Kayak & canoe · ITALY KAYAK TOURS
Sea caves on the Sorrento coast, dolphins off Sardinia and lake paddles in the north. These 15 compare launch points, distances and prices, with a note on which ones run in the early morning to beat the boat traffic.
Paddle from Spiaggia dei Baracconi with marine biologists toward Cala Moresca, Figarolo, and a sea fish farm where dolphins are often seen. You will kayak, snorkel, learn about local sea life, and finish with Sardinian snacks and drinks. Guides may include Marco, Maria, Emmanuel, or Vincent.
“HUGE thanks to Emmanuel and Maria that made the experience so unique!”
Paddle from Marina Piccola with guides such as Daniele, Francesco, Pasquale, and Christopher. You’ll enter Green Caves, visit the Cave of the Water, swim in clear sea, pass under an arch, and receive GoPro photos with the Faraglioni behind you.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our kayak tour and in particular the swim into the small blue grotto. Our guide Francesco was both friendly and helpful thought our tour and really help make the experience. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience Capri in a unique way!”
Meet your guide at Anagnina or Lake Albano, then paddle past Castel Gandolfo, Domitian’s Roman port, the Village of the Millstones, and the Pope’s Trampoline. Guides such as Enrico, Simone, Andrea, and Matteo help beginners, with swimming, pizza, showers, and transport included.
“Fantastic morning kayaking on the lake. A beautiful, peaceful setting with a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere from our host. Enjoyed the swim and pizza too. Thank you!”
Spend about three hours kayaking around Lake Albano with a local guide, learning basic paddling before visiting Le Macine, the Pope’s old swimming platform, and forest-side hermits’ houses. Stop for a swim, water, and pizza. Pickup is available from Anagnina Metro station.
“This Kayaking group was amazing. They stayed with the everyone gave clear instructions. This was my children first time and they throughly enjoyed it. The crew was very pleasant. Restaurants in the area and different paths to get to the beach.”
Start with a safety briefing, then paddle an open-deck kayak around Bellagio’s peninsula with guides such as Michele, Mich, Michaela, or Daniele. See Villa Serbelloni, Punta Spartivento, Varenna, and the Alps from the water. Expect a gentle workout, calm morning views, and some splashing.
“Lots of fun and great to see the lake from a different view. Tip you may get a wet bottom from waves.”
Meet RVK Real Venetian Kayak near Calle Brazzo for a 1-hour-40-minute guided paddle through narrow canals and possibly the lagoon. English-speaking guides such as Nev, Darryl, Lorenzo, and Toph provide instruction, local stories, and patient help. Single and double kayaks, paddles, and life vests are included.
“Having kayak experience helped us. Would not recommend for those having none. It was booked for 1 hour but ended up being over two hours.”
Paddle from Baracconi Beach with guides including Maria, Emmanuel, Marco, and Francesco. Stop to snorkel at Cala Moresca, visit Figarolo Island for Sardinian snacks and drinks, and look for bottlenose dolphins near the fish farm. The three-hour trip suits beginners, families, and confident paddlers.
“The guide, the water, the dolphins, the snorkeling, the kayaking... 10s across the board! Highly recommended!”
Join a qualified English or Italian speaking guide such as Darryl, Thomas, Lorenzo, or Irene for a 60 to 100 minute kayak tour through Cannaregio and the lagoon. Beginners and families can take part, with kayaks, paddles, life vests, lockers, and a safety briefing provided.
“A lovely way to explore and see Venice from another angle. Great guide. Would love the option for a longer distance paddle as we were left wanting more😊(a good thing👍🏻)”
Meet Sorrento SUP & Kayak at Marina Grande for a gentle two-hour paddle to Bagni della Regina Giovanna. Guides such as Valentina and Christian offer clear coaching, local stories, free photos, dry bags, and a 30-minute swim stop. Kayaks are single or double, based on availability.
“It was amazing. I wasn’t going to do it but my friend wanted me too. They found a space. I had so much trouble with the kayak. However the guide clipped our kayaks together and lead the way. He was fantastic. I would definitely recommend this.”
Set out from Maiori with local guides including Danilo, Salvatore, Nicola, and Danny for a 3.5-hour paddle past Norman Tower, lemon terraces, sea caves, and Grotta di Pandora. You’ll stop at a clear-water beach to swim, snorkel, eat fresh fruit, and collect tour photos.
“Loved the kayaking and the instructors. The they were very knowledgeable and friendly and made sure we had the best time. We recommend it 100% and would definitely do it again 😊”
Paddle a sit-on-top kayak along Monterosso with guides such as Chiara, Cara, and Kiera, hearing local stories before stopping to swim and snorkel near a cove and waterfall. The two-hour outing suits beginners and families, but you must be able to swim.
“Wonderful way to see hidden treasures of Cinque Terre! The snorkeling was amazing!! Our guide was an absolute delight!”
Meet Eugenio and the Sicily in Kayak team at Spiaggia delle Acque Calde for a two-hour paddle along Vulcano’s east coast. You’ll pass sea caves, arches, turquoise water, thermal spots, and bubbling fumaroles, with kayaks, helmets, wet shoes, life jackets, and dry bags supplied.
“Très bon guide ! Avec une excellente réactivité.”
Start at Marina Piccola with a short kayak lesson, then paddle past Via Krupp, into the Grotta dell’Acqua and Green Grotto, beneath Arco della Stella, and near the Faraglioni. Guides such as Daniele and Christopher help beginners, lead an optional swim, and take GoPro photos.
“This was awesome. The water was clear and beautiful, kayaking into the caves was incredible, and the guide was attentive. None of us are tremendously athletic, yet we were all able to keep up well and all of us had an amazing time.”
Paddle from Spiaggia dei Baracconi with Philipp, an English-, German-, and Italian-speaking guide. Stop to swim and snorkel at Cala Moresca and Figarolo, enjoy Sardinian food or a sunset aperitif, then watch for dolphins near Golfo Aranci’s fish farm.
“We had such a great. The guide was fantastic, so friendly and helpful. The trip itself is at a nice leisurely place. He brought lovely little picnic of wine beer and snacks. When it’s time for sunset and to head to where the dolphins are the atmosphere is so beautiful - very serene and special. Highly recommend.”
Paddle from Marina Grande with certified English-speaking guides such as Antonino and Valentina to Bagni Regina Giovanna, a Roman villa and natural swimming pool. Expect about two hours on calm coastal water, time to swim, free photos, waterproof phone gear, and a hot shower afterward.
“Great experience with excellent guides. Well organised and beautiful scenery. Guides were very patient and it doesn’t matter if you’re not experienced at kayaking.”
Pick the water, the hull or the hour.
