Calanova Beach

Calanova lies on Elba's south-eastern coast, along the Costa dei Gabbiani in the municipality of Capoliveri, between the beaches of Istia and Malpasso. It is a cove of about 80 metres of sand mixed with small pebbles, surrounded by a pine wood and Mediterranean scrub. The seabed slopes gently, with rocky patches that show clearly on calm days, and from the shore you can see the coast of Porto Azzurro and Forte Focardo.

Getting there

From Capoliveri follow the signs for Straccoligno; beyond that beach the road becomes a dirt track through the pine wood, ending at a large paid car park shaded by pines above the beach. Past the gate marking private property, walk down a short stretch of about a hundred metres on uneven ground.

Which wind to go with

The side headlands protect it from ponente (west wind) and libeccio (south-west wind): with southerly, south-westerly and westerly winds the water is clear and calm. It is exposed to north-easterly winds such as the grecale.

Facilities and tips

There is a bar-restaurant with a sea view, with umbrella, sunbed, kayak and pedalo hire, a boat lane and a small mooring point. The rocks on either side and the clear water are good for snorkelling and swimming along the coast. Calanova is also the base, on foot or by kayak, for the wilder coves nearby: Istia along a short coastal path, Buzzancone in a 15-20 minute walk and Ferrato less than half a kilometre away.