Chioggia Under the Moon

This is a truly special, atmospheric experience — nighttime, on water, in a historic boat, with strong ties to local life. You’ll board a restored topa, the flat-bottomed boat once used by lagoon fishermen, for a rare nighttime navigation through Chioggia’s canals. Gliding through the picturesque Canal Vena under the stone bridges and soft lamplight, you’ll see the historic center from the same low-water perspective only accessible by this type of boat that locals have long experienced as they move between homes, docks, and markets. As the boat moves into the open lagoon, the lights of Sottomarina shimmer on the horizon. The sky darkens, the water mirrors the moon, and familiar places take on a different shape at night. Long-eared owls and little owls call from rooftops and trees, while night herons skim silently over the water, hunting in the dark. Damiano, your guide and a lifelong resident, shapes the journey with personal stories — pointing out corners you’d miss in daylight.

This after-dark outing is a rare chance to witness the southern Venetian Lagoon as locals do, from the water at night. Chioggia’s rhythms are still tied to the lagoon’s working culture: fishing boats returning late (Chioggia is Italy’s second-largest fishing port), lamps swinging on piers, owls calling overhead. Even with Venice only an hour away by water taxi, this place feels distant from mass tourism. The topa itself carries history; its low draft lets you slip into corners and canals most boats bypass. Because the boat sits low, reflections feel near, and the shoreline reads differently. On clear nights, the lagoon’s stillness lets stars shimmer on the water’s surface. Night photography here offers striking compositions: reflections, long exposures, low canal bridges. Damiano grew up on these waters. His lived connection and personal stories bring it all together. Consider booking a meal at a Chioggia trattoria before or after your outing to extend the rhythm of the evening.

Damiano Bosetti offers a fresh way to experience the Venetian Lagoon, guiding guests through Chioggia and Pellestrina—towns that carry much of Venice’s feel but are decidedly less crowded and preserve the authentic life of lagoon villages still lived in by their residents rather than overrun by tourists. His aim is to show these places from a local perspective—"Move Like a Local" is his guiding motto, reflecting his firm belief that the best way to discover the lagoon is to travel at the pace and in the manner of its residents. Damiano prefers private, personalized outings that deliver intimate, authentic moments for his guests aboard a vintage, fully restored topa, the traditional Venetian lagoon boat.

Your camera and a warm layer for the evening air.