The 11 Kayak Trips in Italy Still Worth Queueing For

1.Golfo Aranci: Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,731 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $53Our pick

Set out from Spiaggia dei Baracconi with guides such as Marco, Emmanuel, Maria, or Vincent. Learn basic kayak technique, paddle past Cala Moresca and Figarolo, snorkel among fish and sea urchins, look for dolphins near a sea fish farm, and finish with Sardinian snacks and drinks. The route changes with wind and sea conditions.

“Great activity, I recommend to book earliest in the morning. It'll be worth it :)”

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2.Castel Gandolfo Lake Kayak and Swim Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 661 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50Top rated

Leave Rome for Lake Albano, where guides such as Alex, Michael, and Carlotta teach you to kayak before leading a calm circuit past Le Macine, the Pope’s diving board, and old hermits’ houses. Expect a swim stop, water, pizza, and roughly three hours on and beside the lake. Pickup is available from Anagnina Metro station.

“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!!”

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3.Caves and Beaches Kayaking Tour with GoPro Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 632 reviews · from $47

Paddle from Marina Piccola into Capri’s quieter caves and coves on this 1.5-hour guided tour. Your guide, often Daniele or Christopher, handles safety, island stories, and GoPro photos. You may enter a Green Cave, visit the Cave of the Water, swim, and see the Faraglioni from sea level.

“Christopher was a great guide. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing beautiful Capri and the caves . Would do it again!”

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4.Lake Como Kayak Tour from Bellagio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 593 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102

Meet near Pescallo for a 90-minute guided kayak trip around Bellagio’s peninsula. After a short safety lesson, paddle past Villa Serbelloni, Punta Spartivento, Villa Fanny, and the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Guides such as Michele and Daniele share local stories, while the small group and open kayaks keep the outing personal.

“The guide Michele was very knowledgeable and explained everything really well . All done at your pace . Very professional and safe .”

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5.Popes’ Lake, Kayak Tour with Swimming & Roman Pizza

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 568 reviews · from $45Best value

Paddle Lake Albano with guides such as Michael, Francesco, Alex, or Alessandro, learning basic technique while viewing Castel Gandolfo, Domitian’s Roman port, and the Pope’s Trampoline. The three-hour outing includes transport from Anagnina, a swim stop when weather allows, water, a pizza slice, and time to shower afterward.

“Had a great day! The tour guides were lovely and a really scenic trip with time to swim in between!”

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6.Guided Canal Kayak Tour at Day, Night, or Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 318 reviews · from $63

You’ll learn basic kayak technique and safety at Venetian Rowing before paddling through Cannaregio and onto the lagoon. Groups are limited to six, with English or Italian guides such as Boris, Julia, Irene, and Agustina. Choose daylight, sunset, or night for a quieter view of Venice from water level.

“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.”

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7.Kayak tour in Capri between caves and beaches. Photos included.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 302 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Starting at Marina Piccola, this 90-minute English-language kayak tour takes beginners past Via Krupp, Grotta dell’Acqua, a Green Grotto, Arco della Stella, and the Faraglioni. Guides including Daniele, Christopher, and Francesco teach basic paddling, take GoPro photos, and lead an optional swim. Swimming ability is required.

“We had a lovely time! The caves were so incredible to see, the water was crystal clear and bright blue, and the ocean felt so nice to swim in. A great adventure!”

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8.Golfo Aranci: Small group Kayak tour with Aperitif &dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 253 reviews · 3 hours · from $58

Join Philipp on a three-hour, multilingual kayak tour from Spiaggia dei Baracconi. Paddle to Cala Moresca and Figarolo for swimming, snorkeling, and Sardinian snacks, then watch for dolphins near the fish farm. Groups stay small, with no more than nine people, and sunset trips include wine, beer, cheese, salami, olives, and bread.

“It was amazing experience. The equipments are very high quality and the route of the tour is great. Especially the first stop, the bay was great. Instructor of the tour made everything easy for us. He is very kind and helpful. If you are lucky you can see dolphins like us. I recommend this tour to everyone, we had a great time.”

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9.Monterosso al Mare: Monterosso Kayak and Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 208 reviews · 2 hours · from $81

Set out from Stella Marina Beach Bar with guides such as Chiara and Sisi for two hours of sea kayaking along Monterosso. You’ll paddle past the old town, hear local and marine stories, stop to snorkel, and may reach caves, a waterfall, or a calm swimming cove, conditions permitting.

“Kiara was an excellent guide! We had a great time with our family. She even retrieved my daughter’s Apple Watch that unfortunately fell off and ended up at the bottom of the ocean. Loved the caves, the crystal clear water and jumping off the rocks. Sisi was also very helpful and nice on the tour as well and took a photo of our family. This was a great experience.”

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10.Amalfi Coast: Kayak & Snorkeling tour, sea caves and beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · from $58

Set out from Maiori with guides such as Danilo, Salvatore and Nicola for a 3.5-hour paddle toward Atrani. You will pass Minori, Marmorata Waterfall, sea caves and cliffside villas, then stop at Castiglione di Ravello for swimming, snorkeling, fruit and a rest before returning.

“Great day spent this the group and the guides! The activity was well organised and the guides were good fun along the entire excursion! It has been a good balance between kayaking, discovering beautiful places and have some fun! Thanks a lot again and good luck for the future!”

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11.Amalfi Coast Kayak Tour: Explore Caves, Arches & Hidden Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 185 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

Set out from Amalfi at 10 a.m. in a stable double kayak with an English-speaking guide. Paddle past Duoglio and Santa Croce, the Arc of Lovers, Conca dei Marini, and Runghetiello Grotto. Tony, Antonio, Andrew, Paulo, and other guides may lead your group, with swimming, snorkeling, photos, and a beach snack included.

“Tony was AMAZING and truly made this experience what it was. He was so friendly and let us explore/jump in without rushing us & answered our MILLION questions. Hes a lover of people and it showed throughout our time”

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