Around the Lake MAS 28 Private Boat Tour on Lake Como: Wooden Boat for Up to 5, From $202.32
Quick answer
The Around the Lake MAS 28 is a private wooden-boat tour of Como for up to five guests, from $202.32 plus EUR 50 hourly fuel.
It is rated 4.7/5 from 209+ reviews on GetYourGuide, includes a bottle of prosecco, and the boat in the photo may not be the one you sail on.
The Around the Lake MAS 28 is a private boat tour from Como on a wooden motorboat named after the Italian navy's MAS torpedo boats, with a captain who also acts as your guide. It starts at $202.32, takes up to five guests, and you choose between one and eight hours.
The detail that changes the decision is the gap between the listing and the boat. One October 2026 reviewer said the vessel differed from the pictured one, though still a classic wooden-style boat, and that no prosecco was offered. Ask the operator which boat is assigned.
My Lake Como boat tours hub compares the alternatives, and the Harbor Advisor home page links the other cities I cover.
| Operator | Around the Lake, activity provider on GetYourGuide |
|---|---|
| Boat | Wooden motorboat described as the MAS 28, with shade awnings, sound system, refrigerator and a swim platform (per the listing) |
| Group | Private, up to 5 people |
| Price | From $202.32 (about EUR 179.79 at the ECB rate of 16 Oct 2026); fuel is EUR 50 per hour on top |
| Duration | 1 to 8 hours, set by the hours you buy |
| Departure times | Not stated on the listing; the booking page shows slots per date |
| Pier | Sant'Agostino floating pier on Lungo Lario Trieste, facing Bar Lario, Como: Sant'Agostino pier on Google Maps |
| Route | Chosen with the captain; the listing names ten stops and villas between Como and Laglio |
| Food and drinks | A bottle of prosecco, water and refreshments from the fridge |
| Languages | English and Italian |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before the start, with reserve now and pay later |
| Rating | 4.7/5 from 209+ reviews on GetYourGuide (guide 4.9, transport 4.8, value 4.6) |
What is the Around the Lake MAS 28 and what do you get?
You get a private captained boat for the hours you buy, a bottle of prosecco and a route built around what you want to see. The listing says the captain gives information about the villas as you pass, and that the boat has a sound system and shade for hot days.
The MAS name refers to the Italian navy's motor torpedo boats. The listing says they were small and fast, reaching 40 knots, and that the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio served on them. That is the story the operator sells; it does not tell you how fast your boat goes.
- Capacity: up to five guests, a hard cap.
- Comfort: shade awnings for hot days, a fridge, music through a sound system.
- Drinks: a bottle of prosecco and water; one reviewer was not offered the prosecco.
- Swimming: a swim platform; a June 2026 reviewer found the options limited to a rocky beach.
- Insurance: included, according to the listing.
Where does the MAS 28 boat leave from?
It leaves from the Sant'Agostino floating pier along Lungo Lario Trieste, facing Bar Lario, where a staff member briefs you. Sant'Agostino pier on Google Maps shows the listing's coordinates.
| From | Walk | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Como Duomo | 8 min, 581 m | Duomo to the pier on foot |
| Como San Giovanni station | 17 min, 1,255 m | San Giovanni station to the pier on foot |
That is on Como's lakefront. The listing does not name a captain's phone number or a boarding time, so read the confirmation for the call-in details. Reviewers mention the boat arriving on time and clear messages before the trip.
How much does the MAS 28 boat really cost?
The honest figure for the first hour is about $259, because fuel is EUR 50 per hour on top of the booking. The listing calls the price per person, but it is a private boat for up to five, so read the booking page for what the total covers.
| Hours | Fuel EUR | Fuel USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 50 | 56.27 |
| 2 hours | 100 | 112.53 |
| 4 hours | 200 | 225.06 |
| 8 hours | 400 | 450.12 |
| Party | USD each |
|---|---|
| 2 people | 129.30 |
| 3 people | 86.20 |
| 4 people | 64.65 |
| 5 people | 51.72 |
The boat price for longer slots shows only on the booking page, so I show the first hour. Value for money scores 4.6 here, the best of the five Como boats I wrote up, and one reviewer called it not as pricey as some of the other boats.
