Kayaking Venice Lagoon: Sant'Erasmo, Vignole & Sant'Andrea Fort

Sant'Andrea fortress rises from the lagoon salt marshes, reachable only by kayak.

Kayak through the Venetian Lagoon from Venice to Sant'Erasmo, Vignole, and Sant'Andrea islands over a morning or afternoon. A guide teaches paddle technique and navigation rules before you set out, then leads you through salt marshes and hidden natural spots, stopping to explore a 16th-century defensive fortress, learn the origin of the word "quarantine" on Lazzaretto Nuovo, and rest on Certosa island. The route keeps you in contact with lagoon wildlife and away from the crowded city center.

The experience

You meet at Fondamente Nove in Venice and take a water bus together to Sant'Erasmo island, where the kayak portion begins. Before paddling, the guide covers manoeuvring technique, safety and the rules for navigating the lagoon. The kayaks are stable and not demanding (the operator calls this an easy paddle, not a strenuous one), so the focus stays on what you see and where you go rather than on effort.

The route moves through salt marshes and past the lagoon islands that locals call Venice's vegetable gardens. Sant'Erasmo and Vignole still grow produce for the city, and you hear stories about the people who live there year-round. The main stop is Sant'Andrea, a 16th-century fortress built to defend Venice from naval attack. It sits in the middle of the lagoon and is only reachable by small private boats or kayaks, so this view belongs to very few visitors. You also pass Lazzaretto Nuovo, where the word "quarantine" originated: the island once held ships in isolation during plague outbreaks. Between stops, you rest on Certosa, a natural spot hidden enough that kayak is the way to find it, and from there you see the Venice skyline from a vantage point the city crowds never reach.

The whole outing takes about four and a half hours. You paddle in the company of lagoon wildlife, moving without engines or the noise of larger tour boats, so the impact on the environment stays minimal. The water bus ticket to Sant'Erasmo is purchased onboard on the way out.

What’s included

• Life vest, kayak and ergonomic paddle.
• nature and interpretive guide leading the tour in English, Italian or German.
• pickup from Fondamente Nove in Venice and water bus transport to Sant'Erasmo island.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tourGuide in English, German or Italian · Available from 2 Dec · 08:30 and 14:00Private tour

Small-group shared tourGuide in English, German or Italian · Available from 2 Dec · 08:30 and 14:00Shared tour with a small group

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 4h 30m, runs Wednesday and Thursday at 08:30 and 14:00, from € 169 per person, with a live guide in English, German and Italian, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesWednesday and ThursdayDepartures at 08:30 and 14:00Other times ›

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Under 17: can't be booked

GroupUp to 81 private ›

Live guideEnglish, German and ItalianOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by deTourist Venice Valerio Coppo

Is this one for you?Choose the shared group option if you're comfortable paddling alongside other travelers and want to keep the cost down. Book private if you prefer to set your own pace and have the guide's full attention. Either way, the four-and-a-half-hour span works best if you have a morning or afternoon free and don't mind being on the water for the full stretch.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

21 verified traveler reviews

5 ★21

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I kayak in the Venetian Lagoon if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The guide teaches kayak handling and lagoon navigation rules before you start, and the operator describes the paddle as easy and not too tiring. You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and you must be at least 17 years old.

What is Sant'Andrea and why is it only reachable by kayak?

Sant'Andrea is a 16th-century fortress built in the middle of the lagoon to protect Venice from naval attack. Its remote location in shallow water means only small private boats and kayaks can reach it, so paddling there gives you access most day visitors to Venice never have.

Do I paddle the whole four and a half hours, or do we stop and rest?

You stop several times to explore islands, hear stories about the people living there, and learn the history of each place. One of those stops is on Certosa, a natural spot where you relax before heading back to see the Venice skyline from the water.

Where does the word "quarantine" come from, and will I see that place?

The word originated on Lazzaretto Nuovo, an island in the lagoon where ships were held in isolation during plague outbreaks centuries ago. You paddle past it during the tour and learn its history from the guide.

Is this kayaking tour private, or will I paddle with other people?

You can choose a shared tour in a small group or book a private tour. Both options include the same route, guide, and stops. The difference is whether you paddle with other travelers or just your own party.