Acqua Alta Venice 2026: Live Water Levels, MOSE & Tips

Live water levels in the lagoon now

The 14 ICPSM stations measure the water level every 5 minutes — from Punta Salute at the entrance to the Grand Canal to the offshore platform 15 km off the Lido. If the Adriatic platform outside reads clearly higher than the lagoon stations inside, a storm surge is rolling in. Readings above 110 cm at Punta Salute = official acqua alta level, from 140 cm marea eccezionale. Rule of thumb for travellers: from around 80 cm the lowest parts of St Mark’s Square get wet, from around 110 cm it becomes noticeable (MOSE threshold, raised walkways, possible vaporetto diversions). For visitors, the official reference station Punta della Salute is what counts.

Water-level forecast Punta della Salute — next 3 days

The official Centro Maree forecast is recalculated about 3 times a day. Each row shows an expected high or low with its classification and a travel note. Values above 80 cm = San Marco gets wet in places, above 110 cm = acqua alta watch, above 140 cm = exceptional event.

Quick overview — the key facts

Question	Answer
Main season	October–March, peak November/December
Particularly affected	St Mark’s Square and low-lying parts of San Marco
Critical for travellers	Usually from 100–110 cm
Official reference gauge	Punta della Salute (ZMPS)
Protection system	MOSE, active since October 2020 — not a permanent answer to sea-level rise
Walkway service	Suspended from 1 May to 15 September
Hotel recommendation	Consider higher-lying areas (Dorsoduro, northern Cannaregio, northern Castello)

Understanding the levels: the four classes

The Centro Maree classifies four official levels. Each has concrete consequences for travellers:

Level at Punta Salute	Official classification	What it means for travellers
up to 80 cm	marea normale	No relevant restrictions, the city stays completely dry
80–110 cm	marea sostenuta	First low spots get wet, above all St Mark’s Square and Punta Salute. Walkways from ~100 cm (outside 1 May – 15 September)
110–140 cm	marea molto sostenuta	MOSE can be activated. Noticeable restrictions, walkways/detours matter, some vaporetto lines diverted
from 140 cm	alta marea eccezionale	Exceptional event. Most of San Marco under water, adjust your plans significantly

Siren warning: When high water is expected, sirens sound several hours in advance. The tone sequence indicates the predicted class but is explained differently depending on the system — so also check the official forecast, the “Hi!tide Venice” app or your hotel reception.

Historical peaks: all-time record 194 cm (4 November 1966), second highest 187 cm (12 November 2019) — both before MOSE activation.

When does acqua alta occur?

Aspect	Detail
Main season	October to March, focus on November/December
Very low risk	May to September — the city suspends the walkway service because it is practically never needed
Peak months	November and December (sirocco/low-pressure situations most frequent)
Time of day	Follows the tide curve: highs mostly 5–8 in the morning or 17–20 in the evening
Duration per event	Typically 2–4 hours around the tidal peak
Frequency ≥ 80 cm	Several times per season; values > 140 cm much rarer since MOSE activation in 2020

→ Acqua alta season statistics of the last 10 years

Three factors create acqua alta

1. Astronomical tide — the normal tidal range in the Adriatic, about ±70 cm
2. Sirocco or bora wind — southerly or north-easterly wind pushes water into the northern Adriatic
3. Low-pressure system — for every 1 hPa less, the sea level rises by about 1 cm (“inverse barometer effect”)

When all three coincide, the level can sit 100–150 cm above the mean. Most acqua alta events can be forecast several days ahead — extreme exceptions such as 1966 or 2019 arose from unusual weather constellations.

Measurement reference: all official values refer to Punta della Salute (ZMPS) at the entrance to the Grand Canal in the Dorsoduro sestiere.

Which places in Venice are most affected?

Sestiere / location	Susceptibility	Note
St Mark’s Square + low-lying parts of San Marco	Very high	Lowest point of the city — the basilica’s narthex gets wet from as little as 80 cm
San Polo (Rialto area)	Medium	From ~100 cm flooding starts at the Rialto market hall
Santa Croce	Mixed	Piazzale Roma and the station tend to sit higher
Dorsoduro (Accademia, Salute)	Low	Higher ground — a good hotel option in the acqua alta season
Northern Cannaregio	Low	Higher ground, except the station quarter
Northern Castello (Arsenale)	Low	Higher ground, quieter than San Marco
Southern Castello (Riva degli Schiavoni)	Higher	Lower-lying than northern Castello

Passerelle (raised wooden walkways): At levels from 100 cm the city lays out raised wooden walkways (~25 cm high) along the main routes — dry feet up to about 125 cm. Suspended from 1 May to 15 September. Above 125 cm even the walkways flood and are removed.

Vaporetto services: During stronger acqua alta, lines are diverted because piers are under water. Live updates via the AVM/ACTV app.

