Istia
anchorage · Elba · Tuscany
Istia is an anchorage on the island of Elba, in the Tuscany cruising area.
The nearest town is Porto Azzurro.
Also known as Calanova, Punta Nera, Punta di Buzzancone and Spaggia di Istia.
The bay opens towards the north-east (41°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in south-east (sirocco), south, south-west and west wind.
Partial shelter in north-west wind.
No shelter in north (tramontana), north-east and east wind.
In the most open sector, up to 17 NM of open water towards the north-east.
Swell can come in from north-north-east to east-north-east (24°–72°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: medium (about 2.8 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.2 NM from the anchoring spot.
Marked on the nautical chart as: anchorage.
Protected area and seagrass
Istia lies in the protected area Arcipelago Toscano National Park: check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (1 within 600 m).
Nothing ashore: a wild anchorage.
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north wind: Capoliveri - Golfo di Mola, 0.9 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Cala Barbarossa, 1 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Porto Azzurro Marina, 1.1 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Malpasso beach, 0.1 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Malpasso beach cove · 0.1 NM by sea
- Calagrande anchorage · 0.2 NM by sea
- Punta Perla cove · 0.4 NM by sea
- Cala Naregno anchorage · 0.9 NM by sea
- Capoliveri - Golfo di Mola marina · 0.9 NM by sea
- Spiaggia di Mola cove · 0.9 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Tuscany by wind
More places – Elba
- Golfo della Biodola anchorage
- Innamorata anchorage
- Malpasso beach cove
- Naturist beach Le Tombe cove
Questions
Is Istia sheltered from the tramontana?
No. It is exposed in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Capoliveri - Golfo di Mola, 0.9 NM by sea.
Is Istia sheltered from the sirocco?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in south-east wind.
How deep is the water at Istia?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Istia?
Room to anchor: medium (about 2.8 ha).
Can you spend the night at Istia?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.