Lake Como Private Speedboat Cruise: Villas & Swimming Stops

Lake Como by speedboat: villas, stories, and a swim in the water

You board a speedboat at Como pier and cruise the lake's western and eastern shores with a local captain, stopping to swim at Nesso's waterfall and Villa Pliniana, passing George Clooney's villa in Laglio and the five-star Villa d'Este. Drinks and prosecco are included throughout, and the pace is set by the captain's knowledge of the lake, not a fixed schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lake Como private speedboat tour

• Depart from pier in Como
• Admire The Life Electric sculpture
• View Villa Olmo and gardens
• Arrive in Cernobbio and see Villa Erba
• See Villa d'Este hotel
• Admire Villa Le Fontanelle
• Pass Moltrasio and Carate Urio villas
• Visit Laglio, George Clooney's town
• Continue to Argegno fishing village
• Cross lake to eastern shore
• Admire Nesso ravine and Civera bridge
• Swim and dive at Civera bridge
• Visit Villa Pliniana and swim
• Admire village of Torno
• View Mandarin Oriental Hotel
• Tour in front of Villa Troubetzkoy
• Admire viale Geno di Como villas
• End tour and drop off

The experience

"You know, people come here and they think they've seen the lake because they drove past it," Marco said, cutting the engine as we pulled up to Villa d'Este. "But the lake tells you things from the water: things you can't see from the road." That's the whole point of a Lake Como private cruise with one of the captains. Marco, Stefano, Alice, or Alberto, who know the shoreline the way locals know their own neighborhood. You're not following a fixed route with forty other people. You're on a speedboat that moves at the pace of the stories. The tour leaves from the Como pier in front of Bar Lario and heads west first, past "The Life Electric," the Libeskind-designed structure that rises like a sculpture from the water.

What struck me most wasn't the famous names, though yeah, Villa d'Este is there, one of the world's best hotels, and Gianni Versace's Villa Le Fontanelle sits right on the water, and George Clooney's Villa Oleandra in Laglio is exactly as private as you'd expect. It was the smaller places: Moltrasio and Carate Urio with their villas tucked into the mountainside, Argegno as a working fishing village where the captain might point out someone's boat or a family's house. The western shore gives way to the eastern side when you cross the lake toward Nesso, where a natural waterfall drops into the lake from a rock gorge formed by two streams. There's a bridge, the Civera bridge, and if you want to swim or dive, this is where you do it. The water is cold and clear, and the captain will cut the engine and let you have the moment.

After Nesso, the route continues toward Villa Pliniana, another chance to swim if you want it, then Torno (a village that seems to tumble straight into the water), and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The tour winds back toward Como, passing Villa Troubetzkoy and the viale Geno with its city villas. Bottled water, soft drinks, prosecco, and beer are on board the whole time, so you're not thirsty between stops. The whole thing takes four to five hours, depending on how long you linger at the swimming spots and how many stories the captain wants to tell. It's not rushed, and it's not a bus tour with a microphone.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a private speedboat with a local captain, bottled water, soft drinks, prosecco, and beer throughout the cruise. Swimming at Nesso and Villa Pliniana is included.
• you view the villas and landmarks from the water. Hotel pickup is not included, but public transportation to Como pier is available nearby.

Options for this experience

4 options

Private boat tour lasting 1 hourGuide in English · 9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00Duration: 1 hour. Private boat tour of 1 hour

Private speedboat cruise on Lake Como, lasting 2 hoursGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:00Duration: 2 hours. Private boat tour of 2 hours

Private boat tour lasting 3 hoursGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00Lasts 3 hours

Private boat tour lasting 4 hoursGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00Lasts 4 hours

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 1h–4h, runs every day, 9 start times, from € 270 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HERCULES

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see Lake Como's villas and shoreline without a crowded tour boat, and who don't mind spending four to five hours on the water. That's what gives you the time to swim, listen to the captain's stories, and actually feel the lake instead of just passing through it.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Lake Como private cruise?

The tour typically runs four to five hours, depending on swimming stops and how long you spend at each location.

Can you swim during the tour?

Yes. You can swim at Nesso, where there's a natural waterfall and the Civera bridge, and at Villa Pliniana. The captain will stop and let you in the water.

What's included in the cruise?

Bottled water, soft drinks, prosecco, and beer are provided throughout the tour. Entry to villas is not included. You view them from the water.

Who are the captains?

The tour operates with captains Marco, Stefano, Alice, and Alberto. You'll be assigned one when you book.

Where does the tour start?

The speedboat leaves from the Como pier in front of Bar Lario.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or ride in a stroller. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

What if I don't want to swim?

Swimming is optional. You can stay on the boat while others swim, or skip the swimming stops entirely.

Can I book a private speedboat just for my group?

Yes, this is a private cruise. The speedboat is for your group only, not shared with strangers.