Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Pisa and take some time to explore the town. Wander through the Piazza dei Miracoli to admire the Torre Pendente (Leaning Tower), then discover Pisa’s quieter corners such as Via del Borgo Stretto, Corso Italia, and the dramatic palaces of the old city.

You may leave your luggage at the hotel before checking in, which is available any time after 2:00 p.m. We will gather together in the hotel lobby at 5:00 p.m. before heading out for dinner at a traditional trattoria and wine bar.

Ben arrivati!

The adventure begins in earnest today as we journey from the mainland to the jewel of the Tuscan Archipelago: Elba Island. After breakfast, we'll transfer to the coastal town of Piombino, where you can grab a quick lunch before we board our ferry. The one-hour crossing to Portoferraio offers a stunning, panoramic first glimpse of the island's coastline.

Upon arrival, we'll settle into our hotel where you can freshen up and officially meet our partners for the week, Leigh and Nello. We'll then dive right into the Elba experience with an afternoon paddle, perfectly timed to enjoy a spectacular sunset from the water. We'll return to the hotel to dry off and reconvene for a relaxing group dinner, sharing stories of the day's journey.

After breakfast, we'll launch directly from our hotel beach at Pareti. Today's paddle takes us along the stunning Sout coast of the island.

After the Lido di Capoliveri, we will be paddling close to shore along the shallow southern coast, under the watchful remains of WWII bunkers. Shallow reefs guide us toward Felciaio, where the scents of the Mediterranean scrub blend with the sea breeze.

We glide past the gentle shores of Norsi and reach the striking serpentinite cliffs, dotted with prickly pears, before arriving at the dark sands of Acquarilli. The sea shifts from bright blue to the gray of coastal rocks, then back to rosemary blooms as we round Capo ai Pini. Finally, we paddle over the shallow, pebbly seabed that leads us to the beach of Margidore,, where our excursion ends with a private van transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and night at the hotel.

After breakfast we head to Marina di Campo and set our kayaks on the wide sandy beach. From there we begin paddling across the clear waters of the gulf.

We move slowly through the small harbor, past fishing boats and old work vessels, each carrying its own story. Without tourists around, it’s easy to imagine the life of the port: sailors, traders, and workers loading granite and wine.

After passing the harbor tower we will enter Galenzana Bay, where the shallow Bagnolo reef is full of life and perfectly visible from our kayaks. From Punta Bardella the coast rises steeply; we visit the Grotta del Bue Marino and the double‑entrance cave of the Vescovo. At Capo Poro, cliffs tower above us, topped by the lighthouse and WWII cannon posts.

We continue along rugged cliffs where goats lick salt from the rocks, reach the dark beach of Colle, and explore Grotta di Mare, glowing in the spring light. Then we paddle into Cavoli Bay, with its white sand and crystal waters, a perfect spot to pause and enjoy the peace.

Back on the water, we reach Seccheto and glide through turquoise waters, passing old coastal quarries now become "natural pools" and giant granite shapes. Finally, we arrive at Fetovaia Bay, a jewel of emerald water, white sand, and green pine forest. After enjoying the view, we land and end the excursion, with a private van transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and night at the hotel.

After breakfast, launching from Pareti we paddle to Innamorata beach. We circle the Gemini Isles and pause at the “Grotta della Spiaggia,” a small cave with a hidden beach just big enough for us and our kayaks. Continuing along the coast, Punta Calamita greets us with the remains of mines closed in the 1980s, giving the area a stark, post‑industrial feel. Beyond it lies the wide Spiaggione delle Miniere and the Sassi Turchini beach, where limestone pebbles hide fragments of malachite and azurite.

Past the rock of Remaiolo, we round Punta di Ripalti, home to the largest Mediterranean colony of herring gulls, up to 250,000 in spring. The towering cliffs here, rising more than 100 meters, feel ancient and wild, with goats roaming the rocks.

Now on the island’s eastern side, with the mainland in view, we reach Capo delle Brache and the Ginevro mine, the last to close in Elba’s centuries‑old mining history. Leaving behind its old loading pier, we arrive at Ginevro beach. We then paddle past the beautiful beach of Stagnone and, after rounding Capo Calvo, slip into a small cave before stopping at Sassi Neri beach. Here we walk inland to discover the little lake that gives the beach its name, a pool of slightly sulphurous fresh water, hidden among dense Mediterranean scrub................

After breakfast we will drive to Cavo, the fishing village where todays kayaking trip starts. The coastline between Cavo and Nisporto, our arrival point, is a succession of wild cliffs and breathtaking views. Here the sea meets rocky walls that plunge into crystal-clear waters, forming small coves and hidden inlets. The colors shift constantly, from the green of Mediterranean scrub to the red of iron-rich rocks, and the deep blue of the sea. It’s a stretch of coast that offers authentic emotions, perfect for those who love walking along cliffside paths or exploring secret, silent corners by kayak.

After breakfast we will head to Portoferraio to start our paddling day toward the Biodola beach. We will find, among many others, Sansone Beach, a stunning pebbles beach. We will pass  through the arch of the Faraglione degli Argonauti. The legend says that they rested here after taking possession of the Golden Fleece. 

We continue around the Enfola peninsula, where the compact, sinuous cliffs invite climbing. Once past Punta di Capo Enfola and skirting the rock called "Nave" a majestic view opens before us: the granite massif of Mount Capanne with Corsica in the distance.

Along the cliffs, a formation resembling a giant shark’s mouth suddenly appears. If we have flat water we will slip in the stone shark mouth, and inside we find the grotto called Sbruffo. 

We will then paddle along the Gulf of Viticcio, where the water sparkles in shades of turquoise and emerald, and the coastline alternates between rocky outcrops and small coves. Rounding Punta Penisola, we reach the tiny hamlet of Forno, tucked onto a golden sandy beach. The village feels timeless, with its handful of houses clustered close to the shore.

Continuing on, we pass Scaglieri beach, another small but charming stretch of sand, before arriving at the wide and welcoming shore of Biodola where our adventure of the day ends driving back via private van to your accommodation. Dinner and night at the hotel.

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll transfer you by private van to Pisa Airport or Pisa Centrale train station for our final goodbyes.

From there, it’s easy to continue your journey, whether exploring Tuscany, traveling further afield, or heading home.

Ciao ciao, ci vediamo nella prossima avventura!