Sansone Beach

Sansone is one of the signature beaches of Elba's north coast, in the municipality of Portoferraio, between Portoferraio and Procchio. About 240 metres long, it is made of fine white shingle at the foot of pale cliffs, and it is this light-coloured bottom that gives the water its remarkable clarity.

Getting there

Take the Portoferraio–Enfola–Viticcio provincial road: after about 5 km you leave the car and walk down a path of around ten minutes, narrow and partly uneven, with a short climb after the little Sorgente beach. Comfortable shoes are a better choice than flip-flops. The path was closed by a landslide after the storm of September 2025 and reopened to pedestrians in May 2026 by order of the Municipality. Parking spaces are few and paid, and in August they fill up early.

Which wind to go with

This is the beach to choose on days of sirocco, south wind and libeccio (south-west wind). With the sirocco the sea is calm and the white bottom stays clearly visible even where the water is deep.

Facilities and tips

There is a beach establishment with umbrellas, a bar and light meals, canoe and pedal boat hire, as well as stretches of free beach. Underwater, rocks, caves and crevices make it one of the best places on the island for snorkelling. You can paddle around the sea stack on the left by canoe; it has a narrow cave you can swim through holding your breath, but only if you are experienced.