Holidays by boat on Lake Garda

Published 14 Feb 2022

Holidays by boat on Lake Garda

Thanks to its natural landscape and the culture of the area, Lake Garda has always been known as the ideal destination for sportsmen and sailing enthusiasts in all seasons.

There are many ways to spend a day, or even a holiday, off the waters of our lake, with your own boat or by choosing a rental one.

Our campsite offers various services for guests arriving with their own boat, and to rent one, simply contact the reception desk who will get you in touch with one of our partners: from the latest generation of rubber dinghies to the most stylish and crewed boats, from a day on a boat to a week with a skipper, there are solutions to suit all tastes and budgets.

Leaving the mainland and spending a day in the middle of the lake means breaking away from the usual patterns and finding a new dimension, intimate and spacious, enjoying the natural elements, diving into the clearest waters and the silence of nature.

With the family, with friends, or for a romantic weekend for two, the experience of sailing on Lake Garda means discovering it in all its richness: surrounded by its imposing mountains and picturesque hills, you can moor to discover the pretty little harbours, visit the historic islands with their wonderful gardens, and reach the last little beach, where you can enjoy a swim in total freedom.

So let's go exploring and see the best routes for an unforgettable day sailing on Lake Garda.

Boat trip to Sirmione: the peninsula and Jamaica beach

We set off from the gate of the Scaligero Castle, the only entrance to the town centre, to sail on the waters of the lake to discover all the beauty of Sirmione: its history, the exclusive villas and the transparent waters of its beaches.

We leave the majestic walls and three massive towers behind us to reach the famous Grotte di Catullo ( Catullo's Caves), the ruins of a Roman villa built between the end of the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D., one of the most magnificent examples of that period in northern Italy.

Next is the beautiful villa named after Maria Callas, where the great soprano singer of Greek origin is said to have taken refuge for moments of wellness and rest.

A boat trip cannot miss the chance for a refreshing dip in the lake's waters. The next stop can only be the enchanting Jamaica beach, which we talked about here, its lively summer atmosphere and crystal-clear waters.

Please note: There are only four free mooring buoys in Sirmione, located near the "Barracuda". It is important to ask at the local nautical stations to moor your boat safely.

Sirmione jamaica beach lake garda boat family holiday

Boating on Lake Garda and San Biagio Island

Historic jewels in the fresh waters of the lake, these are two classic destinations for lovers of cultural boat trips.

With their blooming gardens, they look like tropical oases among the waves, and are perfect places to get to know the history and beauty of our lake.

Departing from the port of Moniga, and following the route to our first destination, we can observe part of the marvellous west coast of the lake from a whole new perspective: the majesty of the Rocca di Manerba, the shores and long equipped beaches, the greenery of the hills and the villages lying on the lake.

Our advice is to reach the bay to the south of Garda Island to moor, where you will always find calm waters for safe manoeuvring.

Once on land, it's impossible not to be amazed by the shapes and colours of the English and Italian-style gardens surrounding the villa, its palm-filled terraces descending towards the waters of the lake, and the perfect mild climate on your skin to take a break from the summer sun.

The Gothic-Venetian style villa, now owned by the Borghese-Cavazza family, can be visited by appointment with a special guide who will take you on a tour of the history and legends linked to this treasure of creation and beauty.

We now sail towards our next destination: the Island of San Biagio, known as the Island of Rabbits.

We recommend reaching the area near the small jetty, an area reserved for mooring at anchor, and from there go down to visit the small island for a swim.

The island is characterised by green meadows and flowering bushes and is an ideal stop for a picnic before returning home.

Please note: It is important to watch out for possible shoals near the two islands, which are usually well signposted by pylons.

island of rabbit Manerba holiday on Garda Lake

A happy hour by boat in Bardolino

For a cheerful day discovering one of the most interesting villages on our lake, Bardolino is the next destination we recommend to reach by boat during your holiday.

Starting from our location the trip takes about 1h, and the moorings for visitors are located in the southern part of the village harbour, from the lake on your right.

Thursday is market day in Bardolino, a great opportunity to experience this elegant village in all its colourful everyday life. Strolling through the market stalls and buying clothes, handicrafts, fruit and vegetables is a relaxing and fun activity for an excursion with family or friends.

A visit to the Romanesque church of San Severo, a treasure of precious frescoes depicting the Apocalypse, is a must, as is a walk to nearby Punta San Vigilio, one of the most celebrated and romantic spots on our lake, which offers a 360° view over the entire area.

We also recommend wandering through the alleyways and enjoying the old Venetian spirit of Bardolino, and stopping in one of the many local restaurants for a lunch of fish from the lake accompanied by a good glass of wine.

By the way... don't forget to buy a bottle of Bardolino DOC from the local wine cellars, a famous local product that you can enjoy at sunset as you return to your boat.

Attention: when entering and leaving the Port of Bardolino, it is advised not to get too close to the coast as the water may be shallow.

Sailing in Malcesine and Limone sul Garda

A boat trip, as well as being an experience of pure wellbeing and fun, also offers the possibility of reaching places in a very short time that could be very far away due to seasonal traffic on the roads.

One of the itineraries that fits perfectly with this type of time-saving is the one that reaches the northern part of our lake, where we would like to take you to discover the beautiful villages of Malcesine and Limone sul Garda.

A picturesque village at the foot of Monte Baldo, Malcesine shows itself as you approach by boat with all the splendour of its Scaligero Castle, built in the 6th century when the Longobards decided to make it an observation point for the eastern part of Lake Garda.

Legend has it that in 1768 Goethe was imprisoned in the castle following a misunderstanding that he was a German spy against Venice.

Inside the castle you can visit a rich Museum of Natural History, before taking a relaxing stroll through the labyrinth of alleyways of the town that lead to the pretty little port. It's time to set off on a new route: Limone sul Garda is waiting for us!

After a couple of stops for a dip and a swim in the clearest waters of the lake, we reach this pearl of rare beauty, known for its elegant lakeside promenade and its architecture linked to the traditional production of citrus fruits in this area.

Mooring buoys are located to the north of the village harbour and are free of charge.

It is said that Limone is the longest-lived town in the world. Perhaps this is due to its mild climate all year round, perhaps to the wonderful panorama offered by its shores, or perhaps it is due to the genuine traditional products for which this area has become famous. Whatever the reason for this popularity, the village's atmosphere of well-being can be felt as you walk through the alleyways and observe the pastel-coloured houses adorned with ceramic plaques and bougainvillea.

Walking along Lungo Lago Marconi, full of bars and scented souvenir shops, you arrive at the small church of San Rocco, reached on foot by a stairway decorated with flowers and plants in every season.

The next stop is the Limonaia del Castel, a structure dating back to 1700 and historically used for the growing of lemons, oranges, citrons, bergamots and other citrus fruits. Built of stone, it extends over several terraces connected by stairs, which were seasonally closed with sheets of glass or wood when temperatures became too cold.

Next is the Limonaia di Villa Boghi, a more recent building with 7 arches, built in the park of the same name, lush with palms, olive trees and cypresses. To round off your visit to this delightful village, we recommend that you walk or take a boat trip to its peaceful beaches with their crystal clear waters:

among our favourites are the Fonte Torrente San Giovanni beach, ideal for lovers of water sports, and the quieter Tifù beach, popular among sailing enthusiasts.