Boats in Venice: discover Venice from the water

Venice was designed to be accessed by water, which makes exploring it from the canals the best way to experience this unique city. Unlike the public transport system, which doesn't always reach every corner, renting a private boat or joining our Venice boat ride allows you to discover places others can't easily access.

Whether you're navigating the Grand Canal or exploring hidden passages, being on the water lets you truly appreciate the city's charm, its architecture, and the serene beauty of the Venetian Lagoon.

From traditional gondola rides to sailboats, luxury yachts, bragozzi, we offer a wide range of options to suit every traveler. Our ready-to-book and customizable excursions let you experience the beauty of the Venetian Lagoon like never before.

Embark now on a one-of-a-kind journey through the heart of Venice!

Boats in Venice: enjoy aperitif, dinner and daytime cruise

Our ready-to-book and customizable excursions offer you an unforgettable experience on the Venetian lagoon.

Embark now for a unique adventure!

Sailboat Venice lagoon island tour

All Boat Tours

Discover all the boat tours available in Venice and the lagoon. Whether by sailing boat, traditional boat or aboard iconic small yachts.

water taxi boat tour venice italy vivovenetia

Venice Canal Tours

The must popular boat tour in Venice. A 1-hour trip through the canals of the historic centre and along the Grand Canal aboard an iconic water taxi.

sunset tour boat venice vivovenetia

Sunset Boat Cruise

Venice is even more unforgettable at sunset. Why not try a tour that takes you to admire the city’s skyline as the sun sets over the water?

dinner cruise venice italy vivovenetia

Dinner Cruise

Dine on a boat on the waters of Venice and its lagoon, enjoying views of St Mark’s Square or a colourful island.

Boats in Venice: choose the style of travel that suits you best

A boat tour of the Venice lagoon is a fun and authentic experience, and one that’s unique depending on the type of boat you’re on.

Every boat in Venice has its own distinctive style; which one appeals to you the most?

sunset venice sailboat with vivovenetia

Sailboat

A sailing boat of around 12 metres in length that can accommodate up to 10 people on board for private or shared tours. For adventures under full sail.

Tour in bragozzo, Venice Saint Mark with VivoVenetia

Bragozzo

The traditional boat for fishing in the lagoon. Capable of navigating even the shallowest waters. Made of wood and painted in bright colours. For private  and shared tours.

Barca 10 posti esterno

Vintage Cruiser

An iconic vessel with timeless 1970s style, a true symbol of nautical elegance and design. It can accommodate up to 10 people on board. Private tours.

Rental yacht Giacomo Venice VivoVenetia

Yacht

Elegance and comfort. Ideal for private groups looking for a comprehensive tour that includes a seafood lunch or dinner on board. Also perfect for multi-day tours.

Are you travelling in a group?

We organise flexible, tailor-made transfers and tours for all kinds of groups (small and large).

Direct transfers to Venice, island excursions, private lagoon tours, and boat experiences and events. Each option can be tailored to suit the number of participants, timings and specific requirements.

venice boat canal vivovenetia

Boat Venice: rowing or sailing ?

Rowing on the lagoon is an ecologically friendly way to see the waterworld of venice. Tours in the lagoon will always be part of the world of Venetian rowing, the oldest method of navigation in Venice. These boats are still widely used as an agile, economical and above all ecological means of transport! For anyone visiting venice it is possible to learn to how to row with lessons in Venice. Expert rowers will teach you the correct positions in order to be able to manoeuvre between the canals and help you to discover the city and become familiar with these historic wooden boats.

Another way to totally immerse yourself in this typically Venetian atmosphere is to take a Venice Kayak tour. This sports tour is customizable and you can choose the route you prefer: historic, scenic, naturalistic or even at night. The routes are quite diverse but the important thing is to have fun! From this perspective, your view of the city changes completely: you will pass quickly from one side of the city to the other, discovering new sites and views that are impossible to see while walking. Don't worry if you get lost - it happens to everyone!

Redeemer feast venice Italy VivoVenetia

Boats tours in Venice lagoon: Special Events

To make a special event such as New Year, a special party or a date with friends unique, why not organize a private boat trip to Venice?

At VivoVenetia, we organize Venice dinner cruise for two major events: New Year and the feast of the redeemer. To celebrate New Year's Eve, the dinner will be served on board and the dishes will be strictly fish based, respecting traditional Venetian recipes. You will be able to enjoy the spectacular show of our midnight fireworks from an exclusive spot.

Another occasion to see the San Marco Basin illuminated by fireworks is the Feast of the Redeemer. This religious and popular festival receives great interest and participation from residents and tourists. The boats crowd into the grand canal on this Saturday in July at the height of the summer heat along the Giudecca Canal.

sail in the lagoon venice vivovenetia

Sightseeing Venice from the water

There is a whole wealth of history behind the nautical lifestyle of venice and its lagoon islands. For whose who wants to reach places unreachable by vaporetto, this is the perfect solution! For those interested in discovering the history of this environment we propose a tour of the smaller islands, less known and not crowded but full of signs of a distant past, as well as local traditions and customs. The lagoon environment is enormous and extends both to the north and south of Venice. There are numerous islands - some are inhabited; others have been in the past; there are untouched ones and others which are still cultivated today. This itinerary is a way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the historical city center but also to broaden the knowledge of a city and its incredible ecosystem, which has always dictated the lifestyles and behaviours of its residents for hundreds of years.

Another venice lagoon cruise thematic tours are linked to the historical origins of the city, which was founded by Romans in ancient times. The traces of this Roman Venice are still found today in some islands and on the coast. We will take you to discover this past linked to ancient Rome, in search of the remains of the illustrious founders of what became Venice and home to the doges palace.

COULD ALSO INTEREST YOU