Diving - Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta Travel Guide

The Lake Maggiore region also offers divers some rewarding destinations.

In Lake Maggiore itself there are many easy dives, such as a wreck tour near San Nazzaro, with numerous wrecks including a helicopter, a Cessna and boats, all at accessible depths (between 7 and 30 metres).

There is also an artificial reef at Magadino and the steep rock walls of Brissago, both interesting dive spots.

During the main season (July/August) visibility in Lake Maggiore is usually up to 20 metres.

The real highlight in Ticino, however, is river diving in the Verzasca!

Photo: Acquaverde Scuola SUB (Lavertezzo in the Valle Verzasca)

The Verzasca is a mountain river that flows into Lake Maggiore. It is famous for its emerald-green water and is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. The water is very cold and incredibly clear, so the view of the water-smoothed rocks is indescribably good. Over the centuries the Verzasca has carved out a narrow, winding and in places hard-to-see riverbed, in which the cool, clear, green water flows fast and bubbles wildly.

The dive sites are so-called "gumpen" (plunge pools). Depths range from 7 to 14 metres depending on the pool. The entry point can usually only be reached on foot, which means all equipment has to be carried by hand to the water.

At weekends many divers and dive schools come to this area, so it is best to dive in the Verzasca during the week.

Note: Signs prohibiting diving have been put up at the most dangerous stretches of the river and must be observed without fail! The Commissione Fiume Verzasca Sicuro, the Gruppo Sub Verzasca and the Ticino cantonal police also give advice on enjoyable and safe dives in mountain rivers.

Sadly, several divers have already lost their lives in the Verzasca. The visibility is phenomenal, but especially at the outflows of the pools there is a powerful current that can sweep divers down the river. Diving in the Verzasca is also life-threatening after rainfall!