Private Venice Lagoon boat tour: Bacino S.Marco and Giudecca

Gondola workshops, a working fishermen's island, and the lagoon at dusk

A private boat tour of Venice's southern lagoon lasting about 50 minutes, departing from Fondamenta Bonlini with a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian. The tour visits the squero of S.Found where gondolas are built and repaired, crosses the Giudecca Canal, stops at a quiet residential island where Venetian fishermen still live, and reaches a marine park north of Venice. Private transportation and fuel are included; the skipper navigates while you choose between a sunset tour, a relaxation-focused route, or an extension to Murano and Burano.

Step-by-step itinerary

Venice Lagoon Private Boat Tour

• Meet at Fondamenta Bonlini
• Pass by squero of S. Found
• Pass through canal to Giudecca island
• Admire residential island with fishermen
• View pristine marine park and sunsets
• See small island facing St. Mark's Square

The Experience

The boat leaves from Fondamenta Bonlini in central Venice and heads first to the squero of S.Found—the workshop where roughly 400 of Venice's gondolas are built and repaired. You watch the craftspeople work, then the tour crosses the Giudecca Canal, a waterway that connects the sestiere of Dorsoduro to the island of Giudecca itself. The skipper knows the shallow channels and the tidal patterns; you sit back while the boat moves through water most visitors never reach.

The route takes you to a quiet residential island north of Venice where the last Venetian fishermen still live—not a museum piece, but a working neighborhood where nets dry and boats tie up at doorsteps. From there, the tour enters a pristine marine park where the water calms and the light changes. This is where the sunset tours linger, though the relaxation-focused option lets you set the pace. You can also request an extension to Murano and Burano instead, or ask the skipper to build a different itinerary altogether—Lido, Pellestrina, Chioggia, or Punta Sabbioni are all possible if you contact the operator before booking.

The skipper speaks English, Spanish or Italian, and the whole experience runs about 50 minutes. Transportation and fuel are part of the price; you bring nothing but yourself. Public vaporetto stops are nearby if you need an alternative way back to the city center.

What’s included

• Private boat transportation with skipper.
• fuel.
• live guide in English, Spanish or Italian.
• choice of three tour routes (sunset, relaxation-focused, or Murano & Burano extension).
• custom itineraries available on request.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Colibrí Boat Tour Venice

Is this one for you?Choose this private boat if you want to steer your own route through the southern lagoon and outer islands—your skipper adjusts the pace and stops based on what interests you, rather than following a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

What is the squero of S.Found and why does the tour stop there?

The squero of S.Found is the workshop where Venice's gondolas—roughly 400 of them—are built and repaired by hand. The tour stops there so you can watch the craftspeople at work and see how these iconic boats are made and maintained.

Can I book a tour that visits Murano and Burano instead of the southern lagoon?

Yes. The Murano & Burano tour option is available at checkout and replaces the southern lagoon route. You can also request a custom itinerary—contact the operator before booking to arrange visits to Lido, Pellestrina, Chioggia or other areas of the lagoon.

What time of day does the sunset tour depart?

The sunset tour option is available at checkout, though the exact departure time depends on the season and when the sun sets. Contact the operator to confirm the timing for your travel dates.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not comfortable on boats?

The tour lasts about 50 minutes on calm lagoon water, and the boat is private, so there's no crowding. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for pregnant travelers. If you have concerns about motion or stability, the relaxation-focused tour option keeps a slower pace.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Private transportation, fuel and the skipper are included. Prosecco and cichetti (Venetian snacks) are available for an extra charge if you'd like to add them.