Venice, Italy is a city known for its romance and canals. What many people don’t know is that Venice is also a great place to go paddle boarding. The calm waters and beautiful scenery make it the perfect place to take in the sights while getting a workout.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of reviews and blog posts?
Here are some of our top picks for visiting Venice:
Our Favorite Hotels in Venice:
- Hotel Cavaletto (budget)
- Hotel Concordia (mid-range)
- Baglioni Hotel Luna (luxury)
Our Favorite Tours in Venice
- Venice in a Day (great if you’re short on time)
- Hidden Gems in Venice (great if you want to get off the tourist track)
- Venice Food Tour with a Local (great for foodies, eat like a local)
- Book a Photoshoot (capture your memories, discount code: WANDERLUST)
Pro Tip: In an order to promote more sustainable travel, Venice is considering implementing a new booking system which may begin next year. Learn more about the Venice booking system here.
Stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, is a great way to explore Venice. The city’s narrow canals and quiet backwaters offer the perfect setting for a peaceful paddle. And with the stunning Venetian architecture all around you, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

One of the more unusual experiences to have in Venice is to paddleboard on the Venice canals. Exploring via SUP tour is a new thing in Venice and one that my 15-year-old son and I were anxious to try. It’s a great activity to do with kids in Venice who are looking for a more adventurous activity.
Our guide from SUP in Venice led us through the Cannaregio neighborhood, which is pretty quiet. The guides are all local Venetians and give instructions on how to paddle board, what to do when a boat comes by, and some history of the area.

You don’t need to have any experience on a paddle board and the water is very calm and flat, so you would have to put some effort in to fall off the board. They offer a specific tour for beginners as well as a standard tour and self guided tours.
It’s a serene experience and an interesting way to see the Floating City off the beaten path.
This was written by my friend Mel who was lucky enough to do SUP in Venice!
Venice Paddleboarding FAQ
Where can you paddle boarding in Venice?
There are a lot of tour guide and businesses that offer paddle boarding in Venice, for example, the North Jetty. Aside from the SUP in Venice that are mostly found in the canals, there are also paddle boarding activities in Venice Beach such as Surf Club Venezia where they offer motor boats aside from paddle boarding.
How to prepare for paddle boarding in Venice?
If you’re going to take the easier route and join tours, make sure you have all the necessary information needed including the meeting point, or else you can use google maps on that. To have an amazing experience in paddle boarding, make sure you take the time and appreciate the amazing view while you’re making your way in the canals of Venice.
Need More Info on Venice?
- The Best Things to do in Venice
- Where to Stay in Venice
- Venice Food Guide
- Venice Packing List
- How to Get Around Venice – Transportation Guide
- Venice with Kids
- One Day in Venice Itinerary
- How Much Does a Gondola Ride Cost
- How to Book a Photoshoot in Venice
- New Venice Tourist Booking System
- Paddleboarding in Venice
- Day Trips from Venice
- Venice Home Page