This quaint Frisian village straddles the coast of the stunning IJsselmeer, and offers boating by canal, lake or sea, with quick access to the vast Wadden Sea by yacht. Tranquil beaches along the lake are popular with wind and kite surfers, while canal-bound boaters can hire a motor yacht or a cabin cruiser in charming Makkum and explore the region via the leafy Panhuys Canal, sailing towards Sneek, Woudsend, and Waterpoort.
Boaters are tremendously well-served in Makkum, with yachts, cabin cruisers, catamarans, kayaks and everything in between available, particularly if you widen your search to the neighbouring towns and villages.
Mooring options are available in most small villages and towns, with wild mooring available throughout the lakes, including the delightful MarBoei anchorages: free moorings in some of Friesland's most serene and inspirational locations (look for blue and yellow buoys).
Makkum's compact core has limited cultural attractions aside from a small collection of monuments in the centre including the Waaggebouw: an early Renaissance weighing house for cheeses and meats, and the Westenwind, a sculpture made by Hague artist Karianne Krabbendam depicting two women, half human, half siren gazing out to the deep sea.
Makkum is an ideal starting point for a trip across the canals, lakes and seas of Friesland. From here, you can sail to Harlingen on the Wadden Coast to visit the Het Hannemahuis museum and its collections of local arts, maritime equipment and vintage photography. Wander into the harbour to see the delightful spire of St. Michaelskerk reflected in the water, and sit down for a jug of Frisian Beer before weighing anchor. If you prefer to stay within the Ijsselmeer, try delightful Hindeloopen or sail to Stavoren to see its colourful waterside architecture, and finish with a drink at one of the cobbled terraces with a water view. Leeuwarden offers a little bit more, in terms of cultural pursuits at least, with many historic sights looming over the atmospheric centuries-old canals and plenty of spots for refuelling.
Sail to the idyllic West Frisian Islands to see Terschelling's beautiful wide beaches, ideal for sunbathing and wildlife spotting. In June, the Oerol Festival focuses on theatre and musical performances, while back in Makkum the Leugenbollepop festival injects a colourful dose of pop culture into the banks of the Ijsselmeer.
The IJsselmeer's various ports of call all make for excellent sailing bases, but Makkum, with its direct access to the lake from the yacht, is arguably one of the best, particularly if you intend on sailing north into the Wadden. Workum, one of the *11 Cities of Friesland* has a good choice of cabin cruisers for exploring the inland waterways that lead across the eastern Netherlands.
Makkum's marinas are conveniently placed on the IJsselmeer, offering excellent access to watersports and sailing, or for confident sailors, the coastline of the Wadden Sea. But equally, towns like Sneek and Grou can be reached by a series of picturesque canals that bloom into huge lakes like the Fluessen and the Slotermeer.
Southeast of Makkum, Workum offers a verdant alternative for boat hire with access to the lake via the Soal Canal. But from here it makes more sense to take the inland waterways along the 11 cities tour to see all of the major cities of Friesland.
A little further inland and further south on the Ijsselmeer, Koudum offers convenient access to the Fluessen in the east, and pretty Stavoren in the west.
For the leafy Frisian canals, a charming narrowboat or a fully-equipped cabin cruiser is the best option, while sleek sailing yachts and stylish catamarans are best for the various lakes and the turbulent waters of the Wadden.
Trusty cabin cruisers combine all the necessary elements for a peaceful sailing trip to Makkum. They're easy to sail for beginners, come with various-sized living spaces fit for most small groups, and can be budget-friendly or full of price hiking amenities for a luxury Frisian boating experience.
Bareboat and fully manned sailing yachts are available to hire from the busy marinas in Makkum, while motor yachts make an ideal choice for exploring the diverse waterways of Friesland. A number of catamarans are available from Makkum and, with cabin space for up to 10 people, are ideal for larger groups.
Charming canal boats are a common sight across the waterways of the Netherlands, with delightful vintage options, ideal for winsome days in the countryside, generally available from larger cities such as Leeuwarden.
You are not required to show a licence to hire a boat in Makkum as long as the model you pick is shorter than 15 meters and cannot reach a speed higher than 20 kilometres per hour.
If you decide on a larger boat, you'll need an International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft, filled out with your relevant qualifications (such as CEVNI for inland waterways).
Makkum summers tend to be gentle, with temperatures hovering just above 20 degrees but brief bouts of rain bring with them a necessity for a covered cabin cruiser or yacht. The spring and autumn tend to arrive with fewer tourists, making the shoulder seasons an ideal choice for a more peaceful sailing holiday on the Frisian lakes.
While renting a yacht can be expensive, it's generally more economical to rent in increments of three days or more. Rental options in Makkum begin at just a little over €100 per day, with larger catamarans with enough cabin space for 10 people available from as little as €1400 for three days. Compact tenders for small groups start at €15 an hour while cabin cruisers and motor yachts span from as little as €250 for three days to as much as €1100 for three days.
