Venice by Water

Tips

Ten basic and simple lagoon rules that will make your experience unforgettable and pleasant.

Remember that Venice canals are equivalent to your hometown roads, locals go about their business in the exact same way as people do elsewhere;
therefore you are kindly asked to respect Venice’s water-traffic regulations.
Before each tour the Kayak Rental Venice By Water will give you more specific instructions.  In the meanwhile, you can check them out by yourself!

1

Always ride alongside your instructor, never ahead of him.

2

Never try to pass other boats you will meet along the way

3

Don’t get in the way of other boats

4

Keep left in small canals

5

Give priority to all the boats you will meet on your route and keep a safe distance

6

Slow down to a stop at all intersections

7

Call out loudly as you turn a corner to advise other boats about your presence

8

The wearing of a life jacket at all times is obligatory

9

The Under18 must go with an accompanying adult

10

Respect the city and its locals

Last rule ... ENJOY!

FAQs

First of all, do I get wet?

Usually yes but it’s all in good fun!. So, no worries!

 

I have never used a kayak before. Can I take part in the tour?

Of course, you can. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy our tours, however, please consider that a minimum physical effort is required.

 

Are there any particular pre-requirements for the tour before the start?

No, there are not. You will only be asked to show up at the premises no later than 15 minutes before the beginning of the tour.

 

How do I see the free slots for my booking?

By pressing the button “book your tour” you will be redirected to the slot page. You then have to click on the option that best suits your needs and follow the instructions.

 

How do I know whether my tour is booked or not?

An email with the confirmation ticket will be immediately sent to the email address you have provided us.

 

When do I finalize the payment?

You will be asked to pay an initial amount of 40€  to secure your booking. You will finalize the payment right at the premises (either by cash or card).

 

Which credit cards do you accept?

We accept all the major credit card circuits and also PayPal

 

What is the refund policy?

You can cancel your reservation anytime before the beginning of the tour. Please bear in mind that we will keep your 40€ deposit as a prepayment penalty.

 

How do we deal with bad weather conditions?

If the tour is canceled due to weather conditions, you will be notified within one hour before the scheduled departure time, and you will be fully refunded ALSO of your prepayment deposit.

 

Can I schedule the tour at a different time than what the free slots system shows me?

Unfortunately, only private tours can be customizable. You can do so by writing an email at venicebywater@gmail.com

 

Can we arrange a particular path for the tour?

We daily monitor the tide with the software provided by the municipality. Therefore, tours can only be decided in compliance with the tide by the tour guide and cannot be customized.

 

Is there any discount policy for groups (like students)?

For tours of 7 people or more, send an email at venicebywater@gmail.com

 

Are there any lockers with locks at the boatyard?

Yes, there are, and we suggest you change into your kayaking clothes at the boatyard and leave your city clothes in the lockers.
Note: The lockers are not under surveillance

 

Is there a “dress code”?

As sporty as possible with sneakers.  Windbreaker is ideal.

 

Are there changing rooms at the boatyard?

Yes, there are – you can change in privacy.

 

Should I leave my passport, valuables at the hotel?

It is preferable to leave them in the hotel unless you are paying for your outing in cash at the rental office. Once there, we’ll ask you to show your identity card or passport when paying.

 

Can I rent equipment directly at the boatyard?

Yes. sneakers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, windbreakers, waterproof pants are available depending on sizes and availability.

 

Can I go out without an accompanying instructor?

No, an instructor is mandatory. All outings are accompanied by a local guide in a separate boat.

 

I am a swimming Olympic master. Can I go without a lifejacket?

No. We provide you with a lifejacket and it is mandatory.

 

Can people with disabilities take part in the tour?

We put the safety of our customers above everything. Due to the particular nature of the experience, we’ve decided not to accept people with serious disabilities

 

Can pregnant women take part in the tour?

We put the safety of our customers above everything, therefore we decided to not accept women who are after the 3rd months of pregnancy.

 

What kind of kayaks do you have?

Our kayaks are custom-made and are outfitted with foot pedals as an alternative to paddling. The paddling is considered a non-strenuous exercise and can be done by healthy persons of all ages. The length of each kayak used for these outings is about 4 ½ meters. Each kayak seats 2 persons.

 

Do the instructors speak English?

Of course, they all do!