Description:

Of all the Italian cities, this one certainly needs no introduction! Venice is one of Europe’s most historic cities and was built by ancient mariners to face the sea, so arriving by yacht you are approach the city through the front door, something very few tourists actually get to see. Time your arrival for early morning and you will experience the beauty of the city as you approach with very little other water traffic.

There are a large number of berthing options in the Venetian lagoon, both anchorages and marinas.

SY Fair Isle over-wintered in Venice 2020/21. See more details on their vlog.

Entrance Notes and Cautions:

The island Lido protects the Venice Lagoon and this will be the first land you see, coverered in trees.

There are 3 entrances: To the north Porto di Lido (the closest to Venice city and the main shipping entrance); in the middle Porto di Malamocco; and to the south Porto di Chioggia. All three are quite difficult to spot as the coast is very low-lying.

The channels are marked by red and green markers on wooden piles. Sailing into the lagoon is not permitted, you must enter under power.

Anchoring in the Lagoon is forbidden, as is the discharge of any waste (including grey water).

Most canals are off-limits to non-residents – even by tender/dinghy – so take care if using your dinghy here.

Because of severe flooding that has plagued Venice in recent years, a mobile flood-gate system has been installed which shuts off the lagoon from the Adriatic sea (due to be completed by 2025). Located at the inlets of Lido, Malamocco and Chioggia, that divide the Adriatic Sea from the Venice Lagoon, the MOSE flood barrier system comprises a network of 78 bright yellow guards.

If arriving on a flood tide it’s likely the gates will be closed and you will have to wait offshore (on a lee shore bear in mind) until the tide falls for the gates to open.

To guarantee navigation and avoid interruption of activities in the Port of Venice, when the mobile barriers are in operation, a main lock is under construction at the Malamocco inlet to allow the transit of large ships, while at the Lido and Chioggia inlets there will be smaller locks to allow emergency vessels, fishing boats and pleasure craft to shelter and transit.

Operating principles of MOSE can be read at Wikipedia.

• www.mosevenezia.eu: website dedicated to activities to safeguard Venice and the lagoon implemented by the Italian State, with a specific section on Mose.
• www.magisacque.it: website of the Venice Water Authority, a local branch of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, whose responsibilities include management, safety and hydraulic protection of the Venice lagoon.
• www.consorziovenezianuova.it: website of the Consorzio Venezia Nuova, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport – Venice Water Authority concessionary for implementing the measures to safeguard Venice and the lagoon delegated to the State.
• www.comune.venezia.it: City of Venice official website.

How Venice Changed my Mind and Won my Heart (article for Yachting World by Phil and Roxy Johnson – August 2023)

Position:

45°25’N, 12°26’E (Porto di Lido) – Main entrance to the lagoon.

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