same volcanic system that created the Tuscan volcanic arc (Argentario, Orbetello). The island is rugged, sparsely inhabited, and one of the most authentic in the archipelago. It was used as a penal colony until 1986 (like many small Italian islands) and remains relatively unspoiled. The main port (Porto di Capraia, N coast) has a small marina. The Blue Mile swimming corridor along the town coast prohibits anchoring/navigation. Cala Rossa on the S coast is the preferred sailing anchorage — protected from the dominant NW winds.
Protected From
N · NW · NE
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free. Porto di Capraia marina berths available (~€30–€60/night for 12m yacht — book ahead in July–August).
- Maximum stay
- 5 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit. National Park rules apply. Blue Mile swimming corridor (in front of town): navigation, anchoring, and mooring prohibited — marked by 22 buoys. Standard Italian maritime rules.
Restrictions: Blue Mile swimming corridor (N coast, in front of town): no navigation, anchoring, or mooring — strictly enforced. No anchoring on Posidonia. National Park environmental rules apply throughout.
Hazards
- !Exposed remote location: Capraia is 30nm from the mainland (Livorno) and 22nm from Elba — weather windows are essential; the crossing can be rough in Libeccio or Maestrale
- !Libeccio (SW): Creates dangerous conditions on the exposed W and S coast; the main port on the N coast offers better but imperfect shelter
- !Rocky seabed: Much of Capraia's surrounding sea floor is volcanic rock — precise anchoring on sandy patches is essential; Posidonia meadows are sparse but present
- !Isolated medical situation: No hospital on the island; nearest hospital is Livorno (30nm) or mainland by helicopter; carry a comprehensive medical kit
Skipper's Tips
- →Capraia's wildlife is exceptional — endemic Tyrrhenian wall lizard (Podarcis tiliguerta), Eleonora's falcon (breeding colony), and audouin's gull nest on the island; bring binoculars
- →Cala della Mortola (the only sandy beach on the island, on the NE coast) is accessible only by sea and by a walking trail — worth visiting by dinghy in calm conditions
- →The trail system across the island is excellent — the path from Porto di Capraia to the crater lake (Stagno di Capraia) takes 2 hours and crosses the entire island
- →Pre-book Porto di Capraia marina berths for July–August via the harbour office — the marina is small and fills quickly
Facilities
Good restaurants in Capraia village. Fresh local fish. The island's capers (capperi di Capraia) are a local product. Porto di Capraia has water, fuel, and a small but adequate provisions shop.
Nearest provisions: Capraia village / Porto di Capraia (3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Best May–June and September–October. The remoteness means fewer visitors than Elba or Giglio; the island rewards sailors who make the longer passage.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
When the Libeccio arrives at 03:00 with no warning, Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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