Elba — Cala Viticcio
Viticcio Bay · Cala Viticcio Elba
42°48.7'N 10°16.0'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Excellent holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m on clean sand with excellent holding. The beach mooring buoys provide an alternative to free anchoring — well-suited for peak season when swing room is at a premium. In Libeccio/Maestrale above F4, the bay is untenable — move to the Portoferraio harbour or Marciana Marina for shelter.
About This Anchorage
Cala Viticcio is one of Elba's most popular NW coast anchorages — a beautiful bay with a white sand beach, turquoise water, and the rugged granite hills behind. The village of Viticcio (no facilities) sits above the bay. Mooring buoys supplement the free anchoring area. The bay is within reach of Portoferraio (4nm E), the main town and ferry port of Elba, named for its iron (ferro) mining heritage that sustained the island from Etruscan times through the Roman period.
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
N · NW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free to anchor outside the buoy field.
- Maximum stay
- 5 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit. National Park general rules apply. Standard Italian maritime rules.
Restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia. 150m beach exclusion in season (Jun 15–Sep 15). No campfires. No loud music after 23:00.
Hazards
- !Libeccio from SW: Strongest and most dangerous wind for this anchorage — builds quickly and creates a confused sea in the bay; immediate departure to Portoferraio required if F4+ Libeccio forecast
- !Maestrale (NW): Also reaches the bay — though the bay geometry provides more protection from NW than SW
- !Summer crowds: July–August the bay has 30–50 boats anchored; swing room is tight; back down firmly to ensure good set before paying out full scope
- !Rock outcrops on bay margins: The eastern and western headlands have rock outcrops below the surface — stay in the sandy central area
Skipper's Tips
- →Portoferraio's Napoleon connection is genuinely fascinating — visit the Villa dei Mulini (Napoleon's island residence) and Villa San Martino (summer villa, 5km out of town)
- →Elba's iron ore history is visible in the red-stained rock at the old mines on the SE coast — the mineral-rich hills give the island its extraordinary colour palette
- →The Portoferraio ferry terminal is the entry point for most visitors to Elba — the channel between the mainland (Piombino) and Elba (12nm) can be rough in Libeccio; plan crossings carefully
- →Elba produces an excellent local wine (Elba DOC) — try the Ansonica white and the Aleatico red; both available from cellars in Portoferraio
Facilities
One or two seasonal beach bars/restaurants at the beach. Full facilities at Portoferraio (4nm E) — excellent seafood restaurants and the famous Napoleon Museum (Villa dei Mulini).
Nearest provisions: Portoferraio (4nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
May–September is the main season. Elba is extremely popular in July–August — anchorages fill quickly; mooring buoys are the best option. May and early June offer exceptional conditions with the island at its most beautiful (flowering macchia).
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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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