Elba — Baia di Fetovaia
Fetovaia Bay · Cala Fetovaia
42°43.9'N 10°08.6'E
Depth
5–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Excellent holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in 5–8m on sand. The SW coast of Elba is exposed to Libeccio (SW wind) and Maestrale — in either above F3–4, the bay becomes untenable. The approach from the S around Punta Fetovaia requires clearing the offshore rocks marked on the chart.
About This Anchorage
Fetovaia is one of Elba's most beautiful and intimate bays — a small sandy cove framed by granite boulders and Mediterranean scrub on the SW coast. The water is clear and the beach accessed easily by dinghy. The bay is popular but has less capacity than the larger northern bays, maintaining a more intimate atmosphere. No facilities ashore at the beach itself. The hilltop town of Pomonte (2km inland) is a traditional Elban village worth a short hike.
Protected From
S · SE · E
Exposed To
W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Maximum stay
- 3 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit. National Park general rules. Standard Italian maritime rules.
Restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia. 150m beach exclusion in season. The access road to Fetovaia is single-track — do not anchor in the approach channel used by the local dive boat operator.
Hazards
- !Libeccio exposure: SW wind is direct — bay is a fair-weather anchorage only; departure required in Libeccio above F3
- !Punta Fetovaia rocks: The headland has rocks to the W — clear by 200m when rounding
- !Limited capacity: The bay can hold ~10–15 boats; peak season arrivals after noon may find the anchorage full
- !Dinghy beach landing: The beach approach can have 0.5m swell even in calm conditions — stand up in the dinghy and watch the sets
Skipper's Tips
- →Snorkeling on the granite rocks at the bay margins is excellent — the water clarity and marine life (octopus, sea urchins, sea bass) are outstanding
- →The sunset from Fetovaia facing W over the Tyrrhenian is spectacular — time your arrival to catch it
- →Pomonte (2km inland walk) has a small bar and excellent views of the bay from the hillside — worth the 30-minute walk
- →From Fetovaia, the round-island circuit continues to Punta Nera and the dramatic W coast cliffs — spectacular motor sailing in calm conditions
Facilities
One seasonal beach bar/restaurant at Fetovaia beach. Marina di Campo (8nm E) has full facilities.
Nearest provisions: Marina di Campo (8nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
May–September. Outstanding in May when the macchia (scrub) is in flower and the water is starting to warm. July–August crowded but manageable.
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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