- Choose 1 to 8 hours on the booking page.
- Ask which boat is assigned and whether prosecco is on board.
- Arrive at the pier and meet the staff member.
- Agree the route with the captain and settle the fuel at the end.
Where does the MAS 28 boat go?
It goes up the western arm of the lake to the villas and hotels of Cernobbio, Torno and Laglio, and the length of the trip decides how far. The listing names ten stops; I have measured each straight-line from the pier.
| Stop | Distance | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Olmo | 1.4 km | Villa Olmo on Google Maps |
| Villa Cagni Troubetzkoy | 2.3 km | Villa Cagni Troubetzkoy on Google Maps |
| Villa Erba | 2.7 km | Villa Erba on Google Maps |
| Cernobbio | 2.8 km | Cernobbio on Google Maps |
| Villa d'Este | 3.3 km | Villa d'Este on Google Maps |
| Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como | 4.3 km | Mandarin Oriental on Google Maps |
| Torno | 5.4 km | Torno on Google Maps |
| Villa Pliniana | 6.3 km | Villa Pliniana on Google Maps |
| Laglio | 8.4 km | Laglio on Google Maps |
The description also mentions Moltrasio, Carate Urio, Faggeto, Blevio, Tremezzo, Varenna and Bellagio, so longer slots can go well beyond Laglio. A June 2026 reviewer wrote that the itinerary could be customised, and another booked a one-hour tour that still covered the best-known villas.
The listing states no cruising speed. Ask the captain what a two-hour slot covers before you choose between one hour and more.
Is the Around the Lake MAS 28 worth it vs a shared trip?
It is worth it for a party of three to five who want a private boat with a bottle on ice, and not worth it for a couple counting every dollar. A shared tour is cheaper per head; this one is yours alone.
| Option | Format | From price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around the Lake MAS (this page) | Private, 1-8 h, max 5 | $202.32 + EUR 50/h fuel | 4.7 (209) |
| Shusciu private classic boat | Private, 1-4 h, covered | $197.82 + EUR 50/h fuel | 4.6 (308) |
| Viemme private tour with prosecco | Private, 1-4 h | $202 | 4.9 (152) |
| SuBacco small-group tour | Shared, 2-3 h, max 8 | $134.88 + EUR 20 fuel | 4.5 (412) |
| Around the Lake 1-hour rental | Self-drive, 1 h | $111 | 4.6 (667) |
The same operator also sells a self-drive one-hour rental. If you want the captain, this page is the one; for the full private list see the private boat tour guide.
12,206,878 passengers travelled on Navigazione Laghi's Maggiore, Garda and Como services in 2025, its best year on record.
The state ferry is the budget way to see the same shore. Regione Lombardia says it runs nearly 100 boats to more than 100 locations on three lakes, per its navigation page.
An adult circular ticket from Como to Nesso is EUR 16.70 on the rates page, with timetables on the Lake Como timetable page. You get no private deck, no bottle and no say in the route.
When is the best time for the Around the Lake MAS 28?
The best window is May to September, with a late-afternoon slot for the softest light and the calmest water. The boat has shade awnings for hot days, which matters in July and August when average highs top 26 degrees.
| Month | Average high | Rain days (1 mm+) | Sunset (15th) | On the water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.5 °C | 7.4 | 17:07 | Cold on deck; covered boats earn their price |
| Feb | 9.7 °C | 8.2 | 17:51 | Cold; keep it to one hour |
| Mar | 12.5 °C | 10.1 | 18:30 | Cool and showery; bring a jacket |
| Apr | 16.0 °C | 11.5 | 20:11 | Mild with showers; light until 20:11 |
| May | 19.4 °C | 17.8 | 20:49 | Wettest month in the sample; check the forecast |
| Jun | 24.8 °C | 14.7 | 21:17 | Warm, long evenings; sunset after 21:00 |
| Jul | 26.8 °C | 12.9 | 21:12 | Hot; shade and a swim stop pay off |
| Aug | 26.6 °C | 12.3 | 20:34 | Hot and busy; book early or late slots |
| Sep | 21.8 °C | 11.7 | 19:37 | Warm and a little quieter |
| Oct | 17.2 °C | 10.7 | 18:40 | Cool; sunset 18:40, jacket on deck |
| Nov | 11.3 °C | 11.0 | 16:54 | Cold; sunset before 17:00 |
| Dec | 8.2 °C | 6.6 | 16:41 | Cold, short days; sunset 16:41 |
Outside summer, the sunset column is your limit. At 16:41 on 15 December a two-hour trip must begin around noon, and the listing names no heating or cover. October highs average about 17 degrees, so bring a jacket.
