Lake Orta’s motor-boaters has been a public transport service in Orta since 1923; we use our 8 motorboats to let you see the lake in the better way and enjoy its wonders, going along the shores of this little stretch of water

Some historical information

Steam navigation on Orta’s Lake started in 1878. The first two steamers were Mergozzolo and Cusio; launched on 1^st July 1878, started to do a regular public service on 1^st November of the same year. The following year, in July, was launched a steamer with capacity for 200 people whose name was Umberto 1^st; afterwards, even if for a  little time, another vessel joined the fleet: its name was La Rondine.

Their happy season started to wane on 30^th April 1887 when  the new railways Gozzano-Orta-Omegna- Domodossola, came into operation.

The navigation was suspended from 1892 to 1909, when it was reopened by Orta’s cooperative society with Riviera yacht,  about 20 vessel tons/10 knots, and with Elia Olina in 1911.

That steamer, with the more little Cusio 2^nd (owned by Durio’s family) did a very good utility for several years.

Faster naphtha motorboats followed coal steamers: San Giulio (200 people capacity), Principe del Piemonte and Ettore Motta motorboats, sailed Cusio’s waters during the most difficult years of 20^th century.

Private navigation had a fairly good growth since 1900, beginning from Durio’s family steamboat and Count Tornielli and Eng. Nigra’s gas boat.