About this tour
When Charlie from our BugBitten team took La Flaca, a genuine 1970s Coronado 21 speedboat, out on Lake Como, we got the full Nesso experience without the tourist crowds. You're heading straight for the famous waterfall bridge (Ponte della Civera) that cascades into a hidden gorge — it's the kind of spot that doesn't photograph well from the shore, but from the water, you understand why locals keep it close. The beauty here is flexibility: pick your duration (one to four hours) and your boarding spot, so even a quick hour nets you the magic. Your captain knows the lake's oldest corners, and you're floating past centuries-old villas and timeless villages the whole way. It's private, it's swift, and it doesn't feel rushed.
Highlights
- Vintage 1970s boat feels genuinely period — wood trim, proper character, no plastic tourist trap
- Nesso waterfall bridge up close from the water: perspective you don't get from land
- Swimming option directly under the waterfall if you're game
- Private charter means no fighting for deck space or photo angles
- Strategic boarding points mean even one-hour trips hit the highlights
- Prosecco and bottled water included — proper touch on the water
- Captain navigates you past lakeside villas with actual historical weight
What to expect
You'll meet your captain at one of the pre-arranged boarding spots (either side of the lake works). La Flaca is compact and nimble — don't expect a floating resort, but do expect genuine vintage charm. The engine fires up with character, and you're off past terraced gardens and stone villages that look like they've been there forever. The ride to Nesso depends on your start point, but even from further out, it's not a slog. When you arrive at the gorge, the waterfall bridge reveals itself properly — it's narrower and more dramatic than photos suggest, and the way the water drops into that ravine is genuinely striking. If you've booked a longer tour, your captain might pull into quieter pockets along the shoreline or let you drift near historic homes. The one-hour option gets you there and back with time to linger and shoot photos. Longer slots give you swimming time, more cruising, and breathing room. Throughout, the lake's personality — that mix of Alpine chill and Italian elegance — comes across without feeling contrived.
What travellers say
- Authentic 1970s boat with character — no generic modern charter feel
- Private exclusively — no stranger crowds or rushed schedules
- Nesso waterfall bridge viewed from water beats the shoreline perspective
- Flexible duration and boarding mean one hour actually works
- Local captain provides genuine lake knowledge and history
- Prosecco and water included without upsell niceness
- Small open boat means full sun exposure and no cabin shelter
- Lake water stays cold even in summer — swimming requires nerve
- Motion sickness risk on rougher days; check weather forecasts
- Premium pricing for privacy and vintage experience — not budget-friendly
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is proper private — just you, your group, and a local captain who knows where the lake keeps its best secrets. The vintage boat is a genuine draw: it's seaworthy and safe, but it doesn't feel corporate. Nesso is legitimately beautiful, and seeing it from the water rather than the crowded bridge is worth the trip alone. Prosecco and water are included, which feels generous. One hour is genuinely enough to nail the waterfall bridge if you're strategic about boarding. Kids and non-swimmers are fine; safety gear is provided, and infants can sit on laps.
The boat is small and open, so sun exposure is real — bring a hat and sunscreen, and don't expect air conditioning. If you're prone to motion sickness, choppy days might be rough. The lake can be chilly for swimming even in summer, and there's no heated cabin to retreat to. You're also paying for privacy and the vintage experience, so it's not budget pricing. Villa tickets aren't included if you want to dock and explore gardens. Practical notes: bring a towel if you're swimming, wear non-slip shoes, and remember it's a working boat not a lounge. Petrol, water, and captain are all covered. Departure times are flexible within daylight hours. Best in calm weather — check conditions before you book.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.