Venice Private Boat tours
Reviews
What Our Clients Say
Don't just take our word for it, we have many delighted customers willing to sing our praises!
Patricia, NJ, USA
“I had an absolutely amazing experience with my
family on the boat tour in Venice! From start to finish, everything was top-notch. Our guide, Derek, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the area, making the tour both fun and informative. He knew every hidden gem along the canals and had so many fascinating stories about the city’s history."
Claire Finnie, Hampshire, UK
I recently enjoyed a traditional boat tour in Venice, and it was an unforgettable experience! Our skipper, Derek, was incredibly personable and made the journey both enjoyable and informative. He shared fascinating insights about the city's history and pointed out gems that we would have otherwise missed. The scenery was breathtaking, and Derek enthusiasm truly made the tour special. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Venice!
Derek, NY, USA
Our Venice Boat Tour with Derek was hands down one of the highlights of our two-week trip through Europe. From start to finish, it was an incredible experience, and I can’t recommend it enough! Before our trip, Derek stayed in touch, giving us updates on the weather and helping us plan what we could see. This kind of communication made everything so much easier and stress-free. On the day of the tour, he picked us up at a location close to where we were staying, which was such a thoughtful touch. It set the tone for what turned out to be an amazing day on the water.
Mel Verreck, France
I was really happy to do this again with my family. My first experience was so great that I wanted to share the tour with my mum and uncle and aunt. Derek picked us up in a easy access location and took us around Venice. The tour was well thought through and Derek shared plenty of stories, historical facts and answered all our questions.
I highly recommend this tour.
Joanne Killian , USA
My husband and I had an amazing time on our private boat tour of Venice with Derek. He is extremely knowledgeable, entertaining, and easy to understand. It was well worth the time spent and knowledge gained! We visited from Watertown, Minnesota, USA in October. Our time with Derek was one of the most memorable of our entire time in Europe. We highly recommend him!
Luisa Arredondo , Mexico
Thank you very much for helping me live One of the most incredible experiences I have had on this tour of all the canals of Venice and its surroundings, with all the beauty and history and romanticism that exists in this beautiful place and that would not have been possible without your extraordinary service
Caoimhe & Euchs, Galway, Ireland
Taking a boat tour with Derek in Venice was the highlight of our trip. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights into the city’s history, architecture, and hidden gems while tailoring the experience to our interests making the tour so personable. His passion for Venice and personal touch made it very special and unique. Derek’s warm demeanor made us feel right at home.
Vicki, NM, USA
Our family absolutely loved our private boat tour with Derek. In fact it was the highlight of our time in Venice! Derek was a friendly and knowledgeable tour guide, and he also gave us plenty of time to explore the islands on our own. Derek took us to Murano where we visited a glass factory, Torcello where we wandered and admired the beauty of the peaceful island, and Burano where we enjoyed shopping and a lovely lunch. I highly recommend taking a boat tour with Derek, and we hope we will be able to experience another trip with Derek in the future.
Dawn Byrns, Texas, USA
From the moment Derek picked us up in the most stunning boat, it was clear we were in for a truly unforgettable experience. What made the trip extra special were the personal touches- Derek guided us through quiet canals where locals live, giving us a glimpse of authentic Venetian life. He ended the trip by taking us to the best gelato spot we had during our 2 week vacation. This experience is 100% better than a typical Gondola ride. Skip that and book with Derek-you absolutely won't regret it.
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Sigrid, Germany
Every year when we come to Venice, the boat tour with you is the highlight! Off the beaten track, you show us yet another hidden side of the beauty and uniqueness of Venice.We are already looking forward to seeing you again!
Jackie Wood, Hampshire, UK
The highlight of the holiday!! Derek provided our family of five with a very personable and massively informative trip around Venice. We saw far more than expected and enjoyed the various stories of the sites / buildings. Derek was more than happy to take us to any chosen destination, but we opted for Derek's choice of route; just fascinating We all thoroughly enjoyed the trip - including the teenagers!! Also, no gondola queues too!! Really good fun and highly recommended. We would most definitely choose Derek again for another trip, as we are sure there is so much more to see of Venice and its islands.
