Ships and hydrofoils operating on the island of Elba
We have drawn up a ranking of 11 naval units: they are the ferries to and from Elba, including the only hydrofoil (type of carrier on which it is not possible to embark vehicles) operating on the Elban routes, of the Toremar, which, in this case, provides service on the Piombino – Cavo – Portoferraio route. The ferries operating on the Piombino – Portoferraio and Piombino – Rio Marina routes are also of the same company. The BluNavy shipping company runs only the Piombino – Portoferraio route. The Moby fleet operates both on the latter section and on the Piombino – Cavo and Piombino – Rio Marina routes. Although it operates with a distinct and separate fleet, Toremar was nevertheless acquired in 2011 by Moby Lines.
If you are more interested in the ports of arrival and departure, travel times and other information on routes to and from the island, you may want to read first how to reach Elba by sea.
Below, however, we analyze and classify the carriers that navigate on these routes. It is also possible to exchange the positions of the ships, especially those on the podium, according to the needs of the specific traveler who may prefer, for example, the solarium to the refreshment points and accommodation for animals.
Ferries on the Piombino – Portoferraio route
The route that has as its destination the first municipality of Elba by population, with the main port of the island, is the busiest.
1) Moby Kiss
Kiss is a ferry that can carry up to 1600 passengers and 420 cars. About 115 meters long and 20.6 meters wide, it can reach a speed of 18 knots (33.34 km / h). The tailgate and the bow concealment make it bidirectional, that is, with embarkation or disembarkation of vehicles and passengers both at the bow and at the stern. On board there are the bar, the self-service restaurant, the ice cream parlor, a children’s play area, a videogames area, accommodation for pets, Wi-Fi and totems for charging phones and other electronic devices, satellite TV . The armchairs, located in the air-conditioned room, can be reclined. The sides are decorated with Looney Tunes cartoon characters. From 8 to 12 August 2022 it was used by the company on the Livorno – Bastia route, given the ability, thanks to its considerable tonnage, to also sail on extra-regional routes.
2) Stelio Montomoli (Toremar)
The two-way Stelio Montomoli ferry can carry 697 passengers and 96 vehicles; with a length of about 93 meters and a width of 16 meters, it travels at a maximum speed of 18 knots. Both the stern hatch and the bow canopy can be used for access and disembarkation. The on-board services are the bar-cafeteria, an area with games for children, the solarium, Wi-Fi and totems for telephone recharging. The armchairs are located in an air-conditioned lounge equipped with 5 maxi-screens. This unit is also equipped with an anti-roll stabilization system that reduces the effects of wind and waves.
3) Moby Niki
Moby Niki is a Cruise Ferry almost 119 meters long and 18 and a half meters wide that can accommodate up to 1440 passengers and 373 cars. The maximum speed is 16 knots. The bar, the solarium, the children’s play area, the video game area, Wi-Fi and totems for recharging devices are available on board. Equipped with anti-roll stabilizers that cushion the movements caused by wind and waves, the cruise ferry has the sides decorated with DC Comics (Batman). The armchairs are in a living room equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV.
4) Oglasa (Toremar)
The Oglasa ferry can hold 737 passengers and 101 cars, it is 91 meters long and 16.3 meters wide, and it can reach 20/24 knots. Among the on-board services are the café bar, the solarium, the play area for children, Wi-Fi, totems for charging phones, air-conditioned passenger lounge with armchairs. The anti-roll stabilization system makes the crossing comfortable even in bad weather conditions.
5) Acciarello (BluNavy)
The Acciarello motor ship is bidirectional (with double bridge and double garage), it has a load capacity of 230 cars and 800 passengers and a maximum speed of 16 knots. The length is 113 meters and the width is 16.3 meters. In the large lounge with a bar in the center, there are armchairs and comfortable seats with tables. An on-board hostess is available for information and assistance; such a service is offered only on this unit, making it designable even at a higher ranking position.
6) Moby Baby Two
The Moby Baby Two ferry can carry 1150 passengers and 300 cars and travel at a speed of 20 knots. It is approximately 118 meters long and 18 and a half meters wide, and it is equipped with navigation stabilizers. There is a bar, play areas for children and video games, Wi-Fi, totems for recharging electronic devices. The rooms with armchairs are air conditioned. The side decorations depict Lupo Alberto and the Mc Kenzie family.
7) Moby Ale
The Moby Ale has a carrying capacity of 135 cars and 800 passengers and a maximum speed of 20 knots. More than 92 meters long and almost 17 meters wide, it has armchairs, air conditioning, a café bar, a play area for children and a video game room, Wi-Fi and totems to recharge smartphones. The anti-roll stabilizers ensure a comfortable crossing. The side decorations were designed by the designer Ettore Sottsass jr.
8) Schiopparello Jet (Toremar)
The fast Schiopparello Jet unit is a catamaran; it reaches a speed of 38 knots but it cannot carry vehicles and has a higher ticket cost. 35 meters long and 10 meters wide, it can accommodate up to 145 passengers. There are anti-roll system, air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
Ferries on the Piombino – Rio Marina route
In addition to the Bellini and Liburna, whose descriptions can be consulted in the last paragraphs, the following ship operates on the route to and from Rio Marina (Elba island).
9) Rio Marina Bella (Toremar)
The Rio Marina Bella carrier can accommodate 896 passengers and 85 cars. 84 meters long and 15 meters wide, with anti-roll system, it has a maximum speed of 15 knots. On board there is a solarium, a playground for children, a bar, air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
Ferries on the Piombino – Cavo route
In addition to the Schiopparello Jet, the ships described below are active on the route to and from Cavo (the port of the homonymous hamlet in the municipality of Rio Marina on the island of Elba).
10) Liburna (Toremar)
The Liburna carrier can carry 554 passengers, which in the summer can become 692, and 60 cars. About 71 meters long and 14 wide, it has an anti-roll system and it reaches 16.5 knots. Among the on-board services we find the solarium, the playground for children, the bar, air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
11) Giovanni Bellini (Toremar)
The Giovanni Bellini naval unit is able to carry 589 passengers and 60 cars with a maximum speed of 16.5 knots. It is 71 meters long and 14 meters wide and it is equipped with an anti-roll system. The services on board are solarium, cafeteria, air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
