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JUMP IN THE CANAL!
We invite you to explore Venice from a new perspective.
You will be immersed in the authentic and secret parts of the city, its history and traditions.
The tours start in one of the most ancient and historically important Rowing Clubs of the city: Reale Società Canottieri Querini. Then we will take you on a kayak journey to dissect the green water of the Lagoon, sail under bridges, and gaze at church and palace facades.
We invite you to join us and experience it for yourself!
You will be immersed in the authentic and secret parts of the city, its history and traditions.
The tours start in one of the most ancient and historically important Rowing Clubs of the city: Reale Società Canottieri Querini. Then we will take you on a kayak journey to dissect the green water of the Lagoon, sail under bridges, and gaze at church and palace facades.
We invite you to join us and experience it for yourself!
Sustainable Kayak Tours and History of Venice
Choose your kayak tour
kayak tours
We also invite you to attend Venetian Rowing Training!
We will arrange a private rowing class for you with members of Reale Società Cannotieri Querini upon your request.
The Cao Rio project is an initiative of young Venetians determined to preserve the Lagoon environment and local culture. To make a positive impact on the city, we use eco-friendly transportation, encourage active and responsible tourism, and teach guests about local history and traditions.
"Passionate about travel, anthropology, history and geography, I wanted to combine cultural and sports skills to create an original and non-impactful experience for the city".
— Nicolò Caoduro, founder and your guide.
Born in 1989, Doctor of Cultural Tourism Planning and Management, environmental hiking guide, tour leader (associated Assoguide) and basic technician (F.I.C.K.).
"Passionate about travel, anthropology, history and geography, I wanted to combine cultural and sports skills to create an original and non-impactful experience for the city".
— Nicolò Caoduro, founder and your guide.
Born in 1989, Doctor of Cultural Tourism Planning and Management, environmental hiking guide, tour leader (associated Assoguide) and basic technician (F.I.C.K.).
About us
Cao rio
Do you know that Venetian children enjoyed jumping into canals for amusement?
Known as 'Cao rio' in Venetian dialect, it means diving head-first!
Known as 'Cao rio' in Venetian dialect, it means diving head-first!
Our Partner
The Cao Rio project supports a historical rowing club founded in 1901, Reale Società Canottieri Querini.
Throughout Cao Rio tours, everyone can support Venice's sports traditions. Part of the tour's fee is donated to one of the oldest rowing clubs in the city — Reale Società Canotieri Querini. To maintain the Society, it is used for different purposes, including restoring traditional boats.
Thanks to our partner, we have a unique chance to start our tours in the Society's boatyard, immersing you in the culture of Venetian rowing.
Rights reserved Reale Società Canottieri Querini (photo).
Throughout Cao Rio tours, everyone can support Venice's sports traditions. Part of the tour's fee is donated to one of the oldest rowing clubs in the city — Reale Società Canotieri Querini. To maintain the Society, it is used for different purposes, including restoring traditional boats.
Thanks to our partner, we have a unique chance to start our tours in the Society's boatyard, immersing you in the culture of Venetian rowing.
Rights reserved Reale Società Canottieri Querini (photo).
What our clients say
More reviews on
Une très belle manière de découvrir Venise ! Notre guide, francophone, nous a montré la ville sous une autre facette, en nous amenant à travers de petits canaux sillonnant divers quartiers (Cannaregio...). La volonté de Cao Rio de promouvoir un tourisme plus durable est aussi à souligner, et on recommande vivement cette expérience !...
Christophe Jacquot
The other day, I took a Cultural kayak tour in Venice. History is my passion and being able to see the Arsenal and ask Nicolò questions was an awesome experience for me. The most exciting part was when the tour started at the historical rowing club. When you're there, you can see with your own eyes something that was not available to me, the traditional boats...
Mikhail
Il tour in kayak di Nicolò, veneziano doc e guida turistica professionista, è un tour impareggiabile. Non solo per la durata e la convenienza del suo tour rispetto agli altri a Venezia, ma soprattutto per il suo atteggiamento nobile nei confronti della natura, del turista e della sua amata città. Il giro tra i canali silenziosi di Venezia, lontano dalla folla, ti immerge...
Atelier Caruso
FAQ
Prepare for your kayak
Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully before your tour starts. If you have any questions, contact us in advance.
Physical exertion is required on our tours, they are sporty. Different paddling skills are required for different tours. You should know how to paddle or row a kayak, canoe, or other small rowed or paddled boat. During the tours, we often encounter waves of one foot (30 - 40cm ) as well as other boat traffic.
You should be in suitable physical condition (each paddler must be less 120 kilos and be able to enter kayak cabin size 80 cm long and 40 cm wide).
