Enfola Beach

Enfola is a 135-metre headland of porphyritic granite joined to Elba's north coast by a low isthmus, about 6 km from Portoferraio. Two beaches face the isthmus: the western one, larger and busier, is made of smooth grey pebbles and gravel; the eastern one has a jetty and a mooring field. The water is clear right from the shore, and the rocks on either side are full of marine life.

Getting there

From Portoferraio follow the signs for Enfola and Viticcio along the provincial road, about 6 km. The car park is right next to the beach, large but paid in high season. In summer there are seasonal bus connections from Portoferraio.

Which wind to go with

The main beach is exposed to winds from south-west to north-west, so libeccio (south-west wind) and mistral make it rough; it is sheltered from the south-east instead, and is at its best with levante (east wind) and sirocco.

Facilities and tips

It is a well-served beach: a lido with umbrellas and sunbeds, bars, restaurants, toilets, pedalo, canoe and kayak hire, a diving centre and a slipway. On the isthmus stands the former tuna fishery, active for centuries and closed in the late 1950s, which since 2010 has been the headquarters of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago. From here the Park's Enfola trail sets off: 4.4 km, about two hours, easy, through Mediterranean scrub, past the ruins of the De Filippi coastal battery to Capo d'Enfola.