Venice and the islands of its lagoon seen from the water: a historical Voyage Kayak itinerary, now suspended in its original form because of changes to navigation regulations.
Sea kayaking in Venice: a historical journey to be reinvented
Venice is an iconic destination that Voyage Kayak offered for many years as an unusual journey away from the beaten track. Paddling through its canals and lagoon provided a rare perspective on the city of the Doges, its neighbourhoods, palaces and surrounding islands.
This page preserves the story of that original itinerary: the canals of Cannaregio, the Ghetto, the Arsenal, the area around St Mark’s Square, together with Murano, Burano, Torcello, San Michele and Sant’Erasmo.
Project overview
Italy · Venice · Venetian Lagoon
Not currently offered
The former format can no longer be sold as it stood. The regulations now in force prohibit kayaks from much of Venice covered by our previous route. A new format compatible with these restrictions is being considered. You can register your interest and we will contact you if a new project is developed.
- Format considered
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Days with kayaking
- Up to 5 days
- Accommodation
- 3-star hotel in the lagoon
- Technical level
- Level 2
- Indicative paddling
- 4 to 5 hours · approximately 20 km on the main paddling days
- Transport pass
- Vaporetto pass in the historical format
- Indicative price
- €1,000 per person
The duration, accommodation, route, services and price shown here provide a basis for discussion only. Every element will need to be reconfirmed if a new format that complies with the regulations can be offered.
What made this itinerary unique
- Venice at water level: a completely different perspective on the palaces, bridges and façades of the city of the Doges.
- The historical districts: Cannaregio, the Ghetto, the Arsenal, Giudecca and the area around St Mark’s formed an extraordinary waterborne maze.
- The islands of the lagoon: Murano, Burano, Torcello, San Michele and Sant’Erasmo gave the trip a genuine sense of exploration.
- An island base: four nights in a 3-star hotel in the lagoon, with journeys made easier by the vaporetto network.
- Our own fleet: single and tandem kayaks, carbon-shaft paddles and equipment prepared specifically for the trip.
La Serenissima, between city and lagoon
Venice is more than a collection of monuments. It is a city entirely shaped by water and connected to a vast lagoon environment of channels, islands, shallows and more open stretches.
In the historical format, the paddling days alternated between exploring the city and discovering the islands. Narrow canals revealed an intimate side of Venice, while the lagoon opened towards Burano and its brightly coloured houses, Murano and its glass workshops, Torcello, San Michele and Sant’Erasmo.
Why has the historical trip been suspended?
Since this itinerary was created, water-traffic regulations have fundamentally changed the opportunities for kayaking within Venice. Kayaks are now prohibited from the Grand Canal, Cannaregio Canal, the waterways of the San Marco district and canals used by scheduled public transport services. Other canals in the historical centre are subject to restrictions according to the day and time.
These restrictions affect a large part of the areas where Voyage Kayak used to paddle and which gave the trip its particular identity. The former itinerary can no longer be offered as it was.
Voyage Kayak prefers to suspend the trip clearly rather than advertise a programme whose key elements might no longer be possible. Work on a potential adapted version requires the authorised routes, launch sites, schedules, guiding arrangements, accommodation and logistics to be reconsidered as one coherent whole.
This page is therefore not an offer for sale. It presents the spirit of the historical journey and the basis from which a possible new trip might eventually be developed.
Are you interested in the project despite the absence of dates?
Register your interest and we will contact you only if a new format is successfully developed.
The historical five-day itinerary
The programme below is presented as an archive. It describes the former Voyage Kayak trip and must not be interpreted as a route that is currently authorised, scheduled or offered for sale.
- Day 1 — Arrival in Venice and first paddle
Arrival at Santa Lucia railway station or the airport, followed by a vaporetto journey to the hotel. Depending on the arrival time, an initial sea kayak excursion around Venice, approaching St Mark’s Basin and the central districts. Night in a 3-star hotel. - Day 2 — The maze of Venetian districts
A day devoted to the canals and neighbourhoods of the city of the Doges. The historical route explored Cannaregio, the Ghetto, the Arsenal and different parts of the centre from the water.
- Day 3 — Burano, Torcello and Sant’Erasmo
A journey across the lagoon to discover its islands. Burano and its colourful houses, Torcello and Sant’Erasmo created a more open-water day away from the urban centre. - Day 4 — Murano, San Michele, the Ghetto and Giudecca
Departure by kayak towards Murano, followed by a passage near San Michele before returning towards Venice. The day combined lagoon islands with historical neighbourhoods.
- Day 5 — Final paddle and departure
A final paddle around Venice or Murano depending on the conditions and travel schedules, followed by the return to Santa Lucia station or the airport. The trip ended during the afternoon.
🧭 Historical paddling rhythm: the main days generally involved 4 to 5 hours and approximately 20 km of kayaking. The paddles on Days 1 and 5 were adapted to the arrival and departure schedules.
