Yacht on Lake Garda: how to rent a yacht in Riva del Garda and not regret it
Have you ever tried to catch the wind in the mountains? The northern part of the lake, where Riva del Garda is located, is surrounded on three sides by the Alps, and this creates a unique atmosphere. The winds here are blowing according to schedule: in the morning — the northern “Peler”, in the afternoon — the southern “Ora”. At the same time, the surface of the water remains flat, and the yacht literally hovers over the transparent surface.
After four hours of swimming on the lake, you enter a completely different world. Mountains on three sides, dolomite pebbles on the bottom, which can be seen even at a depth of five meters, and the smell of olive groves descending to the water. Yacht rental in Riva del Garda is an opportunity to experience yachting, which is appreciated by professionals from all over the world.
Why choose Riva del Garda?
This city in northern Italy is one of the five most elegant resorts in the country. The wind blows here 300 days a year — ideal conditions for sailing. That is why La Fraglia Vela, one of the most respected yacht clubs in Europe, is based in Riva del Garda. The club is located at the foot of Racchetta Mountain, surrounded by a garden with magnolias and olive trees, and the facade faces the old canal and the 13th-century fortress.
But the main thing is water. Jacques-Yves Cousteau also appreciated the transparency of the Garda: opposite the Riva, at the bottom lies the sunken Lazise transport, which was explored by the famous oceanographer.


Bareboat charter in Riva: What you need to know
If you want to rent a yacht on your own, without a captain, you will need a skipper’s license. International certificates are suitable: IYT, RYA, MYA, ISSA or any other valid certificate recognized in Italy.
When booking through online platforms, you may be asked to upload a yacht resume confirming your experience. This is a normal practice: safety on the water is put above all else here.
If you don’t have a license, it’s not a problem. Skipper rentals are open to everyone. The captain will not only guide the ship, but also show you places that are not mentioned in the guidebooks.
The standard charter on the Garda starts and ends on Saturday. You take the boat in the afternoon and return it a week later, early in the morning. Most charter companies ask you to rent a yacht on Friday evening — keep this in mind when planning a flight.
How to choose a yacht
First, answer the question: why do you need a yacht? Do you want to participate in a regatta or slowly sip prosecco under sail? The type of vessel depends on the answer.
Sailing yachts are a priority here. Lake Garda is a wind reserve, and it’s a sin not to take advantage of it. There are about 110 yachts permanently stationed at La Fraglia Marina, and their number triples during international competitions.
Motor yachts are also available, but they can only be boarded in the southern and central parts of the lake, between Sirmione, Salo and Bardolino. The north is a nature reserve, 13 km south of Riva del Garda there is a border beyond which passage by motor vessels is prohibited.
Catamarans are the choice for companies that value space and stability.

Prices: from affordable to premium
The rental price varies greatly. You can find options starting from 250 euros per day for a small sailing yacht. The upper limit reaches 6,500 euros for larger and newer vessels.
Additional options are paid separately:
Skipper’s services: 150-180 euros/day + meals
The hostess
Outboard motor
SUP boards
Electric grill
There are interesting offers for those who want to combine a yacht with a hotel stay. For example, a three-hour trip on the elegant RIVA boat is included in the package starting from 1086 euros for a two-day stay at a residence on the lake.
Routes: where to sail from Riva del Garda
My team and I have selected several variations of comfortable routes for different companies and purposes:
Half—day option: Riva – Limona — Malcesine
A four-hour walk with the captain will cost about 320 euros per person. The route includes:
Ponale Waterfall is one of the most picturesque places of Garda Trentino, accessible only from the water
Limone sul Garda is a sunny town famous for lemon groves
Malcesine is a medieval pearl with a Scaliger castle on a cliff
Snacks and a glass of prosecco will be offered on board, and if desired, you can even steer under the supervision of the captain.
4-6 day route: around the lake
There is the legendary Rotta delle Centomiglie route (The Hundred Mile Route), inspired by the famous regatta. This is what it looks like:
Day 1: Desenzano — Sirmione
Start from the southern town of Desenzano. After six miles, you reach Sirmione, a town on a narrow peninsula. Here you should see the Scaligerian Castle and the Catullus Grottoes, the ruins of a Roman villa.
Day 2: Lazise — Gardone-Riviera
The next stop is the charming port of Lazise. Stock up on olive oil and rose wine. Then there is the Gardone Riviera, where the quaint residence of the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio Vittoriale is located.
Day 3: Malcesine
The city is in the shadow of the Scaliger Castle and Monte Baldo Mountain. From here you can take a cable car up and see the lake from a bird’s-eye view.
Day 4: Limone sul Garda — Riva del Garda
Limone is the city of lemons, sung by Goethe. Then finish in Riva del Garda with its fortress and beautiful square.
Family itinerary for 6 days
For traveling with children, it is better to choose a calmer rhythm. :
Day 1: Riva del Garda (city tour, yacht tour)
Day 2: Crossing to Limona (10 nautical miles) — swimming, walking through lemon gardens
Day 3: Limone → Malcesine (8 miles) — Castle and cable car
Day 4: Malcesine → Bardolino (15 miles) — wine cellars and olive groves
Day 5: Bardolino → Sirmione (10 miles) — thermal springs and castle
Day 6: Return to Riva del Garda


What to see on the banks of the Riva
Previously, the city was owned by Germany, which is reflected in the architecture, and many Germans still rest here. Riva del Garda preserves the memory of its history. There is a monument to St. John Nepomuk in the port, the patron saint of fishermen, boaters and pilgrims.
And Catena Square means “chain”: in the past, the port was closed at night with a chain stretched between the winches so that enemies could not land on the shore.
The 34-meter-high Apponale Tower, built in 1920, stands above the Third of November Square. It once defended the city, then served as a prison and observation post during the First World War. The clock on the tower strikes every hour.
Anyships helps to arrange a turnkey yacht rental on Lake Garda. We work directly with trusted charter companies in Riva del Garda and other marinas of the lake. We will choose a vessel according to your request — a sailboat for a regatta, a catamaran for a family or a motor yacht for a romantic walk. We will help you with the documents for a bareboat charter or find an experienced captain. We’ll tell you where to dock so that you can find yourself in the best restaurant with a sunset view in the evening.
Send us a request with dates and the composition of the group — we will start planning your ideal cruise on the most beautiful lake in Italy.

