Toremar

Who they are

Toremar (Toscana Regionale Marittima) 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. It runs routes under public-service contracts that keep the islands connected all year, even when commercial demand is thin. Toremar was a regional company until 2011, when it was bought by Moby, which kept the Toremar name. It is based in Livorno.

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

Network and routes

The backbone of Toremar's network is Piombino to Elba. Piombino is the natural mainland gateway, reached by road from the Via Aurelia and by a branch railway to Piombino Marittima. From there Toremar sails to three Elba ports:

• Portoferraio, Elba's main town and port, about 1 hour by car ferry.
• Rio Marina on the east coast, about 45 minutes.
• Cavo in the north-east, served by fast passenger craft; Cavo also has a link to Portoferraio.

Beyond Elba, Toremar covers the smaller islands:

• Pianosa, the flat former prison island south-west of Elba, from Piombino and Rio Marina.
• Capraia, a rugged island north-west of Elba with a small population, from Livorno.
• Gorgona, the smallest inhabited island of the archipelago and still a prison island with restricted access, also from Livorno.
• Giglio, the granite island off Monte Argentario, from Porto Santo Stefano.
• Giannutri, a tiny island south of Giglio with controlled visitor access, also from Porto Santo Stefano.

The small-island routes run reduced winter schedules.

Fleet and on board

Toremar runs a fleet of about seven conventional ro-ro ferries plus fast passenger craft. The ferries on the Piombino–Portoferraio run are multi-deck ships with vehicle decks below and lounges, open decks and a bar or cafeteria above. Toremar was refitted from 2015 with on-board Wi-Fi and screens, on ships such as the Marmorica and Giovanni Bellini.

The one-hour Elba crossing is pleasant in good weather; the open deck fills quickly in summer. The small-island boats have more limited facilities.

Booking and tips

Book car passages to Elba as far ahead as possible for the peak weeks from mid-July to late August. Foot-passenger tickets are easier to get and can often be bought at the port on the day. Children under 4 travel free, and children up to 12 get a discount.

Portoferraio is not the only Elba port. Rio Marina and Cavo give alternative arrival points depending on where you are staying.

Capraia, Giglio, Giannutri and Pianosa have a very different character from Elba: quiet, with few facilities outside the main village. Check accommodation and visitor rules before booking the ferry, especially for Giannutri, Pianosa and Gorgona, where access is limited.