Accessible on foot when the lake level drops, this small island on Lake Garda hides a treasure cherished by diving enthusiasts: the wreck of a boat that sank in 1987 and now rests in the depths.
As Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda is home to five islands, including one located just off Malcesine on its eastern shore. Its name alone is enough to spark the imagination: Isola del Sogno, or the Island of Dreams. Yet this tiny private island, measuring only 155 metres in length, has another intriguing feature that captivates visitors: several dozen metres below the surface lies a shipwreck that was deliberately sunk in 1987. It is a paradise for wildlife and plant life alike—and for scuba-diving enthusiasts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-kRZHRkVyc
An island on Lake Garda hiding a shipwreck
Located between Malcesine and Assenza di Brenzone on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, Isola del Sogno is one of the lake’s smallest islands. Measuring around 155 metres long and 42 metres wide, it takes its name from the nearby Val di Sogno, a bay renowned for its stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters.
As the island is privately owned, it is not open to visitors. Nevertheless, it attracts many curious sightseers each year, who come to admire it from the shore.
However, Isola del Sogno is particularly famous among divers. At a depth of around 40 metres lies a wreck that has become legendary: the Delsey, a 16-metre-long iron cabin cruiser that sank in 1987. Still recognisable thanks to the inscription 'Roma 3912' visible on its hull, the vessel is now covered in aquatic vegetation and provides shelter for numerous species found in the lake, including burbot. This unusual attraction has made it one of the region’s most renowned diving sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKdRbaOxwL4
How can you reach the wreck?
At certain times of the year, when the water level in Lake Garda falls, a narrow pebble path appears between the mainland and the island. Visitors can then walk across to this small stretch of land, which lies only around 20 metres from the shore. At other times, it can be approached by boat or by swimming, while enjoying the enchanting setting of the Val di Sogno bay.
A reminder, just in case: Isola del Sogno is private property, and access to the island itself is prohibited.
The wreck of the Delsey, however, can be explored. There are two routes to reach it: either follow the chain linking the boat to the shore, or use the guide line attached to a blue fender located around 50 metres from the coastline.
Even without putting on a wetsuit, the surrounding bay is well worth a visit for its peaceful beaches, spectacular sunsets, and beautiful walking routes.
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