Nicole, USA
We took a boat tour during our Honeymoon in Venice. It was an amazing experience to be shown around Venice by a local. He brought a bottle of wine and went around the city on the water. We were able to go places other "traditional" gondolas couldn't go. It was also a much longer tour. I would highly recommend 'Venice Private Boat Tours' for a magical experience. Being from the US it was also amazing to have an English speaking guide.
Tameira, Central America
What I can say is, “Derek is far from your typical, average tour guide” If I could give him “10 Stars,” I would!
Thank you so much from the bottom of a very grateful heart for everything you did for all of us! You are an amazing knowledgeable tour guide with a big heart!
Ian Anderson, AKA Jethro Tull
I call him Derek The Boatman. A font of knowledge regarding the waterways of Venice. Bespoke tours to the major sites and the secret byways and by-waters of that beautiful city. In his traditional vessel he will give you the romantic tour of a lifetime.
Highly recommended.
Helen Brown, Durham, England
Derek could not have been more helpful, speaking to me in advance & checking on the weather forecast so that we took advantage of the best date & time, etc. We had chosen an early evening tour so that we could take in the sunset as well as the sights & it was truly magical.
The traditional boat has been lovingly restored & can cover much more area than a gondola ever could, so you get to see so much more. Derek is a true fountain of knowledge & you can tell that he just loves doing these tours & giving visitors an insight into Venetian life.
Alice, Exeter, UK
After recommendations from a friend, my partner and I went on a fabulous tour of Venice on Derek's boat. The boat was beautiful and Derek was easy going, friendly and extremely knowledgeable of the area - I only wish we'd booked to do it sooner into our trip! We'd recommend Derek's boat tour over a gondola a thousand times over.
Seamus O'Connor, Ireland
I was in Venice with a friend we took a boat trip with Derek he was the most incredible person you could meet he not only took us on a complete tour of the waterways around Venice he showed us the lagoon waters too. He also suggested where to go to dine in the evening I would recommend this service. One of the best if not the best service you could get in any country in the world.
Terri Flynn, TN, USA
Our boat tour with Derek was the absolute highlight of our Venice visit! It was an immersive experience that allowed us to see so much of the city and to learn about the water and the people and the buildings. Derek communicated with us before our trip and understood that my husband had some mobility issues and couldn’t walk the entire city, so he made sure to show us around from his boat! He went the extra mile to recommend a great local restaurant for dinner and even introduced to the owner and staff! Would absolutely recommend Derek’s private boat tour to anyone wanting to fall in love with this magical city!!
Jessica Laverdure, Melbourne, Australia
I highly recommend Derek’s intimate tour of Venice which provided the opportunity to get to know the city and go off the beaten track. Derek provided great details about the city and the history of Venice. As a native English speaker, we were pleased to learn about the city and also avoid haggling for a traditional gondola ride which comes at a great expense for a short period of time! Our tour with Derek was a highlight of our time in Venice and we would definitely go on it again!
Debbie Pezzillo, TN, USA
4 friends from Washington State highly recommend Derek and his Venice boat tour! We are so happy that we spent the day with Derek , taking his boat to Murano, Burano, Torcello was the best! His boat is comfortable and Derek's knowledge of the region is very informative, plus having a native english speaker made it perfect. He picked us up on time, got us to our lunch in Burano on time and took us to a private glass blowing experience where one of us bought a beautiful glass display that eventually was shipped and arrived perfectly in the US.
Stephen, LA, USA
Derek took us around Venice including other surrounding mini islands to explore. I truly got an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. I saw a side of Venice that I never would have without him. You won’t regret the experience. He’s super friendly and accommodating and will also tailer your experience around what you desire which is nice he makes room for flexibility.
John & Wendy McHardy, Brisbane, Australia
We booked a 2 hour sunset trip with Derek for a cruise on the canals in beautiful Venice. We took a few drinks and nibbles with us. It was amazing, Derek was so informative and took us to see lots of the quieter areas and places you would otherwise never get to, where the locals live as well as a spectacular sunset. Can’t recommend highly enough, most memorable experience we did on our overseas holiday.
Eric, Germany
I have been in contact with Derek for over 5 years, and whenever I am in Venice, as a photographer, I call upon him and his boat in order to get the best photos . He knows the canals and lagoon like the back of his hand. His tour is the ideal way to get to know Venice by boat. It honestly doesn't get better than this. It's a joy to spend time with Derek, for me, my family, and my friends I've recommended him to. It's always the highlight of our visit to Venice