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Diving in Lake Garda: here are the most spectacular spots
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Lake Garda is the perfect destination for those who love nature, water sports, and... diving! Not everyone knows that this lake, besides being the largest in Italy, hides a submerged world under its crystal-clear waters, rich in shipwrecks, rocky walls, and spectacular natural scenery.
If you're passionate about scuba diving and want to discover the best that this lake has to offer, you're in the right place. In this article, we will guide you through the best diving spots in Lake Garda, from breathtaking adventures to ancient boats.
Get ready: we are going to dive—literally—into a unique experience.
Let's start with one of the most scenic dives in Lake Garda. We are near the southwest shore, on the seabed in front of Salò, where a series of shipwrecks lie, acting as guardians of the town. The most famous is the Berardi, a massive vessel lying 33 meters deep, used until 1977 for transporting goods. Here, you can explore the hold, the salon, and the bow and stern rooms, which are often home to schools of perch.
The other wrecks are nearby and connected by ropes: the most fascinating ones are a sailboat lying 27 meters deep and a motorboat called Bora II.
Salò is not the only place where you can admire these fascinating boats. The wrecks of Lake Garda are numerous and deserve a separate article: some of these silent giants are indeed the last witnesses of a distant past when the lake was a crossroads of different languages and cultures.
24 meters below the surface, inside an underwater cave in front of Torri del Benaco, you can take a photo of some unexpected subjects: the characters of a Nativity scene.
This is the Underwater Nativity Scene of Torri del Benaco, a must-see for anyone diving in this area of Garda. The submerged statuettes are gathered in a small rock crevice and include some unique characters, such as Snow White.
The Nativity scene is not the only attraction of this dive: here and there, you'll encounter statues of dwarfs, a rich underwater fauna, and a suggestive rocky cliff plunging into the lake's depths.
Buried for five centuries in the depths of the lake lies a warship belonging to the Serenissima: thanks to the lack of light and the muddy, cold bottom, the vessel has survived to this day in excellent condition, giving us the chance to admire the grandeur of a Renaissance-era galley.
It is located 500 meters from the port of Lazise, between 24 and 27 meters deep. Approaching this piece of history, wrapped in the cold waters of Garda, offers a unique experience, a journey into the past of this wonderful lake.
Located on the Veronese shore of the lake, Punta San Vigilio is another spot loved by divers. Among all the dives in Lake Garda, it is perhaps the one that best reflects the lacustrine nature of this area: here, you can explore a seabed rich in vegetation and native fauna, including algae meadows and cavities that host a variety of colorful fish.
The diving point is located north of Punta San Vigilio, near the Baia delle Sirene. Before diving, it's important to note that the route crosses a constant current, which requires some effort and a bit of experience.
With its algae forests and enchanting seabed, Baia delle Sirene is the perfect place if you want to discover the biodiversity of Lake Garda.
One of the most popular diving spots is the Trimelone Shoal. It is located in front of Assenza di Brenzone, near the island of the same name where a bunker was built during World War II.
This is an excursion suitable for both Open Water certified divers and more experienced ones. From the shoal's top, at a depth of 7 meters, you can descend to 40 meters along a steep wall. Technical divers can then choose to venture into the passage of a fascinating cave at a depth of 48 meters.
The particular shape of the seabed and the proximity to the islet make the Trimelone Shoal one of the most suggestive dives in Lake Garda.
At a depth of 15 meters in the waters of Porto San Nicolò lies a remarkable sculpture: the statue of Christ of the Abyss, renowned for providing one of the most iconic diving experiences in Lake Garda. Standing at approximately three meters tall, this statue was installed on the seabed in the 1970s as a symbol of protection for divers.
The dive is accessible for all experience levels, allowing you to explore unique rock formations and small caves teeming with marine life. The enchanting atmosphere makes this dive perfect even for those venturing into the underwater world for the first time.