People with serious disabilities and pregnant women after the third month will not be accepted.
You should be in suitable physical condition (each paddler must be less 120 kilos and be able to enter kayak cabin size 80 cm long and 40 cm wide).
People with serious disabilities and pregnant women after the third month will not be accepted.
The only kayak tour that children can participate in is the Naturalistic Kayak Tour.
Children between the ages of 8 and 17 are welcome to participate in the tour, but only in one double kayak with their parents or instructors (i.e., they cannot sail alone). A double kayak has only one place for one child. It will be possible to accommodate a second child on a tour by providing a single kayak, however, he or she should have a basic level of kayaking experience.
Children between the ages of 8 and 17 are welcome to participate in the tour, but only in one double kayak with their parents or instructors (i.e., they cannot sail alone). A double kayak has only one place for one child. It will be possible to accommodate a second child on a tour by providing a single kayak, however, he or she should have a basic level of kayaking experience.
We provide you with all basic kayaking equipment: kayaks, paddles, life jackets. You should arrive in time with a suitable outfit: sports clothing (preferably synthetic or woolen, not cotton, better waterproof), sport shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. Make sure you have a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Please leave all precious things and documents at the hotel. We recommend placing items such as cell phones and cameras in water-proof containers or Ziploc storage bags for protection.
We invite our guests to develop more active tourism by leaving no trace, and what is more, by collecting any rubbish found during the tour. Also, please be respectful of nature and do not damage or remove plants or wildlife.
Always listen to your guide and follow his instructions. “Jump in the canal” is just a slogan, so please do not do it for your safety.
Always listen to your guide and follow his instructions. “Jump in the canal” is just a slogan, so please do not do it for your safety.
Yes, please, contact us via email if you plan a group visit: info.caorio@gmail.com
One traveler may book one place and join a group. When there are no other participants for the same time slot, the tour becomes private for a single traveler and will cost an additional 20 euros.
The starting point for the tours is: Reale Società Canottieri Querini, Fondamente Nove, 6576, 30122 Venice VE.
It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts. If you cannot find us, please call or WhatsApp us at this number: +393773340689.
It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts. If you cannot find us, please call or WhatsApp us at this number: +393773340689.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions
Payments and Bookings
1 - All rates are quoted in Euro (€) both on our website and through our booking office. VAT, booking fees, and all taxes are included in all prices. An initial prepayment of 50% per person plus1.5% booking fee to secure your reservation is required. The final payment (cash or credit card) should be made on the spot. The full amount must be paid before the tour starts. It is recommended that you arrive 15 minutes before the tour begins.
2 - Online payments are made through Stripe. Once the payment has been made, a client will receive a formal invoice and booking confirmation. If you don't receive it, please contact us.
3 - A client will be asked to sign a waiver and release of liability. A client receives the document with the confirmation email after booking completion booking, so a client can read it carefully in advance. Please, take the necessary documents to complete the waiver and sign it on site. Check the data requested for signing the waiver that we will send you with the confirmation email to sign it on the spot.
4 - On site you will be asked for your booking number, first and last name, ticket, confirmation email.
Politics of refunds and cancellations
1 - The tour can be cancelled by the guide in the following cases:
1.1. Bad weather conditions: strong winds, rain, fog, lightning and tornadoes, events, demonstrations, strikes or other conditions that make the tour unsafe or impossible. A client will be contacted to arrange a reschedule for the cancelled tour.
1.2. The guide has the right to cancel the tour if a client arrives drunk or drugged.
1.3. The guide has the right to cancel the tour if a client does not meet the requirements mentioned further (see Participation restrictions);
2 - Regular tours cannot be rescheduled if not by a guide. Only private customized tours can be rescheduled.
3 - A client can cancel a reservation anytime before the tour begins. Please note that the deposit will be retained as a prepayment penalty.
4 - If a client is late for the tour, it will be started without a client and no refund of the deposit can be done. Then the guide and a client can agree on another day and time for another tour for a separate payment.
Participation restrictions
Please read carefully these requirements before booking the tour.
1 - Physical exertion is required on our tours, but they are not sporty. Your paddling skills should be basic. You can paddle or row a kayak, canoe, or other small rowed or paddled boat. At the very least, you should have tried kayaking or canoeing before. During the tours, we often encounter waves of one foot (30 - 40cm) as well as other boat traffic.
2- Each kayak paddler must be less than 120 kilos.
3- Children between the ages of 8 and 18 are welcome to participate in the tour, but only in one double kayak with their parents or instructors (i.e., they cannot sail alone). In a group, only one child is allowed on tours.
