When people think of Italian lake holidays, watersports rarely top the list. The image is all about charming villages, long lunches, and lazy boat rides. But Lake Orta has a surprise: it happens to be one of the finest places in Europe for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and water skiing — and if you're staying at Villa Volpe, the boat can pick you up directly from your private dock.
Why Lake Orta Is Perfect for Wakeboarding
Ask any experienced wakeboarder what makes a lake ideal, and they'll tell you two things: flat water and clean conditions. Lake Orta delivers both in ways that larger, more famous Italian lakes simply cannot match.
At just 13.4 kilometers long and 2.5 kilometers wide, Lake Orta is remarkably sheltered. The surrounding mountains block wind from nearly every direction, creating a surface so flat it looks like polished glass on most mornings and evenings. Compared to Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda, or Lake Como — where ferry traffic, motorboats, and prevailing winds chop the water relentlessly — Orta stays calm. For wakeboarding and wakesurfing, this is everything. A flat wake means cleaner cuts, better air, smoother landings, and far more fun for beginners and pros alike.
Then there's the water itself. Lake Orta underwent a remarkable ecological recovery in the 1990s and is now one of the cleanest lakes in Italy. The clarity is stunning — you can see meters below the surface. For wakesurfers riding without a rope just behind the boat, this isn't just aesthetics: riding through crystal clear water surrounded by Alpine scenery is an experience that stays with you.
Wake&More: Your Partner on the Water
Our friends at Wake&More are the professionals behind the experience. Based on Lake Orta, they run a fully equipped watersports operation with competition-grade wakeboard boats and experienced instructors who work with everyone from first-timers to competitive athletes.
Wake&More offers lessons and sessions in wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakefoil, wakeskate, water skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding. They run summer camps with international coaches and even host national-level wakesurf competitions on Lake Orta — proof that this quiet little lake punches well above its weight in the watersports world.
Whether you've never stood on a board or you're chasing inverts off the wake, their team adapts the session to your level. And if you're traveling with kids, they have dedicated programs for young riders too.
From Villa Volpe's Dock to the Wake
Here's where it gets special for Villa Volpe guests. On request, the Wake&More boat can come directly to Villa Volpe's private pier to pick you up. No driving to a marina, no hauling gear, no logistics. You walk down the garden, step onto the dock, and minutes later you're carving across the glassy surface of Lake Orta with Isola San Giulio in the background.
After your session, the boat drops you right back. Rinse off in the outdoor shower, grab a cold drink, and enjoy the rest of your afternoon on the private beach — muscles pleasantly tired, adrenaline still buzzing. It's the kind of seamless experience that turns a holiday activity into a genuine highlight of your trip.
The Best Conditions: When to Go
Lake Orta is rideable from May through September, with peak conditions in June, July, and August. Early mornings and late afternoons typically offer the flattest water, when the lake turns into a mirror. Summer water temperatures reach a comfortable 22–24°C, warm enough for extended sessions without a thick wetsuit.
The beauty of Orta's small size is that even on busier summer days, the boat traffic never approaches what you'd find on Garda or Maggiore. The water stays rideably flat for much longer stretches of the day.
Not Just for Experts
If you've never tried wakeboarding or wakesurfing, Lake Orta is arguably the best place to learn. The flat water is far more forgiving than choppy conditions elsewhere, meaning fewer wipeouts and faster progression. Wake&More's instructors are patient, professional, and genuinely passionate about getting newcomers up and riding. Most beginners manage to stand and ride within their first session.
Wakesurfing, in particular, has exploded in popularity because it's accessible to almost anyone. You ride the boat's wake without a tow rope, surfing an endless wave at low speed. It's incredibly fun, surprisingly easy to pick up, and feels nothing like the white-knuckle intensity of traditional water skiing. Families with teenagers especially love it.
A Complete Lake Orta Experience
Combining a stay at Villa Volpe with watersports sessions on Lake Orta creates something rare: an Italian lake holiday that balances relaxation with genuine adventure. In the morning, you're wakesurfing on glass-flat water. By lunchtime, you're dining in a medieval piazza. In the evening, you're walking one kilometer to Chef Cannavacciuolo's three-Michelin-star Villa Crespi.
Lake Orta proves that you don't need a massive, crowded lake for world-class watersports. Sometimes, the quieter places do it better.
How to Book
To arrange a wakeboarding or wakesurfing session during your stay at Villa Volpe, simply let us know when you book or contact Wake&More directly. They'll coordinate the boat pickup from Villa Volpe's dock based on your preferred timing and activity.
Book your stay at Villa Volpe and discover why Lake Orta is the Italian Lakes' best-kept secret — on the water and off it.