While the Venice Lagoon remains a popular attraction for visitors, there's much more to this waterway than beautiful scenery. This four-hour excursion through the Venetian lagoon, led by a marine scientist or ecologist, follows the progress of modifications to the lagoon and their effect on the lagoon environment. It also takes us to visit some of the smaller islands in the northern part of the Lagoon—like the bone cemetery of Sant'Ariano and the island of la Cura—that remain inaccessible except by private boat. This Venice Lagoon Tour is a wonderful way to get out of central Venice and experience this unique ecosystem in the company of a scientist whose knowledge and research on the Lagoon environment has been critical to shaping EU policy in the region.

Our adventure begins by boarding a traditional boat called a gozzo and departing from the Arsenal. We'll take a quick cruise through this zone in order to discuss vast changes that have been taking place in Venice of late as it deals with the effects of climate change and changing water levels. This will set the stage for a dynamic conversation about human settlement around the lagoon over the last millennia and modern pressures that are resulting from that, which will carry us through the day.

Heading northeast, we will navigate alongside the agricultural island of Sant'Erasmo, where artichokes and asparagus are cultivated, paying special attention to the newly reconstructed marshes and the ecosystems associated with them. We will then pass the famed islands of Burano and Torcello to the lesser known, but equally exciting, bone cemetery of Sant'Ariano and the island of la Cura (the Cure), where extensive groundwater research is taking place in order to examine the source of lagoon pollution. At this point we will double back by the renovated monastery of San Francesco del Deserto.

From here, we head towards the Lido Inlet where we can visit the site where MOSE, a system of barriers that will eventually close off the Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea during times of high water, will be completed. Our guide has served a consultant to this project and will discuss both the technical and controversial political issues that are connected with it. We will then steam towards the area of the lagoon known as Bacan to explore the vital function of seagrass meadows on the lagoon ecosystem. Finally, we will make our way back to the city alongside the old military island of Certosa to understand how they have renovated and solidified their structures.

Looking to see the city proper on the water? Try our Venice Boat Tour. Those preferring to explore on dry land should see our Venice City Tour.

Throughout our time together, our guide will lead a discussion of how rising waters and modifications associated with this process impact the Lagoon. At the end of our excursion we will have an understanding of the physical processes in the lagoon, the modifications that are underway, and the impact these modifications will have on the lagoon environment, which will all, in turn, affect the lives of Venetian residents and tourists.

Note: This visit does take place entirely on the boat. We do, however, make a quick stop at the mid-way point to use facilities on the island of Torcello.