Kayaking Lake Como: Bellagio peninsula & Rockefeller cliffs

Paddle past the Rockefeller cliffs on Lake Como's quietest waters

Kayak Lake Como on a guided two-hour paddle from Pescallo di Bellagio beach, paddling past the Rockefeller cliffs and the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni with a small group. Your guide provides safety preparation, a kayak with lifejacket and dry bag, bottled water and a map. The route follows Pescallo Bay and the Bellagio peninsula shoreline, with views of the Alps and the lake's historic villas from the water.

The experience

What makes this kayaking work is the starting point: Pescallo di Bellagio beach sits in a pocket of Lake Como where the water stays calm and the cliffs rise straight up from the shore. You paddle out into Pescallo Bay with a small group, your guide leading the route past the Rockefeller cliffs and along the waterfront of the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. The two-hour paddle keeps you on the water long enough to settle into the rhythm but short enough to fit the rest of a day in the region. Before you push off, the guide walks through safety and how to handle the kayak, so even if you've never paddled before, you know what to expect.

The view from a kayak is different from the shore: the Alps sit across the water, the villas line the peninsula at eye level, and the cliffs loom closer than they look from land. You carry a dry bag for your phone or camera, get bottled water and a map so you understand where you are, and wear a lifejacket the whole time. The guide speaks English or Italian and stays with the group throughout. Public transportation runs to the beach if you're not renting a car, and you can store a backpack at the start so you don't paddle with it.

Bring active wear or quick-dry clothes and sandals or flip-flops. A wet suit and hat are options if you want them. Children from age 6 can paddle with an adult in the boat. The activity runs in favorable weather. If the lake gets rough, the operator offers a hiking tour instead. A minimum of two people books together, and the age range is 6 to 65.

What’s included

• Use of kayak, lifejacket, and small dry bag.
• bottled water and map.
• local guide in English or Italian.
• backpack storage at the start.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Mar 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bellagio Water Sports

Is this one for you?The paddle takes about two hours on the water with calm conditions, so it suits anyone comfortable sitting in a kayak and paddling at an easy pace. The guide handles safety and navigation, leaving you free to focus on the cliffs and villas as they pass.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What's the water like on Lake Como in Pescallo Bay?

Pescallo Bay stays calm and protected, which is why the kayak route starts there. The water is surrounded by the Bellagio peninsula and the Rockefeller cliffs, so you paddle in a sheltered section of the lake rather than open water.

Do I need kayaking experience to paddle this route?

No experience is required. The guide provides thorough preparation and safety instruction before you leave the beach, so you learn what you need to know to paddle safely with the group.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

The activity runs only in favorable weather conditions. If the lake gets too rough, the operator offers an alternative hiking tour instead of the kayak paddle.

What's included in the kayak rental?

The kayak, lifejacket, and a small dry bag come with your booking. You also get bottled water and a map. The guide stays with the group the whole time and speaks English or Italian.