An ideal entry point for countryside exploration, Drachten in Smallingerland, Friesland (close to the borders of Groningen), sits on the idyllic Wijde Ee waterway. And, with a junction of highways extending between Groningen and Sneek, Drachten is easy to reach by road. Hire a cabin cruiser or a delightful camper boat in Drachten and follow the Vaarweg Drachten to the Princess Margriet Canal and onto the national waterway network to explore the rest of Friesland: from Lemmer on the coast of the vast IJsselmeer (and all the way to Amsterdam if you have the time) to Dokkum in the north, and onward to the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea and the Frisian Islands.
Most of the boats available in Drachten are pleasure crafts, therefore little (or sometimes no) experience is needed to hire one. Cabin cruisers, camping sloops and converted tenders are available across Drachten and skippered tours of the nature reserves are an enjoyable way to learn more about the area.
Cabin cruisers are best for long trips in the tight network of canals that branch through the countryside, while a camping sloop is a uniquely pleasurable way to explore the tranquil surrounds of the Alde Feanen National Park. Mooring options are available close to the centre of Drachten in de Wilgen and across the islands, lakes and marinas of Friesland.
While Drachten is one of the area's largest towns, you'll find that the centre isn't exactly a bustling metropolis. But there is a good selection of restaurants, cafes and bars in de Kaden, and a pretty 18th-century church, the attractive Thalenpark and the Bleekershûs Museum for cultural pursuits. If you're craving a bigger city than Groningen, the capital of the Groningen province is less than an hour away and offers canals flanked by tall gabled houses, similar to what you might expect to see in Holland. And Leeuwarden: the capital of Friesland is explorable in one day, and has multiple moorings to utilise en route to your next destination. Close to Drachten, the Alde Feanen National Park offers wildlife, cycling on forest trails and a haven for wildlife lovers, with hundreds of bird species and swamps, reed beds, and brushwood full of insects, plants, and birds.
From Drachten, sail west along the Smeliester Sân and into the Alde Feanen National Park before heading towards the stunning Burgumer Mar lake via the Wijde Ee Lake. From there you can follow the canal route to Groningen and then back over the Frisian border to Dokkum via the Lauwersmeer. For a shorter loop route out of Drachten sail to the idyllic village of Opeinde, through the central canal of Burgum, past leafy Eernewoude and finally to De Veenhoop to see the Petgatten de Feanhoop nature reserve, before completing the loop in Drachten.
King's Day celebrations in Drachten are marked with day markets and evening parties coloured by orange-wearing locals, but both Groningen and Leeuwarden are busier with more events and more opportunities for fun on the water. From May through September, a skippered tour of the Alde Feanen National Park by barge is available every Monday evening, complete with near-silent cruises through the nature reserve enhanced by tall tales told by the local skipper.
Drachten is bequeathed with numerous marinas and very good access to the canals that lead to most of Friesland's major towns, while Earnewâld is perhaps the best option for nature lovers, with unobstructed access to the lush, undisturbed nature of the Alde Feanen National Park.
The centre of Drachten has little in the way of canals so there are no marinas in town, but just a short way from the centre in de Wilgen, the Marina De Drait offers berths for overnight stays and is the starting point for most of the boat rentals in Drachten.
West of Drachten and perched inside the lowland marshlands of the Alde Feanen national park, Earnewâld is a cheerful watersports village, ideally located for fishing, cycling and wildlife watching (the park is a nesting site for hundreds of bird species).
Drachten is known for its boat builders, as such you'll find a good mix of boats, many locally made, including Camping Sloops, cabin cruisers and House Boats.
These wonderful little sloops offer the best of two worlds: boating and camping. They are equipped with kitchens (with gas burner, sink, refrigerator) and WCs, and are small enough to make navigating the narrow waterways of Friesland a breeze. But the real draw is that the canopy acts as a kind of tent and can be pulled down in the evenings (once you've seen your fill of stars) over the seating area, which converts into a double bed, with more than enough space for two campers.
If you're planning on a long weekend exploring the lakes or a couple of weeks across the Netherlands, or even just a night or two in Drachten, then cabin cruisers, with their onboard amenities and ease of handling, are ideal boats for exploration. They come in a variety of sizes and can accommodate anywhere from two to twelve people in separate berths.
These wooden houseboats, shaped like a caravan on top of a catamaran, are available to hire in Drachten. Unlike traditional boats, these houseboats come with warm running water, log burners and solar panels. There's also heating for the colder months, a platform for swimming and fishing and enough space for six people.
For most people boating in Drachten, you won't need a license. However, if your boat exceeds 15m in length or can speed beyond 20 kilometres an hour, then you might need one. In most cases, a Klein Vaarbewijs or an ICC (International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft) for British, EU and other international visitors is enough.
The delightfully mild spring and summer months (rarely do temperatures exceed the early twenties) are perfect for exploring Drachten and the Friesland countryside.
Boat hire is available in Drachten year-round, and covered cabin cruisers and sloops are good should it rain. Avoid the winter, as the canals and the wetlands of Alde Feanen often freeze over.
Camping sloops begin at approx. €210 a day, and decrease in price the longer your rental lasts. Uncovered tenders can be rented by the hour but generally begin at €180 a day.
Cabin cruisers in Drachten tend to be rentable for periods of multiple days and cost, for long weekends around €364 for three days. Houseboat prices start at €429 but with enough room for six people, these can be some of the most economical options if you're travelling in a group.
