Diving the Freshwater Lakes – Garda, Como, Maggiore & Iseo

About Freshwater Lakes – Garda, Como, Maggiore, Iseo

Northern Italy’s great lakes offer a surprising world of altitude freshwater diving amid spectacular mountain scenery. Lake Garda is the largest and deepest, with the Wall of Torbole drop-off, the intact Brennero cargo wreck and a Christ of the Abyss statue. Lake Como hides the Plinio and Volta steamers and the Wall of Nesso, Lake Maggiore the Verbano ferry and the Cannero wall, and Lake Iseo the Caprese wreck and a submerged forest. Cool, clear and calm, these lakes are perfect for training, altitude diving and wreck exploration close to the Alps. The region rewards careful planning and respects the strong Italian marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Mediterranean experience levels.

Highlights

• ✓Wall of Torbole: Lake Garda’s vertical freshwater drop-off
• ✓Brennero Wreck: an intact cargo ship at 15-30 m in Lake Garda
• ✓Wreck of the Plinio: a Lake Como steamer at 10-25 m
• ✓Verbano Ferry Wreck: a Lake Maggiore passenger wreck at 15-30 m
• ✓Caprese Wreck & submerged forest: Lake Iseo training sites

Getting There

Fly into Milan (MXP) or Verona (VRN), then drive to the lakes. Dive bases sit in Torbole and Garda on Lake Garda, Como town, Stresa on Maggiore and Iseo.