Swim Around Capraia (SAC) ENG
Dal 30/10/2026 al 01/11/2026 - Lo Sport
One island.
20 kilometres.
Your challenge.
Take on the Swim Around Capraia: a full circumnavigation of one of the most striking islands in the Tuscan Archipelago, in the open waters of the Mediterranean — and turn an extraordinary sporting challenge into support for a good cause.
A complete loop around Capraia
Swim Around Capraia (SAC) is a 20 km solo marathon swim around Capraia Island, undertaken according to WOWSA rules. The swim is designed for experienced open-water marathon swimmers ready to test their endurance, preparation and determination.
The route follows the shortest swimmable tangents around the island, while respecting the protected marine areas and the restrictions established by the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
Where it begins and ends
Start: Spiaggia del Frate, Capraia Island.
Finish: after completing the full loop around the island, the swimmer exits the water beyond the starting point.
Direction: clockwise or counterclockwise, selected according to weather and sea conditions.
A demanding route, carefully planned
The 20 km distance is measured along the shortest swimmable tangents, excluding protected areas that must be avoided.
Protected marine areas
The route avoids the two MA zones of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, delimited by the designated buoys.
Monk seal cave restriction
The swimmer must also avoid the restricted stretch near the Grotta della Foca Monaca, in accordance with PNAT Ordinance No. 1/2020.
Weather-led planning
The local team supports the assessment of sea and weather conditions and advises on the suitable day and swim direction.
Swimmers who have completed the challenge
Four successful circumnavigations are recorded in the challenge's current list.
| Date | Swimmer | Time | Water temp. | Swim type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09 Aug 2015 | Davide Chiaverini | 7 h 30 min | 26.5°C | Assisted |
| 07 Aug 2016 | Cristiano Scotti | 6 h 36 min | 25.5°C | Assisted |
| 08 Oct 2022 | Monica Cordano | 7 h 14 min | 23.0°C | Assisted |
| 26 Apr 2024 | Sabrina Peron | 7 h 56 min | 14.2°C | Unassisted |
A team around the swimmer
The swim is conducted with a motor boat and kayak support, providing guidance and immediate assistance throughout the route.
Organised by LNI Capraia
- Preparatory remote meetings and on-site briefing
- Coordination of authorisations with the Port Authority of Livorno, Municipality of Capraia and Tuscan Archipelago National Park
- Kayak and kayakers, route map app and GPX track with key waypoints
- Weather guidance and a Lega Navale Italiana / WOWSA Observer
- Support with the LNI and WOWSA ratification process
- Press releases before and after the swim, and an AED
Candidate profile & support crew
Candidates must be experienced marathon swimmers with a suitable record of long-distance open-water swims, including at least one swim of 10 km.
The support boat must carry a captain, vice-captain, Observer, doctor, lifeguard, feeder, two kayakers and the swimmer.
The swimmer is responsible for other costs and arrangements, including motor-boat rental, doctor, feeder, lifeguard, accommodation, crew food and beverages, and the WOWSA ratification fee.
Adopt 100 metres of the Swim Around Capraia
20 kilometres of sea. One swim. Hundreds of people can take part in the challenge.
The sea route around Capraia is 20 kilometres long. One swimmer will attempt to swim every one of them — but supporters can accompany the athlete along the way.
We have symbolically divided the Swim Around Capraia into 200 consecutive sections of 100 metres. With a donation, you can adopt one 100-metre section and become part of the challenge.
Donation after donation, the 20-kilometre route will progressively be “filled”. The name of each donor will appear on the Swim Around Capraia map, directly along the route followed by the swimmer.
100 metres after 100 metres, the supporters will swim together with the athlete.
One swim. A shared challenge.
The goal is not simply to complete 20 kilometres around Capraia. It is to transform this sporting challenge into something bigger.
The challenge is organised together with a charity partner, and the funds raised will support the partner's activities.
20 kilometres can be swum by one person.
A good cause can be supported by everyone.
Your Capraia swim starts here.
Contact Lega Navale Italiana – Capraia Island Delegation to express your interest, request inclusion on the waiting list and indicate your preferred time window. Applications are assessed according to the swimmer’s experience and the availability of personnel and resources.
Contact the organiserscapraia@leganavale.it
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