2016-07-04 Barbatoia to Golfo di Viticcio, Isola d’Elba

The beach goers are already claiming their lounges at the beach early this morning

We depart from this delightful anchorage after a couple of wonderful relaxing days here in this beautiful bay

Once out of Barbatoia we decide to go up the west coast of Elba as we did not have the opportunity to do so last year

Along the south west coast is the well known beach called Le Tombe with it’s pebbles and grey sand

Continuing along the coast we approach the village of Pomonte

Another very hot and humid day in Elba so being by the water is the perfect place to be

The long beach under the cliffs next to the village of Pomonte

The village of Pomonte overshadowed by the high mountains behind

Further around the coast is the village of Chiessi which also has a lovely beach

We pass Chiessi and continue heading north up the west coast

Punta Polveraia with it’s white lighthouse is the mid western point of Isola D’Elba

The Mickey Mouse boat excursions takes it’s day trippers to many popular places and beaches around the island every day

The very rugged west coast has many small hilltop villages

Sun bathers positioned under their umbrellas make the most of the unusual rock formations

The entrance to the popular holiday town of San Andrea at the western end of the north coast

The pretty San Andrea bay is only suitable for mooring in when the sea and wind is totally calm

In the past, San Andrea was a commercial port where the prized Elban wines were embarked

Magnificent villas have been built high above the sea to captivate the views

There are many small stoney beaches at the foot of the steep rocky west coast

Still wonderful calm conditions as we approach Punta Del Nasuto

Marciana Marina comes into view with the lovely beach of Fenicia in the foreground

We arrive in the port of Marciana Marina and drop anchor in the bay

Ric desperately needed to find a Tim shop to buy more data etc for his phone

While waiting aboard I watched a very vocal training session of some local young rowers

The town of Marciana Marina looks really stunning from the water

The port has a small beach in the clean harbour which is surrounded by nicely painted pastel coloured houses

Once the phone issues were sorted we left the port to find a nice anchorage nearby for swimming and anchoring in overnight

We stop for a couple of hours to swim in a small bay in south of Golfo della Biodola

This was a lovely little bay however Ric thought we may have an uncomfortable night here if we stay, as there was already a small swell developing

We pass the wonderful homes on Forno Beach in Golfo Della Biodola

In the northern corner of Golfo di Viticcio is a small busy beach with car access

It is a popular beach with a bar and restaurants ashore

We drop our anchor in a nice quite position in the southern end of Golfo di Viticcio, away from the crowds

It was hard not to go for a swim in the crystal clear water here with the water temperature being mid 20’s

In the distance in the corner of the bay is a hotel with a tiny beach

The Carabinieri are checking papers of some boats in the bay!! Not us though!!

A perfect place to enjoy dinner tonight!

My turn to cook a nice mussel rissotto

Ric opens a nice red to have with our rissotto

Looking towards Capo d’Enfola

Another wonderful sunset