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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardBeginnersFamilies
What's great
  • 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).
Heads up
  • 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.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
13–26 °C
Water Temperature
11–27 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 4/3mm or 5/4mmApr–Oct: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Quiet in winter; beach becomes very crowded with swimmers in July and August.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain is most frequent from October to December (late autumn through winter).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Sheltered sandy beach break in a small inlet, facing west. Works best on Northwest to West swells with fun, beginner-friendly peeling peaks.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashWetsuit

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Toilets
Showers
Parking
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).
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.