1) Shipwrecks in Lake Garda: the Guardians of Salò
Let's start with one of the most scenic dives in Lake Garda. We are near the southwest shore, on the seabed in front of Salò, where a series of shipwrecks lie, acting as guardians of the town. The most famous is the Berardi, a massive vessel lying 33 meters deep, used until 1977 for transporting goods. Here, you can explore the hold, the salon, and the bow and stern rooms, which are often home to schools of perch.
The other wrecks are nearby and connected by ropes: the most fascinating ones are a sailboat lying 27 meters deep and a motorboat called Bora II.
Salò is not the only place where you can admire these fascinating boats. The wrecks of Lake Garda are numerous and deserve a separate article: some of these silent giants are indeed the last witnesses of a distant past when the lake was a crossroads of different languages and cultures.
2) The Underwater Nativity Scene of Torri del Benaco
24 meters below the surface, inside an underwater cave in front of Torri del Benaco, you can take a photo of some unexpected subjects: the characters of a Nativity scene.
This is the Underwater Nativity Scene of Torri del Benaco, a must-see for anyone diving in this area of Garda. The submerged statuettes are gathered in a small rock crevice and include some unique characters, such as Snow White.
The Nativity scene is not the only attraction of this dive: here and there, you'll encounter statues of dwarfs, a rich underwater fauna, and a suggestive rocky cliff plunging into the lake's depths.
3) Warship of Lazise
Buried for five centuries in the depths of the lake lies a warship belonging to the Serenissima: thanks to the lack of light and the muddy, cold bottom, the vessel has survived to this day in excellent condition, giving us the chance to admire the grandeur of a Renaissance-era galley.
It is located 500 meters from the port of Lazise, between 24 and 27 meters deep. Approaching this piece of history, wrapped in the cold waters of Garda, offers a unique experience, a journey into the past of this wonderful lake.
4) Punta San Vigilio
Located on the Veronese shore of the lake, Punta San Vigilio is another spot loved by divers. Among all the dives in Lake Garda, it is perhaps the one that best reflects the lacustrine nature of this area: here, you can explore a seabed rich in vegetation and native fauna, including algae meadows and cavities that host a variety of colorful fish.
The diving point is located north of Punta San Vigilio, near the Baia delle Sirene. Before diving, it's important to note that the route crosses a constant current, which requires some effort and a bit of experience.
With its algae forests and enchanting seabed, Baia delle Sirene is the perfect place if you want to discover the biodiversity of Lake Garda.
5) Trimelone Shoal
One of the most popular diving spots is the Trimelone Shoal. It is located in front of Assenza di Brenzone, near the island of the same name where a bunker was built during World War II.
This is an excursion suitable for both Open Water certified divers and more experienced ones. From the shoal's top, at a depth of 7 meters, you can descend to 40 meters along a steep wall. Technical divers can then choose to venture into the passage of a fascinating cave at a depth of 48 meters.
The particular shape of the seabed and the proximity to the islet make the Trimelone Shoal one of the most suggestive dives in Lake Garda.
6) Christ of the abyss
At a depth of 15 meters in the waters of Porto San Nicolò lies a remarkable sculpture: the statue of Christ of the Abyss, renowned for providing one of the most iconic diving experiences in Lake Garda. Standing at approximately three meters tall, this statue was installed on the seabed in the 1970s as a symbol of protection for divers.
The dive is accessible for all experience levels, allowing you to explore unique rock formations and small caves teeming with marine life. The enchanting atmosphere makes this dive perfect even for those venturing into the underwater world for the first time.
Practical tips for diving in Lake Garda
Before diving into Lake Garda, it's important to consider a few things:- Even though the lake's waters are generally calm, it's always best to be accompanied by an experienced guide, especially if you're not familiar with the area.
- Make sure you have all the necessary equipment, including a suitable wetsuit and a diving torch. Temperatures at depth can be cold even in summer.
- In some areas of the lake, you need to obtain a diving permit. Always check before you go.