Venice Kayak — Local services in Venice

Absolutely phenomenal experience! My kayak tour through the Venice canals with "Venice Kayak" was nothing short of magical. From start to finish, our guide Shamir provided an unforgettable adventure that left me in awe of this beautiful city.

Shamir’s knowledge of Venice is unparalleled. He shared captivating stories and historical insights that brought the city’s rich heritage to life. His passion for Venice was infectious, making the tour not just a visual treat but an educational journey as well.

Navigating the serene canals in a kayak offered a unique and intimate perspective of Venice that you simply can’t get from the crowded streets or gondolas. Shamir’s expert guidance ensured we felt safe and comfortable throughout, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the breathtaking scenery.

The highlight was paddling through lesser-known, tranquil canals, away from the tourist hustle. We had the rare opportunity to witness the daily life of Venetians, from the charming architecture to the gentle lapping of water against ancient walls. Shamir even took us to hidden gems and picturesque spots perfect for photos, making the experience all the more special.

I cannot recommend "Venice Kayak" and Shamir highly enough. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, this tour is an absolute must-do. It’s a perfect blend of adventure, history, and sheer beauty that will leave you with lasting memories of Venice. Five stars aren’t enough to convey how fantastic this experience was – it’s...

I took a one-day history tour of Venice with Giovanni. He was a fantastic guide, very patient and extremely knowledgeable about the history, geology, and current affairs of Venice. The tour started in their office on Certosa Island with a detailed overview of the lagoon and the city. We were issued light-weight paddles, PFDs, and spray skirts, and walked a few minutes to the touring kayaks. Once launched, we paddled across the lagoon to the city itself. The passage was reasonably rough, but the kayaks proved to be very stable and the spray skirts kept us dry. In Venice, Giovanni led us safely through smaller canals, all the while narrating the trip. We popped out of one canal into the Bacino (the main Venetian waterfront) close to the Rialto bridge, but ducked quickly back into a smaller canal. Ditto the Grand Canal. It was enough to get a taste of those waters and enjoy the view from the unusual angle! (Both the basino and the Grand Canal are very busy and somewhat rough from all the traffic wakes.) We passed countless gondolas and earned curious stares from pedestrians. Since our tour took place on a day with unusually low tides, we were unable to get out of the kayaks in Venice for lunch or a break (the exposed canals and stairs were overgrown with sharp mussels and slick with algae, i.e., unsafe). By the time we got back to Certosa Island, I was quite hungry and in need of a restroom! But the day was a complete success. Our safety was always Giovanni's first priority. I highly recommend...

This will easily be a highlight of my trip to Europe! First, I am a solo traveller so I booked an all day trip already set with another group, but the other group with me cancelled and I did not check my email for awhile and just realized I had an email from Venice Kayak (asking if I could switch days possibly to be with another group) but they still gave me a private tour of Venice and the lagoon on the original day! They were obviously very accommodating to my situation and friendly about it. I had wondered why I was by myself (if solo they encourage you to book with another group) but was never hassled by them about it so I didn’t realize until now. Secondly, it was an absolutely great day. My tour guide told me lots of facts and history of the island. It was clear he grew up there and loved it. I felt very safe in the kayak and the guide checked in with me often to make sure I was comfortable. It was so interesting to see Venice from the canals and from something other than a gondola (which is 80 euros for 1/2 hour!!!). This was so much more worth the time and money than a gondola. I highly...