Kayaking in Venice

I did that a couple years ago and it was great! I wanted the full day but went by myself and they only had a half day available. Absolutely worth it! We had the choice, after paddling across the main waterway, of going toward St Marks square or staying in the east side and going through the smaller canals. We did the canals and that's what I'd recommend. St. Marks will look the same from the vaporetto and the water could be choppy. Seeing the canals where people live was something different. The guide was a Venetian so she could talk about all aspects of Venetian life, not just the kayaking. When you get in the vaporetto, be sure to tell them you're going to Certosa. And coming back there's a button to push to call them back. We stood there for awhile before figuring that out. Oops!

Thanks so much, KC! Sounds like it'll be a great part of our trip. It was good to know someone enjoyed it!

Kayaking in Venice, Italy or Venice Beach, CA? I was wondering about the visual quality of Venice Italy canal water. Is their truth to the Venice Italy sewage handling system: http://www.venipedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sewage_disposal

Venice is very unique in terms of its sewage disposal; the canals are
the main way waste is disposed of in Venice, though new technology has
improved the sewage aspect of Venice's infrastructure. However,
bringing a more modern, efficient sewage disposal system to Venice is
a challenge that currently has many obstacles.

I would imagine that the lack of streets and close to sea level location compounded by acqua alta conditions make retrofitting the village with a modern sewage handling system difficult. They would have to do a lot of pressure pumping.

I've heard people talk about an unpleasant smell to Venice, but I didn't notice any problem (October so no acqua alta). No trash or bodies floating in the water either, but maybe don't fall in, just in case. It's not a couch-potato kind of activity, but not terrible either, at least on a calm day.

Have canoed and kayaked for decades in all sorts of places. We love Venice, but it's not a place I want to paddle due to questionable water quality. And let's face it, it's hard to kayak without getting wet to some extent even if one never has to roll or make a wet exit. Hate to be Debbie Downer, just my opinion.

Since you will be in Venice, why not try something a little more traditional?

https://rowvenice.org/

I 2nd the suggestion from JenC. I was planning for the four of us to do the Venice KAYAK experience until I read about RowVenice.org. We did the cicchetti tour last May and it was spectacular! Talking with the ladies who live in the city and could educate us about the rowing traditions of Venice was amazing. Actually standing up and rowing ourselves was indescribably fun. Add some wine, spritzes and some cicchetti and it could not be topped for me -- I love history so that aspect of the traditional boat & rowing style made me choose the rowing. It will come down to which of those two experiences you prefer but I think either one will be money well spent.
Buon viaggio!

I have heard that if you fall in the water they have you take something like 12 showers then send you to the hospital. 8>)

I will add another thumbs-up for Row Venice, It’s a unique experience and really fun. And, one more thing — our RowVenice guide told us that kayaking the canals can be dangerous because the kayaks sit so low in the water that they are difficult to see until the gondolas are very close to them. Also, gondoliers typically call out a traditional warning as they are approaching tight corners to avoid collisions. He said kayakers don’t do this,which also leads to dangerous situations. With Row Venice you’ll have the chance to Row on the grand canal, something I wouldn’t recommend for a kayak, due to turbulence. And if you take the cicchetti tour, you’ll have a unique experience with canal side bars.