Loosdrecht

Boat rental in Loosdrecht

The water sports area in the central Netherlands

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Rent a boat in Loosdrecht

Set sail in Loosdrecht


Loosdrecht is a haven for private boat rental with or without a skipper. In good weather, you can take a boat trip with friends beautiful canals and lakes winding through charming natural scenery and past classic windmills. Several boats even offer a hotel pickup for your cruise.


The large lakes are home to exclusive yacht clubs and busy restaurants tumbling towards the shores. Two small villages make up the urban area of Loosdrecht: Nieuw-Loosdrecht (new) and Oud-Loosdrecht (old), of which Oud-Loosdrecht is the most interesting. With opulent lakeside villas and direct access to the lakes and the lush banks of the River Vecht, Oud-Loosdrecht is perfect for all kinds of boat rentals: cabin cruisers for weekend trips and lounge boats for evening celebrations.

Hiring A Boat In Loosdrecht


You can hire an electric boat or sloop without a license in Loosdrecht lake areas, and there are various options, including canal boat tours with a skipper. And there are skippered boats with food and drink available for anyone who just wants to sit back and enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Dutch Lake District.


Depending on the type of boat you opt for, anchorage options are available across the region, making it easy enough to explore all of the major lakes and villages in your own time.

Explore Loosdrecht By Renting A Boat


Loosdrecht's five major lakes were created by peat harvesting in the 17th century. And while the lakes are often separated by dykes and islands (to preserve the natural habitat), they are all perfectly explorable without ever leaving your boat. Though the stunning Castle at Sypesteyn is as good a reason as any to disembark should you wish to explore Loosdrecht's cultural sights.


A peculiarity of Loosdrecht's lakes is the manmade Islands that were used to dry the harvested peat, and while many have since eroded, some are still visible in the Kievitsbuurten lake, itself lined with typical Dutch villas and a good entry point to join the River Vecht via the Weersluis boat lock. From here you can use your rental boat to explore this peaceful stretch of the river, which has some of the most striking Buitenplaats (country houses) in north Holland, including the breathtaking Buitenplaats Ruppelmonde and the charming 17th-century Buitenplaats Sterrenschans in the pretty hamlet of Nieuwersluis.


Taking a skippered tour of the lakes is arguably the most serene way to experience the water, but a small electric motorboat offers access to some places the tour boats can't go: such as the delightful little town of Maarssen, which if you have enough time makes a pleasant green gateway to Utrecht; or the maze of canals around leafy Boomhoek and well-heeled Hilversum that make excellent bases for exploring Loosdrecht.

Best Areas To Hire A Boat In Loosdrecht


Short trips to Loosdrecht are perfect for exploring the main lakes at Oud-Loosdrecht while the canals that connect to Maarssen can be used to explore more of the Dutch Lake District using Boomhoek or Hilversum as a base.


Oud-Loosdrecht


Conveniently placed for access to the Loosdrechtse Plassen, Oud-Loosdrecht is an ideal base for boat hire in Loosdrecht. While the five lakes are distinctive, they're generally referred to as one whole: ‘Loosdrechtse Plassen’, as they are connected by a series of canals and waterways. For further exploration, the Loosdrechtse Plassen links to the River Vecht via the Mijndense Sluis, making it perfect as a base for longer journeys.


Boomhoek


Boomhoek acts as a leafy starting point for entry to the lakes, with quays and holiday homes, stitched onto the banks, many with private moorings, perfect for multi-day boat hires.


Hilversum


Hilversum is one of the largest urban areas in the Gooi: an area to the east of Loosdrecht, known for large holiday villas, the affluence of its inhabitants and the relative (to most of the Netherlands) hilliness of the countryside. Explore the area with a boat and link to the lakes via the tree-lined Hilversun Canal, or visit the delightful little village of Naarden and its iconic star-shaped moats.


Maarssen


Just a short journey south along the Utrechtse Vecht river, Maarssen (between Maarseen and Utrecht) offers idyllic villages, imposing castles and numerous options for docking, whether for languid lakeside lunches or to see the sights of the countryside. Rent a boat in Maarssen and you can follow the river south until you reach Utrecht, or keep north and join the glistening expanse of the lakes via numerous connecting canals.

Types Of Boats To Hire


Almost all of the boats available for general hire in Loosdrecht are pleasure crafts aimed at holidaying couples, families and groups. But yachts and lounge boats are popular too and perfect for days spent exploring the serene waters of the Loosdrechtse Plassen.


Tenders


Loosdrecht has a plethora of repurposed tenders, including a couple of old lifeboats, available to hire across the lakes. Most have been updated to drive with whisper-quiet electric motors and have comfortable seating for groups, making them perfect for exploring the lakes in cosy silence.


Open Sail Boats


Single masted sailboats are available in several locations around Loosdrecht, with or without outboard engines. While usually only suitable for between two and five people, these make excellent options for beginners looking to test their new skills on Holland's lakes.


Lounge Boats


Lounge boats come in many shapes and sizes in Loosdrecht, with larger versions finished with comfortable seating and enough space for picnics, and professional offerings outfitted with luxuries such as bars and a full complement of staff.


Electric Cruisers


100% electric cruisers are a convenient green option for exploring Loosdrecht and generally, have enough room for up to 8 people. These modern, purpose-built boats often come with contemporary conveniences such as Bluetooth audio systems and convenient swimming platforms, making them perfect for exploring the lakes.

Do you need a licence to hire a boat in Loosdrecht


You mostly don't need a boating license for pleasure crafts in the Netherlands. But you'll need a boating license in Loosdrecht if you plan on renting a boat that is longer than 15m and can exceed a speed of 20 kilometres an hour, which is usually unnecessary as most inland waterways have a maximum speed of under 12 kilometres an hour. In some cases, you may need a navigation permit which is required for certain inland waterways like nature reserves and conservation areas.


For larger and faster vessels, and some specific bodies of water (the Wadden Sea, Oosterschelde and IJsselmeer), you’ll need a small, medium or large watercraft licence, while residents of the EU, the UK and other non-EU countries will require an ICC (International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft).

Best Times To Hire


June, July and August are the hottest months in Loosdrecht, though, in moderate Holland, the mercury rarely surpasses 24 degrees, and while these months are easily some of the most pleasant, they're also the busiest. September, on the other hand, while a little colder, is slightly drier than the high summer months, making it a good option for anyone seeking out warm drier weather and fewer crowds.


How much does it cost to hire a boat


Most Loosdrecht boat rentals are available with an hourly fee of anywhere from €13 to €40 for small sailboats, electric motor boats and sloops.


Large luxury boats tend to be the most expensive options and while some can easily cost as much as €200 an hour (and even more with food and drink), they can seat up to 40 people making them not only economical but perfect for larger parties and events on the lakes.

Regions in Loosdrecht

Boat rental in Loosdrecht