ISLAND OF ELBA

Freediving cruise | Tuscany, Italy

About your cruise

Sail away with us, among the islands of the Tuscan archipelago, to discover unspoilt bays flooded with the perfumes of Mediterranean shrubs. Having a sailing holiday in Tuscany is a unique chance to explore the wonderful open-air museum offered by our archipelago, which is also the largest protected marine area in Europe.

Setting sail from Punta Ala, we’ll reach the coasts of Elba Island to discover unspoilt bays with fine sands, swimming in the crystal-clear sea and visiting the beautiful fishing villages, where you can try the specialities of Italian cookery or you can shop from crafts stalls choosing Italian hand-made objects.

Elba is the main island of the Tuscany archipelago, with its enchanting coasts and bays, and it is ideal for a sailing holiday, being very green all year round and offering continuous discoveries. Just imagine seven days of pure relaxation while the captain and his crew take care of your every need. Freediving is how you’ll spend your mornings, and the afternoons are yours to choose either to sunbathe, dive more, hike one of the most panoramic trails of the island or stroll into the picturesque fishing villages you wish to visit.

You will be embarking on a luxury sailboat, with all the comfort you’ll need to relax and enjoy your holidays.

About the sailing yacht

Our modern sailing yachts have every luxury you need to enjoy wonderful times on the water and are suitable for both coastal and offshore sailing. They are also perfect for a week-long cruise as well as for learning freediving, helping in sailing, practicing yoga and other workshops or just enjoy the trip and go for a swim. The boats we operate can accommodate up to 10 guests, yet our cruises welcome up to 6 participants for more comfort onboard. Whether you travel as a group, a family with children or alone, you can choose to either charter a cabin or a boat with us, we will then organize everything for you

With its classic, single hulled template, the monohull is the original sailboat. Designed with performance in mind, monohulls are the best choice whether the conditions are flat and calm or rough and wild. Each of the four spacious cabins includes a private head, plenty of storage and adequate head room. The contemporarily-styled sailboat comfortably sleeps up to 8 guests including crew. On deck, the sloping wraparound side decks allow for safe and seamless movement between the cockpit, foredeck and living spaces.

Nicolas will be your skipper onboard. He is the founder of Freediving Cruises and has been running sailing and freediving cruises in Croatia, Egypt, Türkiye, Greece and Italy since 2021.

Nicolas started freediving in 2018 on the island of Koh Tao, Thailand and shortly after, signed up for a freediving educational program in one of the most prestigious freediving schools in the world, becoming a freediving instructor. Having grown up by the ocean in his native Brittany, he is passionate about the sea and any aquatic activities. Having in mind the project of founding Freediving Cruises for many years, he eventually became a professional skipper in 2020 to make his dream come true.

Realizing how much Mediterranean countries had to offer in terms of ocean beauties, either islands, pristine waters or marine life, he decided to offer his services and share his knowledge, skills and experience with other sea lovers.

What's to be planned

• Foods onboard
• Flight tickets & transfers to/from harbor
• Land excursions and visit entrance fees
• Insurance and visa related fees
• Other diving rental equipment
• Staff / crew gratuities

Island of Elba route overview

Departure / Return : Punta Ala, Tuscany, Italy

Detailed route

• Meeting point : Punta Ala – Tuscany, Italy
  

This route is given for information purposes. During freediving cruises, you are free to express route suggestions. Ask your skipper for suggestions.

Day 1 : Punta Ala – Punta Calamita

Boarding, general and safety briefing with the crew at the marina. We will then sail out towards the island of Elba, away from the bustling mainland, immediately bringing a taste of freedom and adventure to our holidays. We will anchor in a quiet bay for the night. Stress-free day with some freediving lectures in the evening.

Day 2 : Punta Calamita – Golfo di Campo

After a relaxed morning including stretching and breathing exercises, we will have our first freediving session, In the afternoon, we will then put the sails out and make our way along the southern coast of Elba, less populated part of the island, yet as fascinating. Lectures and dry training on the way. Anchoring at night in a quiet and sheltered bay. Possibility to schedule a late afternoon freediving session, either at depth or by the shore.

Day 3 : Golfo di Campo – Capo Sant’Andrea

On our way to the Sant’Andrea cape, the main attraction of the day will be the shipwreck Elviscot, Sunk in 1972, and only 200 meters away from the shore of Pomonte, the wreck lies at a maximum depth of 12 meters, making it a perfect spot to fun dive as it is accessible to all levels of freedivers. We will then keep sailing along the coats and spend the night in Capo Sant’Andrea.

Day 4 : Capo Sant’Andrea – Golfo di Viticcio

We will spend the morning in Capo Sant’Andrea, known locally as the “small island within the island” as it is the most beautiful and naturally preserved area, a union between the sea and the mountains, Lectures and workshops in afternoon, with the possibility to perform a shallow water freediving session in a secluded bay. Lectures and workshops or just chill and enjoy this quiet and peaceful evening on the northern side of the island.

Day 5 : Golfo di Viticcio – Portoferraio

On our possible only rest day of the week, enjoy a quiet morning with some meditation, stretching and yoga on the beach. Heading East and practicing sailing on the way, as well as a few stops to swim and discover hidden natural gems. Lectures and workshops in the late afternoon, possibility to stay in Portoferraio marina for the night.

Day 6 : Portoferraio – Porto Azzurro

Visit of the “Costa Bianca”, named after the colour of its granite cliffs and the island of Scoglietto, part of the UNESCO Tuscan Island Biosphere Reserve. Possibility to visit and stay in beautiful Porto Azzurro at the end of the day, a charming seaside town sitting at the foot of a Spanish fort. Alternative is to anchor in a small bay on the eastern side of Elba to keep practicing freediving. Dry training and lectures in the evening.

Day 7 : Porto Azzurro – Punta Ala

Morning relaxation and freediving session in order to obtain freediving certifications. Lectures and workshops before heading back to Punta Ala in late afternoon. Enjoy this last night and celebrate the end of a week full of memories, the beginning of new friendships and the beginning of your freediving journey.

Bonus

If the weather and the schedule allows it, we may extend our sailing trip to the island of Capraia. Being a real Mediterranean pearl, this is the third largest island of the archipelago, situated northwest from Elba, it’s a volcanic rock in the middle of the sea, with rich and luscious vegetation, it is set in the middle of a clear sea teeming with fish. Very near to Corsica, this island is the wildest and most natural of the Tuscan islands.

Useful information

How to get to the marina of Punta Ala ?

• Closest airport : Galileo Galilei Pisa international airport, Italy (120 km)
• Alternative airport : Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino – Roma airport, Italy (190km)
• From Pisa airport to Punta Ala marina : 131 km (90 minutes)

Departure and return times

• Departure on Saturday at 5pm
• Return on Friday at 6pm

Provisioning

We can arrange for provisions for you before departure. A hostess can also be hired and join us on board to make your trip a real holiday. Please let us know in your quote request.

Can the route be modified ?

Please be aware that your itinerary needs to remain flexible for safety matters, as it is influenced by external factors such as weather, wind and sea conditions, technical issues and how busy it is. We have found that predetermined itineraries simply don’t work, and that you should trust your skipper for local and up to date advice based on your preferences.

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Visas requirements

• European citizens can enter Italy with a valid ID or passport

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section for more general information.