Vidal Venice Tours: exploring the lagoon aboard a small-group boat

Vidal Venice Tours offers a way to experience Venice from the water at a different scale from a vaporetto or traditional gondola. Founded by Alessandro Vidal in 2018, the business presents itself as a local boat-tour operator offering lagoon excursions and private experiences. Its offer focuses on small groups, adaptable routes and direct contact with the person at the helm. The format may suit visitors who prefer a more flexible outing than a large organised cruise.

A boat of its own and a personal style of service

The company’s website describes a 7.5-metre boat with eleven passenger seats and a canopy for shade. That capacity helps explain the service: this is not a scheduled public ferry with fixed stops, but a booked outing for an individual, couple, family or small group. The operator also says the boat can reach speeds of up to 30 knots; that technical figure does not set the pace of a tour, which depends on the chosen route and navigation conditions.

The published catalogue includes trips toward Murano, Burano and Torcello; private routes through quieter parts of the lagoon; a Venetian aperitif aboard; and swimming outings. Some routes include time ashore, while others focus on the scenery from the boat. Before booking, confirm which islands are included, how long the stop lasts, whether drinks or snacks form part of the experience, and where boarding takes place.

More than transport between islands

Vidal’s proposition makes the crossing part of the experience. From the water, passengers see bell towers, façades facing the lagoon and the transition between the historic centre and the islands. On a private trip, the itinerary can be adapted to a group’s interests, subject to the skipper’s availability and local navigation rules. The operator advertises customisable options, but that should not be read as a promise that every route is possible on every date.

A visit to Murano can connect the trip with the island’s glassmaking tradition; Burano has a markedly different urban landscape and a history tied to fishing and lace; Torcello offers a less dense setting than the monumental centre. Vidal promotes excursions to these islands and the lagoon, but time ashore and access to workshops or other venues depend on the selected route. For swimming departures, safety and weather are decisive, so the advertised experience should be confirmed before purchase.

What travellers say

Tripadvisor showed Vidal Venice Tours at 5.0 out of 5 from 71 reviews on the listing checked on 23 October 2026. Visible comments repeatedly praise Alessandro’s friendliness, explanations and the chance to travel through less busy areas. Other accounts describe sunset aperitifs and private outings; these are individual experiences, not a guarantee that every tour includes the same drinks, stops or duration. That distinction matters for a small-capacity operator whose product is organised around a specific booking and itinerary.

Vidal Venice Tours may appeal to visitors who want to spend time on the lagoon without joining a large group. Boat capacity, the social setting on board and route flexibility can be advantages for small parties, while anyone seeking low-cost transport between islands should compare the experience with public services. The operator publishes its trips and contact details on its official website. The external score cited here belongs to the exact Vidal Venice Tours listing on Tripadvisor.