Float through Chioggia's mirror-still canals and out into the wild southern lagoon aboard a private traditional 'Topa' — the flat-bottomed workboat of Venetian fishermen. An utterly unhurried, deeply local experience.
What to expect
Your skipper departs directly from the cruise terminal quay and noses the flat-bottomed Topa through Chioggia's photogenic canal system, past the colourful fishing boats and the Gothic façade of the Duomo di Chioggia. You then slip out under the medieval port gate into the open lagoon, weaving through the valli da pesca (traditional fish farms), salt marshes, and mussel beds that define this UNESCO-protected ecosystem. The skipper narrates in Italian and English, sharing stories of lagoon life that have changed little in centuries.
Good to know
Book at least 48 hours ahead directly with a Chioggia-based lagoon boat operator. Tours depart from the Chioggia port quayside, meaning zero transit time — ideal if your all-aboard window is tight. Sunset departures (around 18:30 in summer) offer exceptional light.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Chioggia — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.