4 - People with serious disabilities and pregnant women after the third month will not be accepted.
Thank you for reading carefully all the terms!
What is more, we ask you to leave no trace during and after our tours. Do not leave empty bottles, wrappers, or other garbage behind. Do not damage or remove plants and other wildlife on your tour.
Don't jump in the canal it is just a slogan, but for your security always listen to the guide and follow his instructions.
Payments and Bookings
1 - All rates are quoted in Euro (€) both on our website and through our booking office. VAT, booking fees, and all taxes are included in all prices. An initial prepayment of 50% per person plus1.5% booking fee to secure your reservation is required. The final payment (cash or credit card) should be made on the spot. The full amount must be paid before the tour starts. It is recommended that you arrive 15 minutes before the tour begins.
2 - Online payments are made through Stripe. Once the payment has been made, a client will receive a formal invoice and booking confirmation. If you don't receive it, please contact us.
3 - A client will be asked to sign a waiver and release of liability. A client receives the document with the confirmation email after booking completion booking, so a client can read it carefully in advance. Please, take the necessary documents to complete the waiver and sign it on site. Check the data requested for signing the waiver that we will send you with the confirmation email to sign it on the spot.
4 - On site you will be asked for your booking number, first and last name, ticket, confirmation email.
Politics of refunds and cancellations
1 - The tour can be cancelled by the guide in the following cases:
1.1. Bad weather conditions: strong winds, rain, fog, lightning and tornadoes, events, demonstrations, strikes or other conditions that make the tour unsafe or impossible. A client will be contacted to arrange a reschedule for the cancelled tour.
1.2. The guide has the right to cancel the tour if a client arrives drunk or drugged.
1.3. The guide has the right to cancel the tour if a client does not meet the requirements mentioned further (see Participation restrictions);
2 - Regular tours cannot be rescheduled if not by a guide. Only private customized tours can be rescheduled.
3 - A client can cancel a reservation anytime before the tour begins. Please note that the deposit will be retained as a prepayment penalty.
4 - If a client is late for the tour, it will be started without a client and no refund of the deposit can be done. Then the guide and a client can agree on another day and time for another tour for a separate payment.
Participation restrictions
Please read carefully these requirements before booking the tour.
1 - Physical exertion is required on our tours, but they are not sporty. Your paddling skills should be basic. You can paddle or row a kayak, canoe, or other small rowed or paddled boat. At the very least, you should have tried kayaking or canoeing before. During the tours, we often encounter waves of one foot (30 - 40cm) as well as other boat traffic.
2- Each kayak paddler must be less than 120 kilos.
3- Children between the ages of 8 and 18 are welcome to participate in the tour, but only in one double kayak with their parents or instructors (i.e., they cannot sail alone). In a group, only one child is allowed on tours.
4 - People with serious disabilities and pregnant women after the third month will not be accepted.
Thank you for reading carefully all the terms!
What is more, we ask you to leave no trace during and after our tours. Do not leave empty bottles, wrappers, or other garbage behind. Do not damage or remove plants and other wildlife on your tour.
Don't jump in the canal it is just a slogan, but for your security always listen to the guide and follow his instructions.
Join Cao Rio Community
Become a member of our community: follow our social media and online blog, receive news and interesting materials about Venice. Plan your Venice trip and find local people to meet.
Join us at local events and participate in regular cleaning up activities!
Join us at local events and participate in regular cleaning up activities!
WHAT ELSE?
Cao Rio team also prepared some tips on experiencing Venice sustainably and qualitatively. We're happy to share our advice with friends and guests. You can download a digital brochure on our website that contains these tips.
Discover and preserve Venice with us!
Discover and preserve Venice with us!
6 tips for a slow and sustainable travel in Venice
Voga e Neta: regular clean-ups to preserve Venice
Every first Sunday from March to October, we clean the islands in the Venetian lagoon.
The next one is scheduled for July 2!
The next one is scheduled for July 2!
Last Voga e Neta, we collected trash in the lagoon!
Our social media followers joined us and we became a great team!
Let's go together next time!
Our social media followers joined us and we became a great team!
Let's go together next time!
Voga and Neta. May 7.
The 'Peace on Water' procession and the cleaning of Castello's canals.
Voga and Neta. April 2.
On 4 March, the demonstration against wave motion took place in an attempt to regulate the problem of water traffic in the canals and riverways and in the lagoon.
Demonstrations against wave motion
The Vogalonga is a 'non-competitive' rowing boat regatta held in Venice in May.
Vogalonga 2023
Apply to participate
Upon receiving your application, we'll get back to you with details
Redesign by Annie Eagle
Photo and video credit: Manfred Bortoli