What do passengers say about the MAS 28 boat?
All 20 reviews I could read were five stars, so the sample is positive-only; the 4.7 average over 209 reviews is the better guide. GetYourGuide's own summary praises the guides and the views, and adds that clearer fuel information would help.
| Theme | Mentions | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledgeable, attentive captain | 14 | The captain is the product |
| Boat described as beautiful, clean or comfortable | 5 | Boat quality is a plus |
| Booked only 1 hour | 4 | One hour covers the headline villas |
| Swimming or prosecco not as described | 2 | Ask before you pay |
| Route tailored to the party | 2 | The route is flexible |
The criticisms are about description, not service: swimming limited to a rocky beach, prosecco not offered, and a photo that differs from the boat on the day.
Who should skip the MAS 28 boat?
Skip it if you want a guaranteed boat match to the photo, a fixed all-in price, or a cheap shared seat. The listing leaves open which boat sails and how fuel is settled.
- Couples on a budget: a shared small-group tour costs less per head.
- Swimmers: a reviewer found only a rocky beach, so choose a ladder-equipped self-drive boat for open-water swims.
- Parties of six or more: the cap is five guests.
- Winter travellers: the listing names shade for hot days but no cover for rain.
How do you book the Around the Lake MAS 28?
Book the private MAS 28 tour tour from $202.32 and pay EUR 50 per hour of fuel on board; cancel free up to 24 hours before.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Check four things on the booking page: the duration and total, the start time, which boat is assigned, and the fuel line.
Frequently asked questions about the MAS 28 boat
How much is a boat tour on Lake Como?
On the products I compare, Lake Como boat trips run from $55 per person on a shared boat to over $400 for a private classic boat. The MAS 28 boat starts at $202.32 plus EUR 50 per hour of fuel.
What is the MAS 28 boat?
The listing describes it as a wooden motorboat named after the Italian navy's MAS torpedo boats. It does not state the engine or cruising speed.
How many people fit on the MAS 28 boat?
The listing says up to 5 people maximum. A party of six cannot book it as one group.
How much is fuel on the MAS 28 boat?
Fuel is EUR 50 per hour and is not part of the booking price. At the ECB rate of 16 October 2026 that is about $56 per hour.
Is prosecco included on the MAS 28 boat?
The listing includes a bottle of prosecco and water, but one October 2026 reviewer was not offered it. Mention it to the captain when you board.
Where does the MAS 28 boat start?
It starts at the Sant'Agostino floating pier on Lungo Lario Trieste, facing Bar Lario. That is an 8-minute walk from the Como Duomo.
Can I swim from the boat?
The listing offers a swim platform, but a June 2026 reviewer found swimming limited to a rocky beach. Ask the captain where the swim stop is.
How long can I book the MAS 28 boat for?
You can book from 1 to 8 hours. Four of 20 reviewers I read booked just one hour and still saw the main villas.
Does George Clooney have a house on Lake Como?
The listing for the Shusciu 40 HP rental calls Villa Oleandra his house. This tour names Villa d'Este, Villa Erba, Villa Pliniana and Villa Olmo.
Is the boat in the photo the boat I will sail on?
Not necessarily. One October 2026 reviewer sailed on a classic wooden-style boat that differed from the picture, so ask the operator.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 672900 (price, inclusions, description, reviews, checked 2026-10-17); Regione Lombardia, lake navigation; Navigazione Laghi service notices; Navigazione Laghi rates; Navigazione Laghi timetables; Navigazione Laghi, Bilancio Consuntivo 2025; Frankfurter (ECB reference rates); Nager.Date; Open-Meteo archive; sunrise-sunset.org; OSRM foot routing; Google Maps.
