Capo Bianco (Elba)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Capo Bianco is an advanced-only left-hand point break on Elba’s north coast, breaking under white cliffs in an exposed setting. The wave is known for fast, powerful sections, with options that start working around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to around 3 m+. In winter, the maestrale (northwest) pattern is highlighted as the driver of the spot’s most legendary conditions, including very large sets reported at 5 m+. Local guidance emphasizes that the wave is not for inexperienced surfers: conditions can be fast, and breaks can occur over reefs/rocky features, creating a demanding and potentially hazardous environment. Wave character is commonly described as hollow/powerful when on, with peeling variants depending on setup. Ride lengths are typically short in normal conditions, with 50–150 m reported on a good day. The spot is described as exposed, meaning wind and swell alignment strongly affect overall quality. For access, the launch is described as a short walk with easy winter parking near the beach. Water clarity is reported as crystal-clear. Hazards include rocks/submerged rocks/reef and pollution risk during heavy rain, and rescue is described as limited at the spot level (with a nearby hospital in Portoferraio).
- Legendary advanced-only left-hand point break under white cliffs.
- Works from about 1.0–1.5 m and can hold to ~3 m+.
- Very large winter maestrale storms reported (5 m+).
- Crystal-clear water with excellent visibility.
- Iconic left-hand point break under white cliffs with high-quality, regional-classic waves.
- Works with swell starting around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to ~3 m+.
- Very clear water is commonly reported.
- Strong winter maestrale pattern can create legendary, towering options.
- Advanced/experienced surfers only due to very fast, reef/rock-influenced conditions.
- Huge winter wave potential and exposed nature increase risk.
- Pollution hazards can occur (noted particularly with heavy rain).
- Weekend crowds can be busy in-water.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Maestrale-driven gradient winds in winter.
- Reliability
- high in winter
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady in the winter maestrale setup.
- Best Months
- December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- High white cliffs can create wind shadows near the shoreline.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Conflicting composition reports exist: one source says sand while another describes pebble. Treat as mixed cliff-backed shoreline material.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Winter can produce 5 m+ waves; otherwise commonly ranges from working 1.0–1.5 m up to ~3 m+.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access described as under 5 minutes from parking.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source rates launch difficulty as easy; another rates it as moderate (narrow pebble beach).
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; crowded on weekends (and can be extremely crowded in July and August).
Winter storms (December to February) / autumn and early winter rainy period.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Windsurfing possible year-round with an appropriately thick wetsuit; strong Maestrale in winter.
Legendary left-hand point break under white cliffs with fast, advanced-only waves. Waves typically start working around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to about 3 m+, with massive options in winter maestrale-storm conditions (reported 5 m+).
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — Sources mention mid tide and also that it can work across all tides; best tide movement is referenced without specifics.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to wind and swell; white cliffs and reef/rocks create a demanding environment.
- Wind Effect
- Maestrale (northwest) is reported to produce the best conditions; south/southerly winds can also provide cleaner offshore conditions in some setups.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size to around 3 m+ and can deliver epic 5 m+ waves in winter.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic / advanced-quality point break.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Legendary advanced-only point break with very heavy winter options.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Often hollow; can also describe as peeling depending on setup.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Speedy take-off and fast wave face when conditions are on.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short (<50 m) in normal conditions; 50-150 m on a good day.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short (<50 m) normally; 50–150 m on a good day.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Capo Bianco (Elba) in the full forecast view.
Capo Bianco (Elba) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–21 ktsGusts 32 kts
- Direction
- NNW345°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2421 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.7 m3s period
- Temperature
- 15–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Capo Bianco (Elba) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 32 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.1–1.7 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- reef
- fast waves
- steep cliffs
- pollution during heavy rain
- submerged rocks
- rocky bottom
- white cliffs
- pollution
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level guidance indicates limited rescue for this break.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Portoferraio.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local priority/peak etiquette is emphasized.
Rules of the spot
Experienced/advanced surfers only; respect local surfers and the peak priority.
- Seasonal swimming zones in summer months.
- Avoid for non-experienced surfers due to fast, reef-influenced wave breaks.
- Avoid unless you have experience; waves are fast and can break on reefs.
- Parking is easier in winter.
- Huge winter waves up to 5 m; fast take-off conditions.
- The best conditions typically require strong swell followed by a wind shift to the south.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Portoferraio
- Nearest Town
- Portoferraio
- Nearest Airport
- Marina di Campo Airport (EBA) (about 15 km away)
- Parking
- Good parking near the beach; typically free in winter (paid parking often available near the entrance).
- Public Transport
- Well-connected via local bus network and ferries from Piombino into Portoferraio.
- Access
- From Portoferraio by car followed by a short walk/path to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and apartments available in Portoferraio.
- Food & Drink
- Bar/restaurant availability is reported (some sources describe seasonal beach bars; restaurants nearby in Portoferraio).
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized surf rentals directly on the beach (rental availability may be found elsewhere in the area).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Capo Bianco (Elba)?
The best overall months at Capo Bianco (Elba) are December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Capo Bianco (Elba)?
Capo Bianco (Elba) works with NW winds.
What skill level is Capo Bianco (Elba) suitable for?
Capo Bianco (Elba) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.