After my experience, I can confidently confirm the negative reviews regarding David and this tour - they are not only accurate, but very well-deserved.
The entire experience was a disaster from the get-go. David, the so-called “captain”, is not only unprofessional, but worse, deceptive and cruel - a true bully.
During my stay in Venice, I took numerous water taxis and a wonderful gondola ride to travel across the city. Each was secure and safe.
When boarding David’s rickety, slippery, wobbly boat, with only his meager limp hand to grasp onto, I slipped and fell. Instead of asking if I was alright, he looked irritated and annoyed, rather than concerned; not even helping me up!
Even worse was the boat ride to the first island. David drives carelessly and recklessly. All of the passengers were holding on for dear life as he raced through the lagoon, the water splashing and crashing into and out of this tiny, old, dingy boat.
When we arrived at the first island, the dock was so far from the boat exit, that it left a huge gap over the lagoon, requiring passengers to stretch and leap, and, I presume, hope for the best. During this disembarkation, I slipped and fell once more. Again, instead of asking about my well being, David grabbed my arm in a huff, and said something to the effect of “you’re not going on this tour, I’m bringing you back”. Physically and verbally abusive.
I was dumbfounded, but by that point, I couldn’t wait to be rid of this lunatic. However, I still had to ride back with him. He was so angry and nasty, I was fearful and concerned for my safety - as I now found myself alone with this idiot in a shabby boat in the middle of a foreign country’s lagoon. I think I would have been better off swimming!
I couldn’t have gotten back to the pier fast enough! Now, David started ranting and raving about how I wouldn't be able to get off the boat if I kept falling and was unsteady and imbalanced. Again, I took many boat rides on my trip, and never had issue. He accused me of having mobility issues - I do not.
Instead of disembarking at the original dock, he dropped me off at the water bus station, which was an even bigger climb and jump from the boat to the dock. I fell again on the slippery surface of this crappy boat. When I fell this time, David starts screaming at me, getting in my face aggressively and harassing me. This death trap of a boat is unsafe for tours and should not be in use. But worse, the person responsible, has no business being in the people business - is he even licensed and insured for public conveyance?!!
While David is screaming at me, he holds his shoulder and now accuses me of breaking the bone. I apologized to him if I had bumped into him on my fall down, (obviously, accidentally).
Throughout this mess, I fell three times, and David never once asked how I was doing. But now, he's wailing like a child over a possible shoulder bump - one that I didn’t even see occur!
Eventually, a kind and friendly man who was waiting for the water bus helped me up and out, while David continued cursing and screaming at me.
As if that weren't enough, David maintained his accusations and harassment, now digitally, through text messages sent to me on the Viator platform in the days that followed. He persisted in saying that I injured his shoulder, causing him to need immediate medical attention, and that I also broke his boat. Funny thing is, he continued offering tours throughout this time. If one’s shoulder is fractured or broken, they couldn't and shouldn’t operate a boat. And if a boat is damaged, and not in working condition, it shouldn’t be transporting tourists until fixed completely. This disgusting individual is an habitual liar and con artist.
Please, for your own safety and enjoyment, do not book this tour or any other with this provider. He’s irresponsible, negligent, psychotic, dangerous, and mean.