Italy · CANOES & KAYAKS
The good kayak trips fill weeks ahead and the best of them go first. Below: the 15 to lock in early, what each includes and how they differ.
Paddle from Spiaggia dei Baracconi with guides such as Marco, Maria, Emmanuel, or Vincent. You will kayak past Cala Moresca, snorkel among fish and sea urchins, search for dolphins near a sea fish farm, and finish with Sardinian snacks on Figarolo Island.
“I liked the atmosphere and the view during the sailing😁 The colour of water is unforgettable 😍”
You’ll kayak around Lake Albano with guides such as Alex, Michael, or Andrea, after a short land lesson. Expect calm water, lakeside history, a forest swim stop, water, and pizza. Meet at the lake or use the Anagnina Metro pickup in Rome.
“Alex was a fantastic tour guide!!! He helped us learn how to kayak and we had a really beautiful tour of the lake where he provided us with wonderful information on both history and nature of the lake!!! It was a really amazing experience!!”
Paddle from Marina Piccola with guides such as Daniele, Christopher, or Alessandro to reach sea caves and beaches that boats cannot enter. You’ll get safety instruction, equipment, a swim stop, Capri stories, and free GoPro photos with the Faraglioni.
“Christopher was a great guide. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing beautiful Capri and the caves . Would do it again!”
Set out from Pescallo with guides such as Michele, Michael, Michaela, or Daniele for a 90-minute paddle around Bellagio’s peninsula. After a short safety lesson, you’ll see Villa Serbelloni, Punta Spartivento, Varenna, and the Alps from a stable open-deck kayak. Expect some splashing.
“What a great experience! Our guide was wonderful and helped with everything. A relaxing and unique way to experience the beauty of Bellagio!”
Escape Rome for a three-hour kayak trip on volcanic Lake Albano. Guides such as Michael, Francesco, Alex, and Alessandro teach beginners, point out Domitian’s Roman port and Castel Gandolfo, and lead you to a secluded swimming stop with pizza or local snacks.
“it was first time for us kayak .. we were a nice group and they where professional in guiding us . we stopped for a break and the instructors where inch away from us .. thank you .. you made our holiday more exciting. keep up your good work. recommended 100%”
Paddle from Baracconi Beach with guides such as Maria, Emmanuel, Marco, and Francesco. After a short lesson, you’ll snorkel at Cala Moresca, stop on Figarolo Island for Sardinian snacks and drinks, and look for bottlenose dolphins near the fish farm.
“I had an unforgettable experience. The landscape was beautiful, I saw sea urchins, dolphins, hermit crab... Marco and Eduardo were both awesome. I highly recommend this activity with closed eyes 😉 If I come back to Olbia, I'll come back here too. Thank you again for this experience!”
Paddle along Monterosso’s Cinque Terre coast with guides such as Chiara, passing caves, waterfalls, and historic sights before stopping to snorkel in a sheltered cove. This two-hour outing suits beginners and families, but you must be able to swim and should bring water shoes and drinking water.
“Chiara was a great guide and took the time to show us all the nooks and crannies along the coastline.”
Meet Sicily in Kayak at Spiaggia delle Acque Calde for a two-hour paddle along Vulcano’s east coast. Your guide supplies the kayak, helmet, wet shoes, life jacket, dry bag, and safety briefing. Expect sea caves, arches, thermal water, snorkeling stops, and bubbling fumaroles.
“Très bon guide ! Avec une excellente réactivité.”
Join a qualified English- or Italian-speaking guide for a one-hour to 100-minute kayak trip through Venice’s canals and lagoon. The small group, limited to six, suits beginners as well as experienced paddlers. Sunset and night departures offer cooler air, softer light, and less boat traffic.
“We loved our Kayak tour! Boris was a great guide who made the whole tour very interactive. We were in a small group of 6 so Boris was able to make it more personal as well. A little bit expensive but would do it again for sure.”
From Marina Piccola, a certified instructor such as Daniele or Christopher guides you past Via Krupp, the Green Grottoes, Arco della Stella, and the Faraglioni. Expect a short kayak lesson, optional swimming, wet clothes, and free GoPro photos. Swimming ability is required.
“Christopher was a great guide, informative and fun. Looked out for everyone, both fast and slow paddlers”
Join Philipp for a three-hour kayak trip from Spiaggia dei Baracconi to Cala Moresca, Figarolo, and the local fish farm. You get snorkeling gear, a Sardinian snack or sunset aperitif, waterproof storage, and a real chance to spot dolphins in a group of no more than nine.
“We had a really great experience with our guide philipp. The weather was unstable the day before our trip, So there was a possibility it had to be reschuedeled/canceled. But good for us it changed again. It was a really relaxed kayak trip and we saw dolphines!! Definately recommand to do this when in Sardinia 🐬🌊”
Paddle from Cala Suaraccia toward Proratora Island and Capo Coda Cavallo with guides such as Luca, Antonio, Gabriele, and Marta. Use a single or beginner-friendly double kayak, enter a marine cave, snorkel over clear shallows, and share seasonal Sardinian fruit during this small-group morning tour.
“It was an amazing trip, safe and very funny because of the waves 🌊 the guys were very good and friendly... The fruits were delicious and cold. I recommend this for friends and couples”
You’ll learn basic sea kayaking with Marco, paddle beneath Tower of S. Maria dell’Alto, and explore coastal caves when conditions allow. The route ends at Porto Selvaggio with a cold spring plunge, a pine-forest walk, and a cliff jump into Gaia Cave. Photos arrive by email.
“Esperienza molto piacevole, un piccolo sforzo ripagato da un bel tuffo in acque fredde. Istruttore molto preparato e disponibile”
Join Chiara and the Carnassa team for a two-hour kayak trip from Monterosso’s Stella Marina Beach Bar. Paddle past caves and coastal views, stop to swim and snorkel, and learn about Cinque Terre’s history, geography, plants, and sea life. Stable sit-on-top kayaks suit beginners and experienced paddlers.
“What a great way to explore the area around Monterosso via kayak! Well organized. Chiara offers dry bags and a safe place to lock our items at the beach. I really enjoyed the kayaking experience and learned a quite bit about the flora fauna from Chiara! Two hours is perfect!”
Paddle west from Maiori with guides Danilo, Salvatore, or Nicola, passing Minori, Marmorata Waterfall, sea caves, villas, and lemon terraces. Stop at Castiglione di Ravello for swimming, snorkeling, fresh fruit, and a relaxed beach break before returning by kayak.
“The activity itself was fun to participate in. Our tour guides were awesome in helping us to kayak if we needed it. I enjoyed the presentation of different sites on the Amalfi coast. Very engaging. I learned a lot. The guides were very lively and friendly and that made the experience much more enjoyable. Halfway through the kayak journey they stopped to let us snorkel followed up by delicious fresh fruit that they served us. Very relaxing. would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a new and fun experience on the Amalfi coast!”
Pick a city, a coastline or a kitchen.
