Venice Kayak review: kayak tours in Venice

Gliding under Venice’s bridges in a kayak, right at water level, while tourists cross on foot above your head: it is a picture that appeals to many active travellers. Venice Kayak specialises in exactly that. It runs guided tours through the inner canals, full days in the lagoon out to Burano, tailor-made private tours and a package for the Vogalonga, the big non-competitive spring row.

This review covers who runs the company, what it sells and for how much, the requirements for taking part (stricter than you might expect), the cancellation rules and the inconsistencies we found on its website. Prices and conditions are those published at the time of our update and may change.

Who Venice Kayak are

Venice Kayak is a brand of Real Venetian Experience srl, a company based at Cannaregio 3347, VAT number 04303500278. According to its “Story & Mission” page, the business started in 2008, when founder René, a long-time kayaker, set out to combine the sport with the history and nature of the lagoon. The website claims more than 5,000 customers since then.

What impressed us most is the safety section. Most guides hold coaching awards from the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation (FICK), from basic coach up to maestro di canoa, have done first-aid courses with the Italian Red Cross, and take part in yearly in-house training on rescues and towing. There is always a first-aid kit and a working phone in the guide’s kayak. Venice Kayak also makes an environmental commitment: on every tour it asks guests to pick up plastic floating in the lagoon.

What it sells in Venice: tours and prices

The Burano day price on the home page, lower than the 2.5-hour tour, looks odd to us: it may be a group rate. The terms state that there are discounts for groups and minors, and that guides cannot offer any others. Check the final price in the booking system before paying.

The Canal Tour includes a certified single or double kayak, paddle, life vest, guide, a short tutorial, water, a free photo service, a post-tour shower and lockers. The home page also lists spray decks, paddling jackets, dry bags and insurance. The tour can also be done in the evening.

For the Vogalonga, you register for the event yourself on the organisers’ website and pay the entry fee separately; Venice Kayak can collect your bib and T-shirt for you. The package includes guide, gear and photos.

There are dedicated offers for corporate groups and kayak clubs, and the website also sells gift cards.

Requirements: read before you book

This is where Venice Kayak is more selective than other boat activities, and rightly so: Venice’s canals are busy with taxis, vaporetti and work boats.

• Minimum two people per booking.
• You must swim. The FAQ calls it essential, and the liability waiver asks you to confirm you can swim at least 20 metres.
• Basic experience. The FAQ says some paddling or rowing experience is “a must”, even though the Canal Tour is rated beginner. If you have never held a paddle, write before booking.
• Children from 6 and at least 30 kg, in a double kayak with a responsible adult.
• Pregnancy: not allowed at any stage.
• Winter: you must bring proper paddling clothing or you cannot join. Venice Kayak only has a few light wetsuits, hats and water shoes.
• Clothing: sportswear, no cotton, a change of clothes, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
• Smoking: not allowed in the kayaks.

How booking works and where tours start

You book on the website and pay online via Stripe, by bank transfer as a deposit, or on the day in cash (up to €1,000) or by card. Everything must be paid before the tour starts. Private tours are requested with a form where you choose length, language and type of experience.

The website is inconsistent about the start point. The FAQ gives Calle Tornielli 2370, Cannaregio; the terms and conditions instead describe a launch site on Certosa island, at the Classic Boats Venice office, served by a vaporetto every 20 minutes. Use the address in your booking confirmation and, if you are starting from the Certosa, take an earlier boat: if you are late the group may leave without you. For vaporetto times and tickets see our ACTV vaporetto guide.

Showers, changing rooms and toilets are within five minutes’ walk of the start; valuables go with you in dry bags.

Cancellation, bad weather and refunds

This is the weak spot. The terms and conditions say:

• You must give at least 24 hours’ notice, and you will be offered another date.
• A refund is only due if you bought Protecht’s TourShield purchase protection when booking; without it, Venice Kayak “is not obligated to refund”.
• In bad weather, the booking is credited to another date.

Other pages say something different: the FAQ mentions a 95% refund if the tour is cancelled for weather, while the safety page promises a refund of all payments when the company cancels. The guide cancels for winds too strong for the group, rain or fog, lightning risk, strikes or events. Our advice: if your dates are fixed, consider the paid protection and ask for email confirmation of what happens if weather cancels your tour.

Languages and support

The tours page says all tours are in English, with other languages on request; the Canal Tour page lists Italian, English and French, and the private-tour form adds German, Russian and Korean. Contact: +39 041 868 8259, info@venicekayak.com and WhatsApp from the website.

What we like

• Qualified guides with FICK awards, first aid and documented yearly training.
• Full kit and a photo service included in the price.
• Lagoon tours out to Burano: a side of Venice few people see up close.
• Real environmental care, with plastic collection during the tour.

What to watch out for

• Limited refunds without paid protection, and website pages that contradict each other.
• Start point given in two different places.
• Strict requirements: swimming, basic experience, minimum two people, no pregnancy.
• Traffic: Venice Kayak itself warns that St Mark’s Basin, the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal are the busiest stretches for motorboats.

Who it is for

Active couples and groups of friends who have done some kayaking and want to see Venice and the lagoon from a different angle. It is not meant for non-swimmers, for anyone after a relaxing outing, or for families with young children.

Alternatives

• Row Venice: Venetian-style rowing lessons standing on a stable batela, with no swimming or experience requirement and young children welcome.
• Gondola: if you simply want to enjoy the canals from the water, our gondola guide explains the municipal fare and shared rides.
• Burano without paddling: by vaporetto or on an organised tour, as explained in our Burano guide.
• More ideas on our things to do in Venice page.

Verdict

Venice Kayak is a serious operator when it comes to safety and guide training, with tours that genuinely take you off the usual routes. For a paddler with some experience it is a truly different way to see Venice. The refund terms, however, are unfavourable and inconsistently worded from one page to the next: book only if your dates are firm, or add the protection and get everything confirmed in writing.

Disclosure: we have no commercial relationship with Venice Kayak and earn no commission on its tours. The button at the top opens walking tours on GetYourGuide, where we do earn a commission; Venice Kayak is booked on its own website.