Biodola Beach

Biodola is the main beach of the gulf of the same name, on the north coast of Portoferraio: 600 metres of fine golden sand framed by hills of Mediterranean scrub that form a natural amphitheatre. The seabed slopes very gently, so you can wade a long way in shallow water, and the sea ranges from turquoise to blue-green. The name comes from a rush, called biodola in the Elban dialect, that once grew widely here.

Getting there

From the Portoferraio-Procchio road, turn right following the signs for Biodola and continue for about 2 km. Urban buses link the resort to Portoferraio. Parking is along the road: in August you may have to leave the car more than a hundred metres from the beach. The access road to the gulf, hit by a landslide in winter 2025-2026, has been repaired and is open.

Which wind to go with

The sea is calm and clear with levante (east wind), sirocco and southerly winds. Northerly winds, to which the gulf is open, are the ones that raise the waves.

Facilities and tips

There are lidos with umbrellas and sunbeds, changing cabins, hot showers, a children's play area, bars and restaurants, pedalo hire, sailing, surfing and diving schools and a cash machine, as well as stretches of free beach. A passage through the rocks leads to nearby Scaglieri, while a nature trail towards Procchio passes the coves of Lamaia and Porticciolo and goes through a tunnel cut into the rock during the Second World War.