Elba Island Kayak Tour

Crystal Waters, Quiet Coves, Slow Travel

Elba Island is a place where the sea feels close, clear, and alive.
Our Elba kayak tour invites you to explore its coastline at a gentle rhythm, paddling along granite cliffs, slipping into turquoise water for a swim, and discovering coves that can only be reached by kayak.

Duration 8 days/7nights

Activities: Cultural/Kayaking

Physical rating: Moderate - With some challenge

What Makes Elba Perfect for Kayaking

Elba’s coastline is a mosaic of colors and textures:

  • transparent water that glows in the sun
  • smooth granite shaped by wind and waves
  • tiny beaches hidden between cliffs
  • marine life visible just below the surface

The sea here is usually calm, making it ideal for beginners, families, and anyone who wants a peaceful day on the water.

What to Expect on the Tour

We begin with a relaxed introduction to the equipment and a short safety briefing.
Once on the water, we follow the coastline, exploring sheltered bays, rock formations, and quiet corners where you can pause, float, and simply breathe.

There’s time for swimming, snorkeling, taking photos, or just resting your paddle and enjoying the view.
Every tour moves at the group’s natural pace, unhurried, spacious, and attentive.

Who This Experience Is For

This tour is designed for:

  • beginners who want a gentle introduction to sea kayaking
  • travelers who love nature and quiet places
  • anyone who prefers slow travel over speed

No previous kayaking experience is required.

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1. Meeting and Dinner in Pisa

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!

DAY 2. Mainland to Elba Island & A Sunset Welcome

Breakfast.
We will transfer to Piombino and before boarding the ferry to Portoferraio you'll be able to grab a panino. The one hour crossing offers a beautiful first view of Elba’s coastline.

Once we arrive, we will settle into our hotel, and meet Italay By Kayak team members 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.

Dinner at the hotel.
Night at the hotel.

Italy outdoor adventure

DAY 3. Coastal Kayak from Pareti to Margidore - one way trip

Breakfast.
We will launch directly from our hotel beach at Pareti and paddle along the beautiful South coast of Elba.

We will follow the shoreline past Lido di Capoliveri and Norsi, moving through shallow, clear water scented with Mediterranean scrub.

The route continues along the striking serpentinite cliffs toward Acquarilli, then around Capo ai Pini where colours shift from bright blue to the gray of coastal rocks.

We finish our day after paddling over the shallow, pebbly seabed that leads us to the beach of Margidore before returning to the hotel by private van.

Dinner at the hotel.
Night at the hotel.

DAY 4. Marina di Campo - Fetovaia 8mi - one way trip

Breakfast.

We will head to Marina di Campo and set our kayaks on its beach before paddling across the clear waters of the gulf.

We will move through the small harbor and into Galenzana Bay, where the shallow reef is full of life.

The coastline rises toward Capo Poro with its lighthouse and wartime posts, then softens again as we reach Cavoli Bay with its white sand and crystal water.

On our way to Seccheto we will pass old coastal quarries that have now become "natural pools" and giant granite shapes. We will end our excursion in Fetovaia Bay and return to the hotel by private van.

Dinner at the hotel.
Night at the hotel.

DAY 5. Pareti -Naregno 9mi - one way trip

Breakfast.

Launching from Pareti, we will paddle to Innamorata and circle the Gemini Isles before pausing at the small hidden beach inside the Grotta della Spiaggia.

We will continue along Punta Calamita and the old mining coast, passing the wide Spiaggione delle Miniere and Sassi Turchini, where limestone pebbles hide fragments of malachite and azurite.

Rounding Punta di Ripalti, cliffs rise more than one hundred meters above us, home to a large spring colony of herring gulls.

We will then reach Capo delle Brache and the Ginevro mine before arriving at Ginevro beach.

After passing Stagnone and Capo Calvo, we will stop at Sassi Neri to stretch our legs before reaching our arrival point at Naregno beach.

Dinner at the hotel.
Night at the hotel.

DAY 6. Cavo - Bagnaia - 8mi - one way trip

Breakfast.

We will drive to Cavo, the fishing village where today’s kayaking trip begins.

The coastline between Cavo and Bagnaia is a beautiful succession of wild cliffs, small coves and clear water, with colours shifting from the green of Mediterranean scrub to the red of iron‑rich rocks and the deep blue of the sea.

