The 'origin of the name Fetovaia is controversial. One of the most credited interpretations would have it derive from the stench produced by the accumulations of Posidonia oceanica on the beach, according to a very frequent phenomenon documented on Elba in the 18th century; according to others, the origin of the name would derive from (terra) fetuaria, meaning fertile land, and not, as suggested in the past, from fagetuaria. The derivation from terra feconda was once supported by the supposition that this cove was the preferred destination for female dolphins at the time of giving birth; in fact, the shallow water and particularly mild water temperature would have been the ideal place for newborn young. The beach is protected by a narrow promontory covered with gorse, holm oaks, and tall bushes typical of the Mediterranean maquis. This allows the bay to have calm, crystal-clear water, which makes it popular with sailors who shelter their sailboats here and with bathers who appreciate its beauty. The beach is protected by a narrow promontory covered with gorse, holm oaks, and tall bushes typical of the Mediterranean maquis. This allows the bay to have calm, crystal-clear colored water, which makes it popular with sailors who shelter their sailboats here and with bathers who appreciate its beauty.
