The history of Riva Yachts spans over 170 years, beginning in 1842 when Pietro Riva established a shipyard in Sarnico, located on the shores of Lake Iseo in Italy.

In its early years, Riva focused on building boats for local fishermen and traders. By the early 20th century, the shipyard had begun crafting exclusive yachts for celebrities and European royalty, establishing itself as an icon in the yacht-building industry.

The 1950s and 60s marked a golden era for Riva Yachts under the leadership of Carlo Riva, who infused the company with his passion for design and innovation. During this time, some of Riva's most famous models were introduced, such as the Aquarama and Tritone, which became symbols of luxury and style, capturing the world's attention.

In 2000, Riva Yachts became part of the Ferretti Group, one of the leading international yacht-building companies, which also includes Pershing, Ferretti, Itama, WALLY, and CRN. This acquisition allowed the shipyard to continue evolving and offering innovative solutions while maintaining its distinctive character and style.

In 2014, the company announced its entry into the superyacht segment by creating the Riva Superyacht Division. This move led to the launch of the Riva 50, a steel and aluminum model introduced in 2018, and the upcoming Riva 54, a fully aluminum yacht slated for launch in 2025.

Riva Yachts operates three manufacturing facilities:

• Sarnico: Located on Lake Iseo, this 36,000 square meter site is the heart of Riva’s history and produces yachts up to 20 meters in length.
• La Spezia: This key complex, covering 60,000 square meters, was built to expand the company's model range.
• Ancona: One of the largest shipbuilding facilities, spanning 80,000 square meters, houses the Superyacht Division.

Throughout its history, Riva has consistently pushed the boundaries of design, craftsmanship, and performance. The Riva 110 Dolcevita, launched in 2018, embodies the essence of luxury and the good life. This model was followed by the Riva 100 Corsaro, 102 Corsaro Super, and Riva 90 Argo. For sportier and more open designs, Riva offers the Riva 88 Florida and 88 Folgore. Clients also have the option of three-deck models like the Riva 130 Bellissima and Riva 50MT.

The shipyard offers three yacht lines:

• Open: Open motor yachts ranging from 8 to 27 meters.
• Sportfly: Sporty flybridge yachts between 20 and 27 meters.
• Flybridge: Premium flybridge yachts from 28 to 34 meters.

Riva Yachts' historic design partner is Officina Italiana Design, which has been developing exterior and interior designs for the shipyard for over 20 years.