Boating holidays in The Netherlands

Boating is a way of life in Holland, so come on board and discover the best way to see this beautiful country! Make friends with the friendly Dutch nation on the waterways, admire the traditional windmills that border your cruising routes, head off on the waterside cycle routes or moor up in smart new marinas where modern facilities are plentiful and good.
Great for...
•City break in Amsterdam
•Fishing, cycling & watersports
•Festivals & events
•Relaxed pavement café atmosphere

Cruising advice


Navigating in Holland is easy and suitable for beginners.

Locks and Lift Bridges


Lock keepers operate all locks and lifting bridges. Keep small change handy because there is a charge. Lock/bridge fee between € 2 and € 7. Depends on area and different per bridge/lock.
•Opening hours: Locks are closed for lunch between 12:00-13:00 (1:00 p.m.) and for tea between 16:15-17:15 (4:15-5:15 p.m.)

•Public holidays: Locks are closed on some public holidays.



In Hindeloopen area locks/bridges are open:
•1st April to 31st October: Daily
•Before 1st April: Closed on Sunday

In Vinkeveen area locks/bridges are open:
•15th April to 15th October: Daily
•1st - 15th April & 15th - 31st October: Closed on Sunday



Lock Closure dates:

Please be aware about the lock closure dates by local authorities. During that day(s), you won’t be able to go through the locks. For more details and questions, please contact our sales team.
•Hindeloopen area: Bridges/locks operate from 25th March to 31st October. Before 1st April, boating is possible in Friesland but locks/bridges are closed on Sundays.
•Vinkeveen area: Bridges/locks between Vinkeveen and Amsterdam operate from the 1st April. Closed on Sundays 1st - 15th April and 15th - 31st October.




Navigation Restrictions


From October until the end of the season & from 1st to 15th April, there are some navigations on locks/bridges in Vinkeveen/Amsterdam area: All locks/bridges closed on Sundays & on other days of the week, locks/bridges operate only upon request (reservation to be done 24 hours before the passage)

The team will assist in making reservation for locks/bridges opening once the client has made his or her vacation plan. Please advise customers they will have to strictly respect the time schedule as the lockkeepers don’t wait for them if they are late.

As a consequence:
•All short breaks ending on Sunday should be back in Vinkeveen marina on Saturday evening – no late check out on Sundays.
•Short break Friday – Monday: due to Sunday closure, late check out is manditory.


Moorings


You may moor alongside in the canals in ports. You’ll find marinas with shore power and other services. Small charges may apply. To visit Amsterdam coming from the East (Woudsend), moor at Weesp and take a train to the city center.

To visit Amsterdam coming from the South (Vinkeveen), best mooring option is ‘’Six Haven’’. There is a ferry (free of charge, 24/7 service) who will take you to the central station. From here you can walk in about 10 minutes to the center of Amsterdam. The mooring costsin Six Haven depends on the size of the boat (from 10 to 30€/night).Boating is a way of life in Holland, so come on board and discover the best way to see this beautiful country! Make friends with the friendly Dutch nation on the waterways, admire the traditional windmills that border your cruising routes, head off on the waterside cycle routes or moor up in smart new marinas where modern facilities are plentiful and good.
Great for...
•City break in Amsterdam
•Fishing, cycling & watersports
•Festivals & events
•Relaxed pavement café atmosphere

Cruising advice


Navigating in Holland is easy and suitable for beginners.

Locks and Lift Bridges


Lock keepers operate all locks and lifting bridges. Keep small change handy because there is a charge. Lock/bridge fee between € 2 and € 7. Depends on area and different per bridge/lock.
•Opening hours: Locks are closed for lunch between 12:00-13:00 (1:00 p.m.) and for tea between 16:15-17:15 (4:15-5:15 p.m.)

•Public holidays: Locks are closed on some public holidays.



In Hindeloopen area locks/bridges are open:
•1st April to 31st October: Daily
•Before 1st April: Closed on Sunday

In Vinkeveen area locks/bridges are open:
•15th April to 15th October: Daily
•1st - 15th April & 15th - 31st October: Closed on Sunday



Lock Closure dates:

Please be aware about the lock closure dates by local authorities. During that day(s), you won’t be able to go through the locks. For more details and questions, please contact our sales team.
•Hindeloopen area: Bridges/locks operate from 25th March to 31st October. Before 1st April, boating is possible in Friesland but locks/bridges are closed on Sundays.
•Vinkeveen area: Bridges/locks between Vinkeveen and Amsterdam operate from the 1st April. Closed on Sundays 1st - 15th April and 15th - 31st October.




Navigation Restrictions


From October until the end of the season & from 1st to 15th April, there are some navigations on locks/bridges in Vinkeveen/Amsterdam area: All locks/bridges closed on Sundays & on other days of the week, locks/bridges operate only upon request (reservation to be done 24 hours before the passage)

The team will assist in making reservation for locks/bridges opening once the client has made his or her vacation plan. Please advise customers they will have to strictly respect the time schedule as the lockkeepers don’t wait for them if they are late.

As a consequence:
•All short breaks ending on Sunday should be back in Vinkeveen marina on Saturday evening – no late check out on Sundays.
•Short break Friday – Monday: due to Sunday closure, late check out is manditory.


Moorings


You may moor alongside in the canals in ports. You’ll find marinas with shore power and other services. Small charges may apply. To visit Amsterdam coming from the East (Woudsend), moor at Weesp and take a train to the city center.

To visit Amsterdam coming from the South (Vinkeveen), best mooring option is ‘’Six Haven’’. There is a ferry (free of charge, 24/7 service) who will take you to the central station. From here you can walk in about 10 minutes to the center of Amsterdam. The mooring costsin Six Haven depends on the size of the boat (from 10 to 30€/night).

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