What to do during acqua alta? A practical guide

Before your trip

• Check your travel dates: October–March = elevated risk, May–September practically none
• Choose your hotel location: prefer Dorsoduro, northern Cannaregio, northern Castello. Check hotels around St Mark’s Square and Riva degli Schiavoni carefully
• Pack waterproof boots — cheaper at home and in the right size

On site

• Combine the live banner at the top of this page with the “Hi!tide Venice” app
• Cross-check sirens with an official source — do not interpret the tone sequences alone
• Wellington boots locally: simple models at tabacchi kiosks, sturdier ones in outdoor shops
• Use the walkways at levels from 100 cm (outside May–mid September)
• Adjust your day: with a forecast > 120 cm, visit St Mark’s Square after the peak

24-hour plan when acqua alta is announced

Time before the peak	What to do
20 hrs before	Check the forecast. If > 100 cm: get boots/overshoes ready
12 hrs before	Talk to your hotel reception (some lend overshoes). Adjust your plans
3–4 hrs before	Cross-check sirens + app. Check vaporetto route changes
During acqua alta	Boots on, use the walkways, carry valuables high
After 2–4 hrs	The water usually recedes. Low-lying spots stay wet/slippery longer

What not to do

• Do not walk through shallow water without waterproof shoes — lagoon water often contains sewage
• No plastic covers over normal shoes — they are extremely slippery on wet marble
• Carry valuables high, do not put bags on the ground
• Do not prop a tripod on the tide-gauge columns — they are historic markers

Hotels during acqua alta: which location makes sense?

The most important decision when travelling in the acqua alta season is the right sestiere. Higher-lying districts remain easier to get around even during stronger acqua alta.

Suitability	Sestiere	What to look for
Well suited	Dorsoduro, northern Cannaregio, northern Castello (Arsenale)	Higher-lying addresses, vaporetto access within a short walk
Partly suitable	San Polo, Santa Croce	Rialto market hall wet from 100 cm; Piazzale Roma dry, the rest mixed
Check carefully	San Marco (around St Mark’s Square and Riva degli Schiavoni)	Avoid low-lying locations — but not every hotel in San Marco is unsuitable. Higher-lying buildings can still work well

Families, seniors, travellers with limited mobility: Even without acqua alta, bridge steps are often unavoidable. Hotels with a step-free entrance (no bridge between the vaporetto stop and the door) reduce the risk further.

Acqua alta footwear: what actually works

Footwear type	Up to which level	Note
Classic wellington boots	up to approx. 130 cm (boots ~35 cm high)	Best choice, non-slip sole
Boot overshoes (PVC)	moderate acqua alta 80–100 cm	Small in your luggage, but slippery on marble
Waterproof sock boots	up to approx. 25 cm	Sealskinz & co. — the premium option, look like normal shoes

→ Acqua alta footwear and clothing — product recommendations

MOSE: how the barrier protects the lagoon

MOSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) has been Venice’s protection system against acqua alta since October 2020. At the three lagoon inlets (Lido, Malamocco, Chioggia), a total of 78 mobile gates are anchored to the seabed. When levels above approx. 110 cm are forecast, the gates can be raised with compressed air and seal the lagoon off from the Adriatic.

Aspect	Detail
Activation threshold	approx. 110 cm forecast at Punta Salute
Raising time	~30 minutes
Lowering time	~15 minutes
Record since 2020	Around 154 prevented floods (as of 2026)
Limits	No complete protection: shorter events below 110 cm run without MOSE. Not a permanent answer to sea-level rise

→ The MOSE barrier in detail: technology, history, criticism

FAQ about acqua alta in Venice

When is acqua alta most likely in Venice?

November and December are the peak months — that is when sirocco wind and low pressure coincide most often. If you want to avoid acqua alta altogether, travel between May and September.

From which level does acqua alta become a problem for tourists?

Usually from 100–110 cm. At 80–100 cm only the lowest spots (the basilica’s narthex, individual calli) are wet. At 110 cm MOSE can be activated. At 140 cm plans need significant adjustment.

Is St Mark’s Square always affected first?

Yes — St Mark’s Square is the lowest point of the city. From as little as ~80 cm the basilica’s narthex is under water. Higher-lying sestieri such as Dorsoduro or northern Cannaregio stay dry longer.

Can I still take the vaporetto during acqua alta?

During moderate acqua alta, normal service with some lines diverted. During stronger events, piers flood and lines are suspended. Live updates via the AVM/ACTV app.

Does MOSE protect Venice completely?

No. MOSE is activated from forecast levels of ~110 cm — shorter or unforecast events below that run without MOSE. And MOSE is not a permanent answer to rising sea levels.

Which districts are better for hotels during acqua alta?

Well suited: Dorsoduro, northern Cannaregio, northern Castello. Partly suitable: San Polo, Santa Croce. Check carefully: low-lying locations around St Mark’s Square and Riva degli Schiavoni. Not every hotel in San Marco is unsuitable — the specific address counts.

Do I need wellington boots for Venice?

Sensible for trips between October and March — especially when staying near San Marco. In summer (May–September) usually not needed.

Where do I find the current forecast?

The live banner at the top of this page shows the official ICPSM forecast. Alternatively: the “Hi!tide Venice” app or the Centro Maree Telegram channel for push notifications.

Do I have to cancel my Venice trip if acqua alta is forecast?

No. Acqua alta usually lasts only 2–4 hours and affects only low-lying areas. With waterproof shoes, the raised walkways (outside May–mid September) and a well-located hotel, the trip remains very doable. Only very severe events restrict the day — and such levels have been rare since MOSE.

What do the siren tones mean?

Sirens warn several hours in advance. The tone sequence indicates the level class but is explained differently depending on the system — so also check the app or your hotel reception.

Related topics

• Live webcams Venice — check St Mark’s Square and the lagoon live
• Venice sights — what stays accessible during acqua alta
• Getting to Venice — vaporetto routes during high water
• Acqua alta footwear and clothing
• The MOSE barrier — technology, history, criticism