Venice & the Veneto · CANOES & KAYAKS
Good kayak trips fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Paddle Venice’s quiet canals with a local guide, learning city history from the water in a small, low-impact kayak tour.
“Thank you to Lorenzo for a great experience! We were able to kayak in main ways as well as side streets to see more of Venice and learned history about the city as well. Definitely a unique experience and way to see Venice and would recommend!”
Paddle Venice’s canals and lagoon with a local guide in a small six-person group, choosing a peaceful daytime, sunset, or nighttime tour.
“Mattea was a great guide and showed us around the canals while providing basic history. Such a unique experience that I’m glad we did!”
Paddle Venice’s quieter canals and lagoon with a guide, small groups, quality gear, photos, and a souvenir bottle.
“Samir was a wonderful guide. He told us all about the history of Venice and the architecture we passed by. Seeing the city the way was an incredible, unique experience, and I highly recommend it!!”
Paddle Venice at sunset with local guides Aleksandra and Nicoló, learn Venetian rowing traditions, and see Cannaregio or Castello from the water.
“This was probably the best thing we did on a two week trip of Europe. Not only was Aleksandra a wonderful and friendly guide leading us on a once-in-a-lifetime tour through the canals of Venice, this organization is also doing important work to preserve Venetian history and build communities here in Venice. This is NOT just a tour company that wants your money, it is a small organization that clearly cares for Venice and for rowing. Everyone should do this experience.”
Paddle Venice’s canals with a local guide, visit a historic rowing club, and see the city from a kayak. Best for confident paddlers.
“The actual tour was great and the staff was friendly. All of us on the tour were told that we had to leave our waterproof bags and phones behind, it was very strongly insisted. Total BS, we missed the chance for fantastic photos from a really unique perspective. The guide took his and did take a few posed pictures of us but I was very disappointed at missing the chance to take my own. Also none of us had sunscreen or snacks, just a single water bottle each. The paddling was at a pretty fast pace through tight crowded canals and some extremely choppy and congested open water. Definitely worth…”
Paddle Venice at sunset with local guides Nicolo and Aleksandra, quiet canals, lagoon views, rowing-club access, photos, and expert instruction.
“I actually did a nighttime kayak experience with a different company in May this year, so I can compare for ease of others choosing the numerous kayak tours available. 1. This is the only professional rowing club in Venice-they are twin with Westminster and Henley rowing club in the UK (along with other countries). 2. All equipment was exceptionally well maintained and lifejackets and skirts to protect you from getting wet we’re all clean. 3. Unlike the other company, these provided skirts 4. Access was from a proper decked pier with a ladder onto a boat and was much more stable than the other company we used. It was also…”
Paddle Venice at sunset on a small-group kayak tour through quiet canals and lagoon nature, with gear, instruction, and an English-speaking guide.
“Mike was great- lots of interesting info, comfortable pace and just an all around great morning on the water.”
Paddle beyond Venice’s crowds through Burano, Mazzorbo, and Torcello, with lagoon wildlife, Venetian rowing, and a local guide.
“Our tour guide was really friendly and informative. We loved seeing parts of Venice that are otherwise inaccessible to tourists.”
Paddle Venice’s quiet Cannaregio canals with a certified guide, small groups, quality gear, local stories, and photos included.
“Very enjoyable way to see Venice, especially paddling down some of the smaller canals. Our guide was great and told us interesting facts about the Castello part of the city.”
Kayak Venice’s northern lagoon, visit Burano and Sant’Andrea Fort, and spot wildlife with guide Valerio on this small-group eco-tour.
“Prima afwisseling als je een paar dagen In Venetië ben Victorie maakt het nog specialer Prachtige ervaring”
Paddle Venice’s quiet canals with local guides, visit a historic rowing club, and learn the city’s traditions in a small-group kayak tour.
“Mooie kajaktrip door de minder bekende wijk Castello. Genoten van de zonsondergang! Uitstekende begeleiding door Nicolo en Aleksandra. Geen tocht voor echte beginners, maar daarom juist top!”
Paddle 10 kilometers through Venice’s Northern Lagoon, visiting wetlands and islands with safety training, local stories, and wildlife viewing.
“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 at sunset on a 100-minute small-group kayak tour through Cannaregio, with expert guidance, calm views, and a fresh look at the city.
“Interesting tour of the lesser known areas of Venice with a fab guide - thanks Boris. It was great to get on the water for a unique experience, fantastic views/photos, and something a little different.”
See Venice from the water on a beginner-friendly kayak tour through quiet canals, the Grand Canal, and the Venetian Lagoon with a private guide.
“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 the quiet channels of Val Morosina near Rosolina, spot birds, and explore a small fishing valley with guide Arianna.
“Superb experience! Our very good guide explained to us many interesting things both about the area and about the fauna and flora that we encountered or could have encountered! It is an experience that everyone who lives in these areaRead more”
Pick a canal, a counter or a hillside.
