ITALY Elba – Expedition Paddler

ELBA CIRCUMNAVIGATION

Italy // 3.11. - 8.11.2025

When visiting Elba outside of the tourist season, you can still feel that unmistakable Mediterranean atmosphere, bound together by the sea. The light, the ocean, that distinctive blend of salt, herbs, and algae, and the rugged coastlines all seem to envelop you in this landscape and its rich history.

Located in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Elba is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago and is known for its clear waters, making it ideal for exploring by kayak. The island’s diverse coastline includes dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, and hidden caves, many of which are only accessible from the sea. Sea kayaking around Elba Island offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich history.

Elba is also famous for its history, most notably as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte‘s exile in 1814. Kayakers can paddle past historical sites like his residences, Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino, as well as ancient coastal watchtowers and fortresses that once defended the island from pirates.

As part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, the waters around Elba are teeming with marine life, including dolphins, making it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts. With its mild Mediterranean climate and generally calm seas, Elba provides perfect conditions for kayakers of all levels, offering both a scenic and culturally rich paddling experience.

MEETING POINT

Anna shall meet you at the ferry port in Marchiana Marina at between 10.00 on Monday the 3rd November, where we shall then head to the local super market to buy food, water and attend to any other requirements the group may have before heading to our departure point.

ROUTE SELECTION

Team members will actively participate in planning the journey and navigating day-to-day. Our departure points and travel direction will be determined based on the latest weather forecasts and sea conditions. Before setting off, we will hold a comprehensive team briefing to agree on signals, safety protocols, and other key details to ensure a smooth launch. The safety limits for this expedition are tailored to match the group’s skill level (see participant skill requirements).

FOUL WEATHER CONINGENCY PLAN

If weather conditions are unsuitable for the planned circumnavigation of Elba, we will adjust by paddling in different areas around the island. Should the conditions remain unsuitable across all potential routes, we will remain on land. In case of bad weather preventing us from continuing, alternative activities such as wild swimming, hiking, or practical beach-based sessions like surfing or coasteering will be available. If we cannot complete the full circumnavigation due to weather, the guides will arrange transport to shuttle participants back to their vehicles and recover kayaks from an alternative end point.

DETAILS

SKILL LEVEL

Expedition team members need to be at a ‘Sea Kayak Proficient’ level of paddling ability equal to BCU 3*/ BC Sea Kayak Award, EPP 3, ISKGA Fundamental Skills 3, or ACA 3.
You need to be comfortable paddling in force 3-4 winds, 3-4 foot / 0,9-1,2 m waves and happy in an exposed open water environment under a skilled and qualified guide/leader. Team members have to be reasonably fit and capable of paddling between 11-16 NM / 20 -30 km per day over a five day period.

REMITS

We work within National Governing Body-recommended guidelines regarding student/client ratios, weather conditions, and sea state. For most of our expeditions, we maintain a 1:6 guide-to-group member ratio. This ensures that you, as our client, experience the most from the adventure while we minimize our environmental impact.

This expedition is limited to a maximum of six group members.

EQUIPMENT

We recommend that paddlers bring the following equipment. This is not an exhaustive list, as individual needs may vary, but it can serve as a guideline for you.

Paddling Equipment: Kayak, PFD/buoyancy aid, pogies/paddling gloves, spray skirt, two paddles, pump, dry suit or cag & salopettes, two sets of base layers (preferably wool), fleece top (if you tend to get cold), helmet (if you have one), throw-tow or contact tow (if you have one), sunglasses, woolly/sun hat, buff, lip balm/sun protection, storm cag (if you have one).

Camp Clothes: Walking shoes/boots, trousers, puffer jacket, base layers (including one additional wool shirt), gloves, woolly hat, socks, underwear, rain jacket and trousers (depending on paddling clothes).

Camping Kit: Tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, tarp (optional), camp stove & cooking/eating kit, fuel (can be purchased in Tromsø), water bags (2 x 6 liters), water bottle/thermos, torch/headlamp.

Personal First Aid Kit: An "ouch pouch," including any personal medications and allergy considerations.

Wash Kit & Towel: You may wish to include scissors or nail clippers, as well as face and hand creams.

Our outfitter has various equipment available for hire if required, such as tents, sleeping pads, camp stoves, and dry suits.

FOOD

The expedition is not a ‘Catered for experience’ and team members will need to purchase food for this trip. This can be done in Portoferraio or if you are travelling by personal transport, you may wish to bring food from home.

Food is required for six days of sea kayaking, and meals can be a combination of rehydrated food packs and fresh ingredients. Fresh food will always make for a better expedition experience, but some paddlers will prefer to take dehydrated food for lightness and convenience. Dehydrated food is not good for the digestive system over prolonged periods of time and you will require greater amounts of water to be carried or accessed to prepare these meals. We do recommend however that each paddler carries at least two dehydrated meals within their food supply so that a quick meal can be prepared if needed.

Be sure to bring enough snacks (such as energy bars, fruit, and nuts) for refuelling on the go.

ACCOMMODATION

This is a wild camping trip and we will find a different location every night. Please bring your own camping equipment or contact us if you need rental gear. Accommodation before and after the expeditions is your responsibility.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

You can book your ferry in advance through: blunavytraghetti, toremar, moby, or corsica-ferries.

INSURANCES

We recommend that you insure your travel arrangements, as flight delays and cancellations can often occur. If possible, you should also obtain coverage for your experience, including unforeseen events beyond your or our control (such as Force Majeure Events), for which Expedition Paddler Ltd cannot be held responsible.

Additionally, accident insurance, travel health insurance, and rescue and recovery insurance are the responsibility of participants. We strongly advise securing coverage for personal accident and liability, as well as for loss or damage to personal belongings. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal items while on one of our trips.

Expedition Paddler Ltd holds public liability insurance, activity insurance and professional indemnity insurance, details of which can be provided upon request.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Expedition Paddler's service is limited to the organization and implementation of the advertised program, including our role as highly trained guides and coaches.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Expedition Paddler's service is limited to the organization and implementation of the advertised program, including our role as highly trained guides and coaches. No additional services—such as assistance with arrival and departure, accommodation, meals, or local transport—are provided. Where required, we will supply and maintain the ordered equipment in proper condition. Any extra services or modifications requested by participants fall outside our standard scope and must be arranged separately. Furthermore, Expedition Paddler is not liable for any expenses or disruptions resulting from services not covered under the program.

Please note that the price does not include the journey to and from Elba, accomodation and meals.

In the event that remote pickup is required on the Sea Kayaking Expedition, any associated costs will be incurred and divided among the group members.

EXTRAS

If you require additional equipment, such as Kayak, paddels, dry suits, or neoprene boots, these can be hired from our local outfitter.

During this course, you can obtain the British Canoeing Sea Kayak Award. Please let us know in advance if you are interested. Registration and administrative costs for the certification have to be payed to Paddle UK.

During the expedition we shall cover the ISKGA Expedition Skills module including the following subjects: Camp selection, tarpology and shelter building, rescues & evacuation, water sourcing, treatment and toiletry requirements, fire skills, for cooking, signalling and warmth, foraging and equipment.

PRICE £ 600

A minimum of three participants is required to confirm this booking.