Patresi Beach

Patresi Mare is the small beach below the village of Patresi, on the west coast of Elba. More a cove than a sandy beach, it is made of medium and large granite pebbles, split in two by big boulders, with the Punta Polveraia lighthouse rising at one end. The water is very clear and the seabed, rich in fish, crustaceans and marine plants, draws snorkellers.

Getting there

Patresi lies on the provincial road along the western side of the island, halfway between Marciana and Pomonte. From the village, at La Guardia, follow the winding tarmac road signposted to the sea for about 1.2 km. You park along the access road: a few free spaces, the rest paid. From July to September the Marebus shuttle runs.

Which wind to go with

The sea is calm with the levante (east wind) and the sirocco, which blow off the land. Being on the west coast, the cove is exposed to westerly winds: with the mistral or the libeccio (south-west wind) the waves break straight onto the pebbles.

Facilities and tips

Next to the boat jetty there is a concrete platform with loungers and umbrellas for hire, plus a small bar with a terrace and showers; a boardwalk helps you cross the stones, but reef shoes are still useful. The platform is a launch point for canoes and kayaks along a coast of coves reachable only by sea. From the lighthouse area, on clear days, you can see Capraia and Corsica.