Toremar

Who they are

Toremar (Toscana Regional Maritime) is the historic public-service ferry company for the Tuscan Archipelago, the chain of islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea between the Tuscan coast and Corsica. The company has provided essential transport links to these islands — many of them with small year-round populations — for generations, and still operates several routes under public service obligation contracts that ensure connections even when commercial demand is thin.

In practice, Toremar is best known as one of the main operators to Elba, Italy's third-largest island and the most popular tourist destination in the archipelago. The Piombino–Portoferraio crossing is the artery of Elba life, and Toremar has worked it alongside competitors for decades.

Network and routes

The backbone of Toremar's network is the Piombino to Portoferraio (Elba) route. Piombino is the natural mainland gateway — a short drive from the A12 autostrada and served by a railway branch line — and Portoferraio is Elba's main town and port. The crossing takes roughly one hour and runs frequently in summer.

Beyond Elba, Toremar covers several of the smaller, quieter islands. Capraia, a rugged island north-west of Elba with a small resident population and a national park, is reached from Livorno. Giglio, the granite island off Monte Argentario famous for its clear water and the Costa Concordia wreck, is served from Porto Santo Stefano. Giannutri, a tiny private-access island near Giglio, receives occasional summer services.

These smaller-island routes operate on reduced winter schedules; Capraia in particular has limited winter frequency.

Fleet and on board

Toremar operates a mixed fleet of conventional ro-ro car ferries and smaller passenger vessels. The car ferries on the Piombino–Portoferraio run are the workhorse of the fleet: multi-deck vessels with open vehicle decks below and enclosed passenger lounges, open promenade decks and catering facilities above.

On-board facilities include a bar and cafeteria, seating both inside and on the open deck. The one-hour Elba crossing is pleasant in good weather; the open deck fills up quickly in summer. Smaller vessels on the minor-island routes have more limited on-board provision.

Vehicle reservation is strongly recommended for July and August. Last-minute queues at Piombino in peak summer can result in multiple sailings being missed.

Booking and tips

Book car passages on the Elba route as far ahead as possible for the peak summer window (mid-July to late August). Foot-passenger tickets are easier to obtain and can often be bought at the pier on the day, though the ferry will occasionally be standing-room only.

Portoferraio is not the only Elba port — Cavo in the north and Rio Marina on the east coast are served by some Toremar and competitor sailings, giving alternative arrival points depending on where you are heading on the island.

The smaller islands (Capraia, Giglio) have a very different character from Elba: quieter, with few facilities outside the main village. Check accommodation availability before booking the ferry, especially for Giannutri where visitor numbers are controlled.