Tourists Fined and Expelled After Diving into Venice’s Grand Canal
Two visitors were removed from Venice and fined after they jumped into the city’s canals, a practice that is strictly prohibited. City officials said a 35-year-old British traveler and a 25-year-old Romanian traveler were seen diving into the Grand Canal and the nearby Rio di San Vidal, close to the British Consulate. Gondoliers at the San Vidal station alerted local police, who arrived with a service boat and ordered the swimmers out of the water. The pair received fines and an immediate removal order from the historic center. Police had no immediate additional comment.
Why swimming is banned in Venice
Venice forbids swimming in its canals to protect public health, maintain urban cleanliness, and preserve a historic landscape that is both fragile and heavily trafficked by boats. The waterways are active transport routes for gondolas, water taxis, and delivery barges, which makes jumping in dangerous for everyone. City regulations treat canal bathing as a serious violation. Authorities can issue fines and temporarily ban offenders from the areas where the rules were broken.
The penalties in this case
Officials said each traveler was fined €450, roughly $529, and told to leave the historic center for 48 hours. Their trip effectively ended once the order was issued. Venice has used these measures more frequently in recent months as part of a broader push to deter behavior that disrespects local rules or puts people at risk.
A pattern of unruly behavior tied to overtourism
This is not the first time visitors have tried to swim where they shouldn’t. In a previous incident, a video showed a man leaping from a rooftop into a canal, prompting a police search. Since the start of 2025, Venice has issued more than a thousand eviction orders to visitors who violated city rules. Local officials have linked the rise in incidents to overtourism, noting that heavier crowds often bring more cases of reckless conduct.
Venice’s wider crackdown on bad behavior
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice has taken several steps to manage crowds and protect daily life for residents. The city became the first to introduce a day-tripper fee and later set limits on the size of tour groups. Community activists have also pushed back against projects they felt would reduce public access, including efforts to keep the island of Poveglia open to everyone. City leaders say these measures are designed to protect Venice’s identity while keeping it welcoming to responsible travelers.
If you are visiting, here is what to know
- Stay out of the canals. Swimming, diving, and bathing are not allowed anywhere in the historic waterways.
- Use official transport. Rely on water buses, water taxis, and gondolas rather than entering the water yourself.
- Follow posted rules. Fines and temporary bans are common penalties for breaking local regulations.
- Be mindful near busy docks. Keep a safe distance from gondola stations and loading areas, where boat traffic is constant.
- Respect public spaces. Treat bridges, quays, and steps as pedestrian zones, not places to sunbathe or swim.
The bottom line
Venice welcomes millions of visitors every year, but the city’s safety and preservation rules are non-negotiable. The recent fines and removal orders show how quickly authorities act when those rules are ignored. Plan your time on the water the right way—with licensed boats and guided experiences—and you will enjoy a memorable, respectful visit to one of the world’s most extraordinary cities.
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This article was written by Hunter and edited with AI Assistance
