Burano and Torcello
Venice is much more than just the city of Venice, and kayaking tours with Venice Kayak don’t necessarily have to go to Venice.
Burano is a colourful little island some 10km north of Venice, and a paddle up there is a very different experience. The island itself is quite small, and has some 3,500 inhabitants, but what first strikes the eyes are the colours. Each house has a different colour, often bright and sharp colours.
On the way up to Burano we paddle through the salt marshes in the lagoon, a rare habitat for unique plants and a plethora of birds and fishes. We also pass the islands of San Francesco del Deserto, Lazzaretto Novo, Sant’Erasmo, San Giacomo in Paludo and Madonna del Monte. Some of these are mentioned in most guide books, others are rarely visited or even noticed.
Beyond Burano is the abandoned island of Torcello with two medieval churches. Torcello used to be a thriving city, but it was abandoned in the 13th and 14th centuries, and now only the churches are left. It is still worth a visit when kayaking, time permitting.
All Venice Kayak trips start from the Certosa island. Click here for instructions on how to find us.
A day trip with Venice Kayak is normally a full day's paddling. We meet at 10 AM in the bar of the Certosa hotel, so we're ready in our kayaks before 11 AM. We'll paddle through the day, in a relaxed pace with a good lunch break and pauses as needed. Lunch is either sandwiches or we'll eat in a café or bar along the way. We typically start turning back at 3-4 PM with the intent of being back on the Certosa island around 5 PM and in any case before sunset.
Most paddling tours in the lagoon are between 20km and up to 25km.
The route is agreed with you before we start, based on your wishes, desires and skills and on external factors such as traffic, weather and tide. A planned route isn't immutable, and if necessary we'll change or adjust it along the way.
Groups can be up to 6 persons. Larger groups can be arranged, but must be agreed upon well in advance, as we have to find an assistant guide for larger groups.
Required skills
We expect our guests to have basic paddling and rescue skills, to feel safe close to water and to know how to swim. You should at the very least have tried kayaking or canoeing before a few times.
If you haven’t paddled a sea kayak before, but still want to try, we’ll start with a short tour in the calm waters close to our base, before we set out in earnest.
Planned Tours to Burano and Torcello
If you’d like to go on a kayaking tour to Burano on another date, contact us and we’ll add a tour for you, if possible.
Practical information
Venice Kayak supplies kayaks, paddles, spraydecks, life vest (PFD), paddling jackets and drybags for change of clothes and valuables. The price also includes maps, use of toilets and showers on the Certosa island, and insurance.
All tours are guided by experienced Italian and English speaking kayak coaches.
Guests should bring sports clothes and shoes suitable for paddling, a change of clothes for afterwards, and protective items for outdoor activities, such as sunscreen, a hat and sun glasses. Water and snacks can be bought on the camp site.
Don't bring cameras that aren't waterproof. It only takes a few drops of salt water to ruin a camera or other electronics. Venice Kayak has one or more waterproof cameras suitable for taking pictures while kayaking. We will send you the photos we take afterwards.
