RENT A BOAT
(lido)
If you’re brave enough why not rent a boat for a day and explore the lagoon?
If you head to Lido you can rent a boat from Lido Boats & Bikes, which can be found just off Lido’s main street on Via Perasato 6b (a few metres away from Maleti cafe). They’re open every day from 0900 to 1900.
Where to go
It is completely forbidden for visitors to drive boats in the centre of Venice unfortunately – only local residents are allowed in the canals in the historical part of the city but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful day. The lagoon is amazing – you can visit Certosa, Pellestrina, Sant’Erasmo, and Vignole islands, or go fishing or swimming. With a boat you can reach both the lagoon and the sea. Here are a few ideas for your day out:
Let the kids run round on Certosa island before grabbing a delicious pizza from the street food truck Ape Verde Pistacchio. You can moor boat on the jetty at the north-west tip of the island.
Anchor up in front of the beach at Bacan on Sant’ Erasmo and have a swim before eating at Al Bacan. Here you need to drop the anchor a short distance from the shore and swim or wade to the beach.
Head to Pellestrina for a wonderful lunch at Le Valli agriturismo or have dinner at Ristorante da Memo. Le Valli has a boat parking place and if you phone ahead to Memo they might find you somewhere to moor.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Trattoria Vignole before lazing in the farmlands and orchards behind the restaurant. You can moor the boat in front of the restaurant.
Venture right to the end of Pellestrina and have a drink on the terrace of Bar Oasis at Ca’ Roman. You’ll feel like you are in a completely hidden world! You can moor the boat on their jetty as long as you stay at the bar.
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
Our children love nothing more than a picnic in the lagoon. They’ll jump off the boat for a swim or spend hours fishing. Although the locals rarely put life-jackets on kids we recommend that you ask for a safety vest and ask the kids to keep them on while you’re out on the boat. In the summer make sure you have suncream and hats for your children because the sun is strong.
RULES OF THE LAGOON
As mentioned above you cannot enter the canals in the historical parts of Venice unless you are a resident. The rest of the lagoon is organised into waterways with wooden poles called “bricole”. As the lagoon is extremely shallow in places, especially at low tide, it’s important to stay close to the bricole on the correct side. The boat rental shop will give you a short preparatory course before you take the boat.
Venice Scooter Rental
Address: Via Perasto 6/B, Lido
Phone: +39 388 8888842
Closed: Open every day
Opening hours: 0900-1900
Website: www.scooterrentvenice.com