Sant'Andrea
Sea and Beaches
The tiny gulf of Sant’Andrea is in the natural park of the Island of Elba, and thanks to its beautiful untouched and uncontaminated nature, and the crystal clear sea, it is very popular among fishing lovers and scuba divers, who come to discover the typical flora and fauna of the Italian seas.
The sandy beach is 200 meters long, and all the facilities are run by the “Consorzio Capo Sant’Andrea”. The sea bed is sandy and shallow, and this makes it perfect for children.
On the right hand side of the beach, a path carved in the rocks leads to the smaller Cotoncello beach, similar to a small natural swimming pool with shallow water, ideal for those with small children. The surrounding rocks offer numerous possibilities for sunbathing.
On the left hand side, an easy trail between the rocks and and small wooden bridges leads to the famous cliffs of Sant’Andrea, where the contrast of the spectacular rock formations and the deep green water makes the cliffs unique and absolutely beautiful. The cliffs are a mixture of granite and orthoclase crystals that plunge right down into the crystal clear sea.
Sant’Andrea also has a pier for small boats, two boat rentals, a windsurf school, a diving center, a general store, bars and restaurants.
The coastline of Sant’Andrea is made up of numerous small bays and creeks, most of which can only be reached by sea.
Sea and beaches
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Sant'Andrea
Mountain
Between one dive and another make a point of admiring the mountain that looks down on to the bay: Monte Capanne, 1019 metres high, whose ancient paths have been cleaned up and given back their former glory.
At the foot of the mountain a large web of paths and trails leads to the top and around the mountain, as well as to all the small villages on the western coast.
Walking through the valleys with their century old chestnut trees or amidst the Mediterranean scrub with its strong perfumes is a unique experience. You will discover sudden breathtaking panoramas or catch glimpses of mouflons, or come across strange rock formations that remind you of natural sculptures of animals, monsters and gnomes. Our granite and quartz reefs are unique in their kind for their geological importance and their incredible beauty.
Some easy trails, through ancient vineyards and small waterfalls on the granite rocks, lead to the ancient paths, rich in history, that take you to the villages of Marciana and Chiessi.
Mountain
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