Venice is on many travelers' bucket lists, but few know that the Venetian Lagoon has much more to offer. It consists of 118 islands connected by more than 400 stone bridges. Whether you visit the colorful houses island of Burano, the glassmaking center of Murano, or the island of San Francesco del Deserto - you won't be bored!
🗺️ Geography of the Venetian Lagoon
The Venetian Lagoon consists of two barrier islands, Lido and Pellestrina, forming the central part of the coastal lagoon. The north is bounded by the Cavallino/Punta Sabbioni peninsula, and the southern part is formed by the Sottomarina peninsula.
⚓ Three Entrances to the Venetian Lagoon
Access from the sea is possible through three entrances. Each has its own characteristics and restrictions.
1. Northern Entrance - LIDO (widest)
Characteristics:
- 📏 Width: Approximately 1 km - widest entrance
- 🚢 Usage: Cruise ships heading to Venice
- 🗼 Orientation: Murano lighthouse (300° 40') with black and white stripes
Navigation data:
- Breakwaters: Two impressive breakwaters delimiting entrance
- Currents: ⚠️ Can be quite intense - increased attention!
- Radio: VHF channel 16-11 (24/7 service)
- Sea bottom: Sand, mud
⚠️ Dangers:
- Shallow waters on sides of navigable channels
- Channels marked with Briccolas have no light signals - night navigation challenging
- Dense fogs especially in winter
🚫 Prohibited: Anchoring, fishing, and any other nautical activity
2. Central Entrance - MALAMOCCO (deepest)
Characteristics:
- 📊 Depth: Deepest entrance
- 🚢 Usage: Cargo ships, oil tankers heading to Marghera port
- 🗼 Orientation: Rocchetta lighthouse (287° 20') on Spignon tower
Navigation data:
- Protection: Two long dams protect the access
- Radio: VHF channel 16
- Sea bottom: Sand, mud
⚠️ Dangers:
- Shallow waters on sides of navigable channel
- Fairway usually without light signals
- Dense fogs in winter months
🚫 Strict prohibitions:
- Navigation, anchoring, fishing, any nautical activity in marked area
- Area marked with red buoys
- All vessels must proceed slowly - no wake
- Anchoring in port prohibited
3. Southern Entrance - CHIOGGIA (for recreational vessels)
Characteristics:
- ⛵ Designated for: Smaller recreational vessels
- 🗼 Orientation: New Lunata breakwater on southeast
- 🚦 Speed: Maximum 3 knots in channels
Navigation data:
- Protection: Two long breakwaters + new Lunata breakwater
- Entrances: Two entries - south and northeast
- Winds: Northeasterly prevails
- Radio: VHF channel 16
- Sea bottom: Sand, mud
⚠️ Dangers:
- Keep at least 200 m from dam heads - submerged rocks!
- Follow the fairway - avoid shallow waters
💡 Navigation rules: Navigate channels marked with Briccolas, maximum speed 3 knots, keep the axis of fairway
🪵 Briccola and Meda - Your Navigation Compass
When sailing the Venetian Lagoon, Briccolas are your most frequent helpers. Understanding their system is crucial for safe navigation!
What is a Briccola?
Three wooden poles connected at the top by a steel ring. They appear in two variants:
1. Two rows of Briccolas
- ✅ Navigate between two rows
- ✅ Safe fairway
- ✅ No surprises
2. One row of Briccolas
- 📍 Navigate on the side that is numbered
- 🎨 Or according to color markings:
Briccola color coding:
- ⚪ White: Side of passage
- 🟢 Green: Keep on starboard (right) of vessel
- 🔴 Red: Keep on port (left) of vessel
What is a Meda?
Individual navigation poles that most commonly appear along the shore. They mark the edge of the fairway.
Dama - Intersection in the Lagoon
A special type of Briccola with a short stake on top. Marks crossroads and turnings.
Important symbols on Dama:
- 🔢 Number in red square = speed limit in knots
- ⚠️ Observe right of way
Right of way priority:
- Large marine vessels
- Ferries
- Police craft
- Rescue boats
🆘 What to Do If You Run Aground?
Stuck Outside the Fairway?
Solution:
- 📞 Call a rescue boat
- 💰 Service should be free of charge
- ✅ They'll get you back to the fairway
Stuck in Channel Due to Low Tide?
Solution:
- ⏳ Simply wait for the next high tide
- 📊 Height of high/low tide can reach up to 1 meter
- ⚠️ When anchoring, remember this to avoid "hanging" your boat
💡 Practical Tips for Lagoon Navigation
- 🗺️ Preparation: Study the fairway map in advance
- ☀️ Daylight: First lagoon navigation best during daytime
- 🪵 Briccolas: Always follow markings - your navigation system
- 🚤 Speed: Don't exceed established limits
- 📻 VHF: Monitor channel 16
- 🌊 Currents: Expect them, especially at entrances
- 🌫️ Fog: Common in winter - be cautious
- 📊 Tides: Check forecast - up to 1 m difference
- ⛔ Fairway: Never leave it without good reason
🎯 Is It Difficult?
Not at all! Such an expedition is manageable without problems, you just need to:
- ✅ Keep to the fairway marked by Briccolas
- ✅ Follow established rules
- ✅ Be attentive and considerate
The views during navigation and the panorama of this beautiful "City of Water" are definitely worth it!
MarinaTips Team
michal
