View on the bay of Campese

Boat round-trip Giglio Island

A round-trip of the Island of Giglio by boat to discover the coves and beaches hidden and inaccessible from the ground is an experience that should not be missed during a holiday on Giglio.

Map Giglio Island Boat Round-trip


Most of the coastline is inhabited and only a few spots can be reached on foot. As soon as you leave the main villages and beaches, you will find isolated coves of rare beauty: granite rocks, mountains overlooking the sea, a dense green Mediterranean vegetation and crystal clear waters with spectacular seabed’s. Taking a solitary bath in one of these coves is a truly unforgettable experience.

The coast of the Island develops for only 28 km and is ideal to be circumnavigated in a few hours. Most of the island is made up of granite with an almost golden colore. The typical granite rocks are often comfortable to lie down, offer an easy access to the sea and also allow you to dive. Only the north-western part instead is characterized by limestone and is more rigid, in some places the mountains seem to fall into the sea. However, it is here that you will find smaller pebble stone beaches.

Our photographic tour starts from Giglio Porto and leads us to the southern tip with the Capel Rosso lighthouse. Then it continues on the west coast passing the abandoned pyrite mine at the Alume cove and ends again on the east coast at the so called "Tartaruga", a rock of a the form of a tortoise next to the Arenella beach.

For those who have the time we recommend to rent a boat (you do not need a nautical license) for half a day or better a full day. It allows you to stop wherever you want, take a dip or snorkel in the various coves, visit them from the ground or simply admire the beautiful seabed. The cost for a day of hire varies between 80 and 150 euros (plus petrol) depending on the season and the types of boats. Alternatively there are taxi boats in Giglio Porto and Campese that offer both a transfer service to the various coves and beaches and an island round-trip. The cost is about 20 euros per person, it lasts two hours and includes a swimming stop.

Some boat rentals and taxi-boats also offer trips to the Island of Giannutri.

Boat gound-trip Giglio island
» Departure and arrival point: Giglio Porto (or Giglio Campese)
» Length: 28 km
» Time needed: 1 day, including stops

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