Venice · CANOES & KAYAKS
This is the shortlist to send a friend: 15 canoes & kayaks tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Glide Venice by kayak through narrow canals and sometimes the lagoon, with a local guide, safety lessons, and eco-friendly low-impact paddling.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our canal kayak - interesting way to see a little piece of Venice from a different angle!”
Kayak Venice by day, sunset, or night with a small guide group, gliding through Cannaregio canals and into the lagoon.
“Great fun activity for our teenagers and us! Definitely didn’t expect to kayak through the Venetian canals but such a great way to visit and a highlight of our stay! Highly recommended, professional and very fun guide!”
Premium 2-hour Venice canal kayak tour with small group guides, canal-to-lagoon route, photo service, and a souvenir water bottle.
“This is an excellent tour, but it is best for experienced kayakers. My daughter and I kayak several times a year, but it was very challenging for us. Our guide was excellent and very good at giving directions, making sure we’re safe and respectful to the traffic in the canal and also provided lots of history of Venice. Despite all that, I don’t think I would do it again unless I was much better at controlling a double kayak. It is hard to make sharp turns, keep up the pace and avoid summer season traffic. I was not able to enjoy the sights as much as I wanted to because…”
Learn to row in Venice’s quieter canals with a small-group lesson, boat-history stories, and views of Cannaregio from the water.
“What a great way to experience the canals of Venice. Stefano told us about the history of Venice’s transport before taking us on the water around the quiet canals and showing us how to row ‘like a local’. Helping to keep Venice’s rowing tradition alive albeit for a couple of hours. Most enjoyable.”
Paddle Venice canals with a small group, learn at a historic rowing club, then cruise toward Arsenale for city views and photos.
“I was looking for a novel way to spend a spare afternoon in Venice, and the Cultural Kayak Class hosted by Aleksandra was perfect! It was a truly unique way to enjoy Venice and learn a bit about the city’s history and architecture. Aleksandra’s enthusiasm for boating and Venice is awesome, and she was a wonderful guide. Having visited Venice several times, this was certainly one of my most favorite experiences. Thanks so much for an incredible afternoon!”
Paddle Venice’s canals at sunset with a small group, pro photo coverage, and guided training at a real rowing club.
“JUST WOW. My boyfriend and I had a short trip to Venice, and this experience was hands-down one of the best parts of it seriously, don’t skip this! If you’re looking for something more personal and romantic (and way less touristy than a crowded gondola ride), this is the perfect choice. It was intimate, peaceful, and absolutely unforgettable. Instead of being packed onto a big boat or following the same old touristy routes, we got to paddle our own path through quiet canals, hidden corners, and breathtaking spots that most people in Venice never even get to see. It felt like we had our own secret adventure tucked away behind…”
Paddle Venice at sunset on a 2-hour night kayak tour through the canals and Venetian Lagoon, with small-group guidance and wildlife facts.
“Mike was great- lots of interesting info, comfortable pace and just an all around great morning on the water.”
Private Venetian Lagoon kayak tour with a local rowing-club intro, quiet channels, and islands like Torcello, often in English, Italian, and Spanish.
“They charged almost double as indicated, you have to pay a second time in cash. This should be included in the price shown.”
Kayak Venice’s quieter islands in the lagoon, visit Sant’Andrea fortress, and spot wildlife on a 4.5-hour eco tour from Fondamente Nove.
“L’originalité de cette activité consiste à faire du kayak dans la lagune nord de Venise, autour des îles Sant’Erasmo et Le Vignole. L’organisateur, Valerio, très sympathique, connaît parfaitement son sujet et la pratique du kayak, qu’il explique très bien, même à un néophyte comme moi. Une demi-journée fantastique en communion avec la nature et l’histoire très riche de cette partie de la lagune.”
80-minute cultural kayak tour from a historic Venetian rowing club, paddling calm canals in small groups and learning sports history.
“Nico fué excellente, vale la pena Kayakear q ir en Góndola, una experiencia única”
Kayak Venice’s Northern Lagoon, 10 km with birds and islands like Murano, plus safety training and small English groups.
“This was actually their cultural tour due to high winds making the lagoon tour unsafe, so I was refunded the difference in cash. The tour was excellent, very good guides and very knowledgeable! It was a very good way to see the city from a different perspective and probably a more Venetian perspective of being in the canal! I would definitely recommend to anyone who is visiting Venice to book onto one of Cao Rio's tours. Hopefully, I will be back in Venice to do the lagoon tour!”
Paddle Venice’s canals in a 1.5-hour tour for beginners, with a local guide, Grand Canal views, and single or double kayaks.
“This was a great way to see the Grand Canal up close and personal. Nadir was a terrific guide and instructor for us newbie kayakers. Thanks so much Nadir!”
Paddle Venice’s canals in a 60-minute small-group kayak tour from Cannaregio, led by local guides, with safety first and gear included.
“Nev our guide was fantastic, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her city. What a great experience and unique way to see Venice, highly recommended. 😄”
Beginner-friendly Venice kayak tour with gear and photos, a lesson at a historic rowing club, then paddling near the Medieval Arsenal.
“Our family had a fun time. Aleksandra and Nico were great, taking time to teach a bit about the history of the club and teach our son how to properly paddle. Also, great pics!”
Private family kayaking in Venice with beginner training at a historic rowing club, calmer Castello canals, and photos included.
“The best Venice experience! Nic, our guide was amazing. So much knowledge of the city and its history. We paddled through some busy canals as well as the less well used, narrow waterways. A great way to see the city.”
Every kind of day on the lagoon, and the best of each.
