Trip 3
Capoliveri Mines
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday From 9:30 am to 2:30 pm duration: 5 hours
- Four stops with a half-hour swim each
- Price: €40 per person
- Children 0-3 years: free
- Children 4-12 years: 50% discount
- Pet friendly
- Onboard bar
- Tickets available on board
- Departure from Marina di Campo port, at the last dock
- Boarding starts half an hour before departure
Beloved by the local residents, the adventurous, and those seeking tranquillity: this is the Boat Trip to Punta Calamita and the Capoliveri Mines. Spend five hours surrounded by nature as you uncover Elba Island in all its secluded charm and beauty — an experience not to be missed.
The excursion sets off from the port of Marina di Campo, from where we sail gently along the south-eastern coast of the island, staying close to the shore for a calm and scenic journey.
One of the first stops is Cala del Fico, a cave tucked between Ripa Nera and Capo di Fonza, with a central entrance, ideal for snorkeling enthusiasts.
Indeed, fins, a mask, and snorkel are indispensable!As we continue our tour along the south-eastern coast, we will discover, among many others, the Spiaggia degli Acquarilli and the Spiaggia del Felciaio, charming small sandy beaches boasting vivid colours, as well as the delightful Peducelli, Pareti, and Stecchi beaches. The latter is graced by a stunning jetty, perfect for diving in and capturing breathtaking photos.
Just a little further along, we finally catch sight of the Spiaggia dell’Innamorata, another essential stop on our journey. Its name comes from the legend of a young bride-to-be who, in an effort to save her beloved, plunged into the sea right at this famous beach, vanishing among the rocks.
This legend is commemorated every 14th of July with a spectacular nocturnal torchlight procession. Just off the shore from Innamorata Beach, a little further out, we find the Gemini Islands, two small islets that frame the Cape Calamita promontory within the municipality of Capoliveri. This spot is also renowned for diving, so it’s common to see boats with divers ready to explore the waters around the Islands.
As we pass the Innamorata promontory, we are welcomed by the Cave of the Monk Seal, majestic in its splendour, rising 12 metres high and featuring a small, steep beach inside, accessible by swimming. The Cave marks the beginning of the Seagulls’ Coast, where, true to its name, seagulls live undisturbed.
Continuing along the route, we come across another enchanting cave, home to delightful creatures: the Goats’ Cave. Inside, you’ll often spot wild goats—adept climbers!—enjoying a summer rest, while in colder months they seek shelter further inland. At this point, we reach the true highlights of the journey: the remarkable Capoliveri Mines.
The Juniper Mine is the island’s only underground mine and boasts the largest magnetite deposit in all of Europe. Set against the wild backdrop of this coastline, the ruins of the old mines rise dramatically, imparting a unique sense of faded grandeur and allure.
Just a little further along lies the Punta Calamita Mine—a magnificent and imposing site, where today only the abandoned machinery remains, a silent witness to the mines’ closure in 1981. The incredible beaches near the mines, including Spiaggia del Cannello and Punta Bianca, are truly one of a kind, thanks to the presence of minerals such as haematite, limonite, magnetite, pyrite, and iron. These give the sandy and pebbled shores a stunning palette of colours, ranging from bright turquoise to deep graphite black.
It’s a view that stays with you, especially when combined with images of wild, secluded beaches that can be reached only by sea or, sometimes, by foot along rugged natural trails—ideal for complete relaxation. On the way back, as always, we’ll have the wonderful opportunity to look out for dolphins—let’s keep our fingers crossed!
Discover these and many more fascinating stories on what is surely the most spectacular boat trip ever.