Accommodation and local transport in the historical format
The group spent four nights in a 3-star hotel on a small island in the lagoon. This location provided access to Venice, Murano, Burano and the other islands without having to move luggage each day.
A vaporetto pass valid throughout the trip completed the logistics. It was used to reach meeting points and made it possible to continue exploring Venice on foot after the day’s paddle.
For any possible future format, the hotel, accommodation island, journeys and transport pass will need to be reconfirmed. They are not currently bookable services.
Meals
- Breakfasts: included with the four hotel nights in the reference format.
- Lunches: at participants’ own expense in small restaurants along the route.
- Dinners: at participants’ own expense, either at the hotel or in Venice.
Lunches and dinners are not included in the indicative price.
Kayaks and equipment
Voyage Kayak used its own fleet for this trip to maintain reliable equipment suitable for different paddler sizes. The final choice of kayaks for any future format will depend on the regulations, logistics and route selected.
- Tandem kayaks: stable and comfortable Nautiraid models.
- Single kayaks: TRAK, Nautiraid and RTM Ysak models according to participants and availability.
- Paddles: Werner paddles with straight or ergonomic carbon shafts.
- Personal equipment: personal flotation device, spray deck and dry bags.
- Additional equipment: safety equipment and paddling clothing suited to the conditions.
Level 2: fitness and confidence on the water
The project is rated Level 2. Participants need to be able to swim and have the general fitness required to paddle on several consecutive days, generally for 4 to 5 hours and approximately 20 km on the main paddling days.
The tandem kayaks provided a stable, accessible option, while the singles suited participants looking for more independence and a livelier paddling experience. The exact level required will need to be reassessed if a new format is developed.
Status, indicative price and services
Not currently offered
The price of €1,000 per person is an indicative basis for considering a possible new format. It is not a currently bookable offer and will need to be confirmed together with all the services.
Provisional package considered: 5 days / 4 nights; four nights in a 3-star hotel with breakfast; guiding by a qualified sea kayak guide; kayaks, paddles, personal flotation devices, spray decks, dry bags and safety equipment; vaporetto pass used during the trip.
Meals: breakfasts would be included. Lunches and dinners would remain at participants’ own expense and would not be included in the price.
Not included: travel to and from Venice; lunches and dinners; drinks; cancellation, assistance and repatriation insurance; personal expenses; any single-room supplement and additional nights.
Everything remains subject to confirmation: authorised routes, actual number of kayaking days, accommodation, transport pass, equipment, price inclusions and conditions of operation.
Practical information
Can this trip be booked?
No. The historical format is no longer offered and no dates are scheduled. The contact button only allows you to register your interest in a possible future version.
Would a future trip follow the programme shown here?
Not necessarily. The programme illustrates the spirit and richness of the former journey, but any future trip will have to be redesigned around the routes that are actually authorised and the new operational constraints.
Provisional start and finish
The historical format began and ended in Venice, with possible access from Santa Lucia railway station or the airport. These arrangements will need to be reconfirmed for any new project.
FAQ — Essential information
Is the Venice trip currently offered?
No. The historical itinerary is no longer offered in its original form because of changes to the regulations governing navigation in Venice and its lagoon. No bookings are currently open.
Is a new format planned?
Voyage Kayak is considering an adapted format, but no launch date or final programme has been announced. You can register your interest and we will contact you if the project is successfully developed.
What might the trip format be?
The working basis remains a 5-day / 4-night trip with a 3-star hotel in the lagoon. The number of kayaking days, routes, accommodation and local transport will nevertheless need to be reconfirmed.
What level would be required?
The project is rated Level 2. Participants must be able to swim and have the general fitness required to paddle for several consecutive days, for up to 4 or 5 hours and approximately 20 km on the main paddling days. The final level will depend on the future route.
What is the price?
The price being considered is €1,000 per person. This amount is indicative: it is not an offer for sale and will need to be confirmed if a new format is created.
Why is the former itinerary no longer offered?
The regulations now in force prohibit kayaks from much of the area covered by the former trip, including the Grand Canal, Cannaregio Canal, the waterways of the San Marco district and those used by public transport. Other canals are subject to time restrictions. Voyage Kayak must therefore redesign a coherent itinerary before any possible future sale.
Where did the historical trip take place?
It combined the historical districts of Venice with islands in the lagoon, including Murano, Burano, Torcello, San Michele and Sant’Erasmo. The route is presented as an archive, not as a programme that is currently authorised.
Where was the accommodation?
The historical trip included four nights in a 3-star hotel on a small island in the lagoon. Any future accommodation will need to be reconfirmed.
Which meals would be included?
The working basis includes four hotel breakfasts. Lunches and dinners would remain at participants’ own expense and would not be included in the price.
Which kayaks would be used?
The historical trip used the Voyage Kayak fleet: Nautiraid tandems and TRAK, Nautiraid or RTM Ysak singles. Kayaks and equipment for any future version will be selected according to the route, logistics and regulations.
Would you like to be informed if a new format is developed?
Tell us your preferred period and the potential number of participants.