Lake Garda offers fascinating scuba-diving experiences, not only because of its beautiful waters, but also for the history of its depths and the variety of plant and animal life to be admired. There are plenty of adventures for divers, either between steep rocks or along the sandy lake bottom.
The best time of year to see as many fish as possible is definitely the summer, although diving is possible all year round. Diving schools dot Lake Garda, in the Veneto; they have certified diving instructors available both for beginners and experts.
The lake, with a maximum depth of 346 meters and waters which, in some spots, are dark and cold, is not for everyone. There are important rules to follow, like compulsory use of surface marker buoys and being equipped with a flashlight and compass.
So what is there to see underneath the sparkling surface of the lake? Fish, of course: pike, eel, trout, carp, the Lake Garda carpione, whitefish, tench, bleak. But there's more. There are several wrecks on the bottom of Lake Garda. For example, the Delsy, a trawler sunk in 1991 close to Malcesine. Other great starting points for scuba-diving are the beaches close to Torri del Benaco, Brenzone and Navene. The local clubs usually organize outings that set out from the shore and offer the chance to rent all necessary equipment.
