Yacht charter at Monte Argentario
The Monte Argentario and its islands Giglio and Giannutri are an ideal yacht charter destination in the South of Tuscany. At the border to the region Latium we can find a lovely area that preserves its natural charme.
Individual travellers, nature and activity lovers, yacht and second house owners are attracted by its relaxing atmosphere, far from mass tourism.
The beautiful nature of the Costa d'Argento.
What makes this ambient so interesting for yachting and sea lovers?
The Monte Argentario
The Monte Argentario is a peninsula connected to the mainland by two beaches, Feniglia and Giannella, that form a huge salt water lagoon. At the centre of the lagoon is located the village of Orbetello that communicates with the peninsula through a long artificial dam and divides the lagoon in two: Ponente and Levante.
The sea that surrounds the Argentario is transparent and presents a variety of beautiful rocky and sandy bays and beaches: Cala Piccola, Cala Grande, Acqua Dolce, Mar Morto, Le Viste, Cala Inferno, Cala del Gesso, Cala Cacciarella, Lo Sbarcatello, il Pozzarello are only some of them. Some small islands like the “Isolotto” with its turtle shape and the “Isola Rossa” embellish the panorama.
Giannella Beach
A wide range of beach clubs, hotels, residences and camping villages are located along the Giannella, easily reachable by a long road that passes through the whole length of the beach.
The exclusive “Beach Club Il Tramonto” is known for its breathtaking sunsets and delicious cocktails. And the “Oste Dispensa” is an excellent fish restaurant using only local products, mentioned in the Michelin guide.
Feniglia Beach
The beach Feniglia is a natural park that hosts a huge pine tree forest and is free of constructions.
It is ideal for cycling and running on a long gravel tray that connects Porto Ercole to the Ansedonia hill. On your way you can admire the Caravaggio monument (who is supposed to die in this forest), enjoy guided paths through the fauna and flora of this unique environment, ornithological and birdwatching trails, driftwood and crystal clear water.
Orbetello
Orbetello is the pulsing heart of the Costa d’Argento since it offers a wide range of facilities: cocktail bars, live music, restaurants and pizzeria, a pedestrian road with fashion shops and boutiques, a cinema and an auditorium. Many events are organised during summertime, such as the “Orbetello Jazz Festival” (in collaboration with Rome’s jazz club “Alexanderplatz”), the “Orbetello Piano Festival“, the “Orbetello Book Prize“.
Ancient Etruscan walls and an Archeological Museum “Guzman”, monuments from the Spanish occupation, a co-cathedral “Duomo di Orbetello” from the XIII Century and the old mill in the lagoon are other attractions of the city.
The Lagoon of Orbetello is an extraordinary example of biodiversity. It presents a paradise for ornithologists as it is located along the migratory flyways of many bird species, attracted by the mild climate of the lagoon. Some of the best-known species are the pink flamingo, the black-winged stilt, the great egret, the osprey, the cormorant, the Eurasian spoonbill, the pied avocet and many more.
A WWF oasis established in 1971 is open for photographers, birdwatchers or personalised visits. The oasis has an extension of 850 hectares and a depth of ca. 1,50 meters. Different cabins for birdwatching are available and a centre of environmental education situated in an old Spanish house from 1600 welcomes visitors from all over the world.
The sunsets over the western lagoon, the “Laguna di Ponente”, where the symbol of Orbetello – an old mill – is located are a breathtaking natural spectacle.
Porto Ercole
Porto Ercole is an old fisher town located on the peninsula in a picturesque bay. The village spreads a cozy atmosphere with its small cafés and local fish restaurants, craft shops, fisher boats and some pleasure vessels. Near to this small town we find some of the best rocky beaches of the area (“Le Viste Beach Club“, “Riva del Marchese“), as well as one of the most exclusive hotels of the world, the “Hotel il Pellicano” with its Michelin star restaurant. International celebrities frequent this jewel in Southern Tuscany’s “Località Sbarcatello“.
The private “Marina of Cala Galera” lays just next to Porto Ercole with many berths dedicated to private yacht owners and different commercial charter yachts.
Porto S. Stefano
Born as a small fisher town, Porto Santo Stefano in recent times hosts the ferry port to the islands Giglio and Giannutri and reserves different moorings for bigger pleasure vessels and megayachts.
Together with the “Marina Cala Galera” near Porto Ercole, it is the real heart of yachting at the Monte Argentario. Even cruising ships are nowadays anchored in the roads of Porto S. Stefano.
A long sea promenade with palm trees invites you to pleasant walks in warm summer evenings while stopping by in some charming bar for having an aperitif or for dining in one of the many delicious fish restaurants of the town.
Giglio Island
Giglio Island is part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago. The island is full of excellent sandy and rocky beaches, clean waters and is covered by the typical Mediterranean flora of the “Macchia Mediterranea“.
Different small towns invite to cozy evenings in the typical restaurants, whether you choose “Giglio Porto“, the picturesque port of the island, the medieval town of “Giglio Castello” on the top of a hill with great panoramas full of narrow streets and craft shops or also “Giglio Campese“.
The best beaches on Giglio Island are “Campese Beach“, “Cannelle Beach“, “Arenella” and “Caldane“.
Giannutri Island
Offering pure nature, a well preserved flora and fauna, Giannutri has only a few inhabitants. You can access the protected island in some few authorised points, in Cala Maestra and Cala Spalmatoi, being part of the Tuscan Natural Park.
A special attraction are the ruins of an Ancient Roman Villa from the II Century AC near Cala Maestra.