Scaglieri (Elba Island)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Scaglieri is a small, sheltered sandy beach break in a small inlet on Elba Island (near Portoferraio), facing west. Surf forms on Northwest and West swells (with additional notes pointing to North/NW–W), producing fun, peeling waves that are described as beginner-friendly and suitable for families due to the generally gentle, shallow setup. On good days the wave quality is reported as good, with typical ride distances commonly stated as 50 to 150 m. The break is described as holding up to around 2.5 m (or 2.5 m+) before closing out as swell increases. Both left and right wave directions are reported, supporting flexible surfing options when conditions line up. Wind conditions for surfing are supported by offshore East winds providing cleaner surf, and spot-level guidance notes that conditions are often best when the wind is easing from Mistral and turning Easterly. Winter-to-autumn periods are highlighted for consistency, with sea temperatures and air temperatures dropping noticeably in winter (cool water and colder air). Safety is a priority: rocks at the ends/edges of the bay require careful avoidance, and rip currents are noted as possible during heavy swell. Lifeguard presence is described as seasonal and rescue availability as limited, with emergency services coordinated through the regional system and Portoferraio as the key medical location.
- Sheltered sandy inlet with beginner-friendly peeling beach breaks
- Typical surf rides commonly reported in the 50–150 m range
- Offshore East winds help keep surf cleaner
- Sheltered, shallow sandy beach with beginner-friendly beach-break surfing.
- Good wave quality with normal rides typically around 50 to 150 m.
- Clear water and a generally family-suited setup (sheltered conditions).
- Rocks at the edges/ends of the bay (requires careful positioning).
- Rip currents can occur during heavy swell.
- Wind-sport reliability is low for wind sports.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze conditions with offshore East winds for surf cleanliness (spot-level sources also emphasize east winds).
- Reliability
- Low for wind-sports (better conditions for surfing with offshore East winds).
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December, October
- Shadow Zones
- Some shelter from Southerly winds due to high terrain around the bay.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as holding up to around 2.5 m+ on the right conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach launch with instant access (<5 min walking); shallow and gentle sandy bottom.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Quiet in winter; beach becomes very crowded with swimmers in July and August.
Rain is most frequent from October to December (late autumn through winter).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sheltered sandy beach break in a small inlet, facing west. Works best on Northwest to West swells with fun, beginner-friendly peeling peaks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W, N
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered in a small inlet.
- Wind Effect
- East winds provide clean, offshore conditions for the surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to about 2.5 m before closing out; can peak up to 2.5 m+.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Soft — Spot-level sources also describe ordinary power/moderate power on good days.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal ride length reported as 50 to 150 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically provide rides between 50 and 150 m on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Scaglieri (Elba Island) in the full forecast view.
Scaglieri (Elba Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–19 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- NNW342°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2419 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.7 m3s period
- Temperature
- 15–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Scaglieri (Elba Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 33 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 at the edges/ends of the bay
- rip currents during heavy swell
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is coordinated by Italian Coast Guard, with additional seasonal nautical-club surveillance in popular bays (regional).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Portoferraio; emergency number 112 is cited.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; be respectful of local surfers.
- Take care to avoid the rocks.
- Check the spot when the Mistral wind starts to drop and turns Easterly for the cleanest conditions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Portoferraio
- Nearest Town
- Portoferraio
- Parking
- Limited parking near the beach; can be very difficult in summer.
- Access
- Accessible by car from Portoferraio following signs for Biodola and Scaglieri; also reachable by public transportation via down the road to Biodola and then a well-marked detour to the beach.
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is widely available across Elba, especially around Portoferraio and coastal villages, within walking distance at the coast in some cases.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple bars and restaurants are available directly on or behind the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental centers operate across the island, with cited availability at major beaches/towns including Portoferraio.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is described as available through accommodations in Portoferraio and offered by some seasonal schools/nautical clubs.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and board repair is described as available via local windsurf centers in Portoferraio and Marina di Campo (regional).
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 Scaglieri (Elba Island)?
The best overall months at Scaglieri (Elba Island) are October, November, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December, October.
Which wind directions work at Scaglieri (Elba Island)?
Scaglieri (Elba Island) works with E, NE winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Scaglieri (Elba Island) suitable for?
Scaglieri (Elba Island) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.