FAQ’s about renting a boat in Amsterdam

Our boats are self operated. So you are the skipper. You don’t need a boating license or any boating experience. Before departure we will give you a short personal instruction. After that it is very easy and great fun to drive the boat yourself.

Our boats have an insurance and a license for up to 6 (six) people. Please be aware that we are very strict on the maximum of people allowed on the boat. Please note that also (small) children count as a person.

You need to be at least 18 years old to rent and operate a boat.

Yes, our rental includes an insurance. You are covered as long as you stick to the basic rules that we explain before departure. The excess is euro € 250,-.

We will personally inform you about the most important rules before departure. A short glimpse? Stay on the right hand side of the canals and give way to others.

Our insurance requires you to bring two items for renting a boat: a valid ID (passport, driving license or ID card) and a credit card. We use this as a guarantee/deposit. If you do not have a credit card yourself, it is also fine if someone else in your group brings one.

On our general terms and conditions page.

For a rental today, please call +31 6 2714 9493. For any other day please us our online reservation system. Here you can check the available time slots 24/7 and book the one of your liking.

During weekends and holidays we are often fully booked well in advance, especially in the afternoons. In order to secure your boat we recommend to book as soon as you’ve made up your mind. Don’t worry about the weather. In case of a bad weather forecast (rain, storm or worse), you may reschedule your reservation for free up to 24 hours in advance.

If the time slot of your preference does not show up, it is not available. Either because it is fully booked, or because we are closed. Hopefully, there is an alternative time slot that suits you. If not, please try our colleagues of Boats4rent Amsterdam Boat Rental.

We always ask for payment in advance, like concert or airline tickets. Therefore, we only confirm online reservations that are paid for by iDEAL (Dutch internet banking), credit card or Paypal. If you show up without a reservation, we cannot guarantee availability.

Yes, via email. When paying with iDEAL this may take a few hours. If you cannot find a confirmation in your inbox, then please check your spam box or junk mail folder.

In case of a bad weather forecast (rain, storm or worse), you may reschedule your reservation for free up to 24 hours in advance. You may choose a new date immediately or you will receive a credit that is valid for one year. We do not refund. All other (not weather related) reasons for not using your reservation at are your own risk.

You can choose between a three hour, a four hour and a ten hour (full day) rental. Please check our pricing table for the corresponding rates.

Our rates apply for a rental period of three or four hours. And we certainly recommend to use that time. But of course it is no problem if you decide to make a shorter trip

That depends. Your booking is for a fixed time period. A next rental might start directly after yours. Or we might have to close directly after your rental period. If you make your request well in advance, we can let you know what’s possible.

We close half an hour before the sun goes down. So our closing time varies from 7 PM early spring and late autumn until 9.30 PM in June / July.

No. We are open from early March until the end of October. During winter it’s too cold to be out on an open boat for a couple of hours.

We have the best boat rental rates in Amsterdam. A three hour rental starts at euro 79, -. That is our morning rate, valid both weekdays and weekends. The afternoon and evening rates are slightly more expensive. And so is a four hour rental. See our pricing table. The local tour tax of 1,50 per person is added to your boat rental rate.

The only additional cost is the local tour tax of 1,50 per person. This will be added to your rental rate. Apart from that, everything you need is included: VAT, insurance, ‘fuel’ (electricity), foam seats, life jackets and a personal instruction by a friendly Boaty employee.

All our boats have the same size, for a maximum of six people. They come in two versions: completely open or partially covered. The open boats are the best choice for sunbathers. The view is a bit better and they are very easy to get in an out of. The partially covered boats provide some shade when it is sunny and some shelter if it is rainy. Both versions have an electric propulsion. The partially covered boats have canopy made of solar panels (a floating eco-friendly mini-power plant).

Our boats have the size of a small sloop, about 5.00 x 1.65 m. (16,5 x 5,5 ft). That’s large enough to sit up to six people, without having to squeeze.

The speed limit on the canals is 6 km/h. Our boats go a little slower, approximately 5 km/h (a bit over 3 mph). This is the equivalent of walking. So our boats are easy and safe to sail for everyone, even without a boating license or experience. In three or four hours you can definitely make a relaxed trip on a nice part of the city center canals and the Amstel river (see our suggested routes).

No, we don’t. The license we have is for self operated boats only. For a larger or luxury private boat with a skipper we recommend our colleagues of Sloepvrienden and E-Boats Amsterdam.

On the page about our boats.

Your date/partner/family/friends/colleagues. Something to eat and drink. And, weather depending: sun glasses and sun lotion or a warm jacket. We take care of the rest: a decent boat, life jackets, a laminated map of the canals, foam seats and full batteries.

Yes, dogs are welcome. And we are happy to arrange a bowl of water on board.

Yes, we do. Please let us know if you will bring any small kid(s). Then we will reserve the right size(s) for you.

We provide foam seats. They make up for a softer seating and also protect your bums from the heat or the cold (weather depending) of the metal boat. If you want real pillows or blankets, feel free to bring these yourself.

Yes, we do. It’s custom made for our guests. It’s large (A3) and laminated. And most important: it contains a lot of useful information (route suggestions, highlights, return times, et cetera).

No. In order to reduce noise and nuisance on the canals, the municipality of Amsterdam does not allow music on board of rental boats. It is allowed to bring your own ‘silent disco’ 😉

The person operating the boat participates in traffic, like driving a car. Therefore, he or she must remain sober. This does not apply to the passengers.

You may smoke on board. Please do not throw your butts in the battery boxes (danger of explosion) and also not in the water. Fish and ducks don’t smoke.

There are places where you can stop on your way. However, always keep an eye on your boat. The boat cannot be locked and we will hold you liable in case of theft during your rental.

The Boaty dock is located on the south side of the Amsterdam city center. This is within walking distance from the Heineken Experience (a 15 minute walk), Albert Cuyp Market (a 10 minute walk) and the Rijksmuseum (a 20 minute walk). Please check out our location page for more detailed information.

On the other side of the canal, on Amstelkade around house numbers 130-140, for € 4,50 per hour. The Flow Parking park house is 10-15 minutes by foot and offers full day parking for € 25,-.

You may take our boats almost anywhere on the Amsterdam canals and the Amstel river. For safety reasons the following areas are strictly forbidden: the IJ (port area, including Amsterdam Noord, NDSM, KNSM- & Java-islands and IJburg), the Kostverlorenvaart and the Nieuwe Herengracht.

We have three route suggestions: two city center routes and one into the Amstel country side. No need to memorize them: they are on the map that we provide.

We don’t, but we have partners for that. Please send us an e-mail to let us know your wishes.

Sure, good idea! There’s two Albert Heijn supermarkets nearby (Maasstraat and Cornelis Troostplein).

No, sorry! That is a very dangerous combination with the batteries on board.

Yes, we can! Sailing the Amsterdam canals is a brilliant group activity. Especially when you book our Canal Cruise Competition. We are also happy to advise on other activities or venues before of after your boat trip (bars, restaurants, meeting rooms, et cetera). Please send an e-mail to tell us how we may help you.

No, we’re sorry. We don’t welcome any bachelor parties.

Sometimes we do. Only by arrangement, for large groups and when our schedule allows. And we charge extra for that. Please send an e-mail to tell us what you’d like.

Yes, you can! Please check out our information about renting a boat Kingsday or for the Gay Pride.

Yes! For large groups we recommend doing our Canal Cruise Competition.

Yes, we have gift certificates of different amounts. Please send us an e-mail if you want to order one. Please include the name(s) of the person(s) it is intended for, the name(s) of the generous donor(s) and the amount you want to give.