Cavoli

Cavoli lies on Elba's southern coast a few kilometres from Marina di Campo, a curved sandy bay split in two by a low cliff. It's known for coarse golden sand, clear water and a livelier atmosphere than many of the island's other beaches, with beach parties and DJ sets a regular feature in high summer. A small, quieter cove sits just around the point for anyone after a calmer swim.

Cavoli is one of the busier beaches on Elba's southern coast, and it has a different character from quieter coves nearby: this is where a younger crowd tends to gather, especially in July and August when the historic beachside venue Il Convio hosts parties, live music and DJ sets into the evening. The main stretch of sand runs about 250 metres and mixes free areas with beach clubs offering sunbeds and umbrellas, along with bars, restaurants and rental kiosks for pedal boats and canoes. Around a low cliff at the western end sits a second, much smaller beach - only about 50 metres of shoreline - which stays noticeably quieter and is used mostly by people looking to get away from the main beach's energy. The sand itself is coarse-grained rather than fine, which some visitors prefer since it doesn't cling to skin the way finer sand can. The water is clear and shifts through shades of blue, and the setting - Mediterranean scrub and rocky headlands framing the bay - is classic Elba. Parking is the main practical hurdle: there's free space along the provincial road and a small paid lot near the beach, but both fill quickly in season. If Cavoli's energy isn't what you're after, the small western cove around the point is worth the short walk for a calmer alternative in the same spot.

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