It is a quiet and scenic stretch of coast, perfect for exploring hidden corners and enjoying the silence of nature from the kayak.

Dinner at the hotel.
Night at the hotel.

DAY 7. Enfola - Bagnaia 8.5mi - one way trip

Breakfast.

We will head to the Enfola peninsula to begin our paddling day, exploring bright cliffs, hidden pebble beaches and the luminous waters around Sansone and Portoferraio.

If the sea is calm, we will slip into the stone shark’s mouth to visit the quiet grotto of Sbruffo before continuing along one of the most scenic coastlines on Elba.

Our route will guide us toward Bagnaia, where the day’s adventure ends.

Dinner at the hotel.
Night at the hotel.

DAY 8. Transfer to Pisa Airport /Train Station

After a leisurely breakfast, we will take the ferry back and say our final goodbyes at Pisa Airport or Pisa Centrale train station.

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

Ciao ciao, ci vediamo nella prossima avventura!

Trip Details

Getting Ready
Once you’ve reserved your spot on one of our trips, you’ll receive an email with everything you need to prepare: packing tips, daily schedules, and helpful notes to make your journey smooth. And if you ever have questions beyond what’s online, just send us an email and we will answer as soon as possible. 

Where We Begin and End
Your adventure starts in Pisa (airport code: PSA), a city full of history and charm. At the end of the trip, we’ll wrap up in Pisa Airport or Train Station, making it easy to continue exploring Italy or head home.

On the Water
Kayaking is at the heart of this journey. While we’ll do our best to follow the planned routes, the sea and the weather always have the final say. Safety comes first, so itineraries may shift depending on weather and water conditions. Think of it as part of the adventure, every paddle brings new surprises. We always have several alternate plans.

Booking Essentials
Before you book, take a moment to review our Booking Terms and Travel Insurance requirements. We’ve gathered practical advice and clear guidelines so you can feel confident, covered, and ready to focus on the fun.

Our Spirit
At Italy by Kayak, we believe adventure is better together, traveling with respect, curiosity, and connection. It’s about supporting one another, embracing the unknown, and celebrating the joy of discovery. 

Is this trip right for me?

This journey is a sea kayaking expedition designed for beginner paddlers with a good level of finess, meaning able to paddle an average of 8 miles a day.

  • Beginner paddlers and above
  • It’s a relaxed paddle tour, not a race
  • You will need to:
    • Be comfortable sitting in a kayak for a few hours and be confident  getting in and out of a sit in kayak
    • Be able to paddle at a steady, easy pace even with some waves
    • Follow basic safety instructions from the guide
    • Have a spirit of curiosity and enjoyment rather than competition

 

Over the duration of the trip, the sea may surprise us with unpleasant conditions and weather. We will have to change the itinerary and maybe going hiking and discover the island from a different point of view.  It’s a challenge, yes, but  you’ll discover strength you didn’t know you had and finish feeling empowered, and unstoppable.

 

This is an active adventure, and we want you to feel at ease with what’s involved:

  • Expect to paddle 3-5 hours a day in a tandem sit in kayak, out on open sea conditions with waves up to 2 feet.
  • You’ll be in and out of the water, you will get your feet wet. It's very unlikely but possible to have an unexpected swim. 
  • If swimming isn’t your comfort zone, please let us know and we’ll work with you.
  • A good level of fitness is important, especially since breezy days on the water can require quite a bit of extra effort.
  • Physical Rating: Moderate with some challenge, 3 to 5 hours of activity most days, an average of 7mi a day.

What's included

  • Accommodation in boutique Hotel or B&B
  • Delicius dinners 
  • Reinvigorating breakfasts 
  • All ground group transportation and ferry from the starting point in Pisa to the drop off still in Pisa (unless starting in Portoferraio)
  • A female kayak guide and interpreter, fluent in both English and Italian
  • Top‑quality expedition sea kayaks and gear, including personal flotation devices
  • Group safety equipment, with a well‑stocked first aid kit
  • A land support van and private driver for group transfers, to carry luggage, and provide backup along the way
  • All applicable taxes 
  • Transfer from Pisa to Elba Island round trip, including ferry (only for trips starting/finishing in Pisa)

What's NOT included

  • Airfares
  • Lunch
  • Alcohol
  • Tipping of the guides
  • Single supplement  - € 650
  • Travel insurance 
  • Everything non mentioned in "What's included"