North Holland

Rent a boat in North-Holland

Noord-Holland stretches from Amsterdam to the sandy beaches of Texel Island in the Wadden Sea. And while urban Amsterdam and Haarlem are highlights of the province, much of it is rural, with long uninterrupted stretches of countryside stretching across the horizon and only occasionally punctuated by a tall windmill, a gabled roof or a herd of cattle. Base yourself in Haarlem, the capital of Noord-Holland, or Amsterdam, the Netherlands' capital, to hire a motorboat or a cabin cruiser to explore their iconic urban sights from the canals. Or begin your boating adventure in Edam and take to the vast Markermeer on a hired sailing yacht to explore the lakes, the Wadden Sea and the tranquil coastlines of Noord-Holland.

Hiring A Boat In Noord-Holland

The large area of Noord-Holland is home to several boat hubs: most notably Haarlem and Amsterdam. In these cities, small motorboats and self-driven sloops are best for the networks of canals that trickle along the old streets of the urban areas. But sailors with a good amount of sailing experience may want to try their skills against the Ijmeer and the flat islands of the Waddenzee.

Mooring options are plentiful, and where you'll moor is generally dictated by necessity. In the cities, it's possible to moor beneath iconic windmills close to must-see attractions and in green parklands next to luxurious villas or in a private berth at a holiday villa. But in the countryside, and particularly for larger boats and yachts, you may need to find a berth for the night a few days before your arrival to ensure availability.

Rent a Boat In Noord-Holland

The large area of Noord-Holland is home to several boat hubs: most notably Haarlem and Amsterdam. In these cities, small motorboats and self-driven sloops are best for the networks of canals that trickle along the old streets of the urban areas. But sailors with a good amount of sailing experience may want to try their skills against the Ijmeer and the flat islands of the Waddenzee.

Mooring options are plentiful, and where you'll moor is generally dictated by necessity. In the cities, it's possible to moor beneath iconic windmills close to must-see attractions and in green parklands next to luxurious villas or in a private berth at a holiday villa. But in the countryside, and particularly for larger boats and yachts, you may need to find a berth for the night a few days before your arrival to ensure availability.

Explore Noord-Holland By Renting A Boat

While parts of Amsterdam lie within Noord-Holland, the province's urban highlight (and capital) is Haarlem. Culturally rich Haarlem overflows with sights: boat-friendly canals, Golden Age buildings, delightful residential squares called *hofjes*, a charming windmill in the centre of the city, and unbeatable access to the beach in the Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland. Boaters in Amsterdam should explore leafy Het Gooi and the castle town of Muiden and the fortified village of Naarden. Cheese lovers should taste the sights at Alkmaar's summer cheese market, and gather provisions for a picnic in the Noordhollands Duinreservaat (Dune Reserve) and the Schoorlse Duinen Nationaal Park.

The most accessible of Noord-Holland's Wadden Sea islands is Texel (reachable by ferry from Den Helder): a haven for wildlife, cycling and walking trails that lead through lush woodlands, waterfront villages, dunes, and the stunning scenery of De Slufter nature reserve. Rent a yacht to sail here but take a skipper if you don't have enough experience, as the waters can be treacherous. Sail along the eastern shoreline of the Noord-Holland peninsula to the IJsselmeer lake and south towards the North Sea Canal and Amsterdam for days of view-filled sailing.

The Netherlands fills with orange-tinted events on King's Day in April, with the canals of cities like Amsterdam becoming particularly busy. But Noord-Holland has a vast itinerary of events to explore throughout the year, with shopping events in Haarlem and a week-long festival of water (Week van ons Water) in Den Helder.

Best areas to hire a boat in Noord-Holland

You'll find rental boats across Noord-Holland, from the central canals of Amsterdam and Haarlem to the countryside of Het Gooi and the charming Medemblik that's stitched to the shores of the IJsselmeer.

Haarlem

Haarlem's centrally-located De Nieuwe Gracht canal is a popular spot for boat hire, giving good access to the city's sights and hotels. It's also a good starting point for exploring the west coast of Noord-Holland via the North Sea Canal.

Medemblik

Historic Medemblik straddles the banks of the IJsselmeer with excellent access to the northern reaches of Noord-Holland and western Frisia. From Medemblik, it's possible to sail to Texel with a rented sailing yacht where 30km of sandy beaches are yours for exploring. Alternatively, cross the IJsselmeer to the long scenic waterways of Friesland to see Leeuwarden, Sneek and the lakes. Medemblik makes a good base for watersports lovers with fishing and kite surfing on the IJsselmeer. And slow boaters should use the town as a base to explore the quiet villages of Andijk and Kreileroord and the inland waterways of Noord-Holland.

Amsterdam and Het Gooi

Amsterdam's iconic canal lined centre is an ideal spot for a boat hire in Noord-Holland, but journey south to Het Gooi for enviable access to the countryside. Explore the tree-lined Hilversun Canal with a motorboat and visit Naarden and its unique star-shaped moats that form the exterior of one of Europe's best-preserved walled cities.

Types Of Boats To Hire

An eclectic collection of boats are available to hire in Noord-Holland, with small motorboats, sloops and cabin cruisers perfect for couples and families, and yachts and large tenders ideal for larger groups.

Motorboats

Whether sailing along scenic windmill-lined canals, exploring bird-filled wilderness habitats on the lakes or combining boating and sightseeing through the city, motorboats are ubiquitous across Noord-Holland and make an ideal rental option for first-time boaters and seasoned veterans alike.

Cabin Cruiser

Cabin cruisers are perfect for exploring the various waterways of Noord-Holland, with more than enough space inside for extended stays: with bedrooms, kitchens and WC facilities, alongside space for sunbathing and water equipment on larger models. Travel along the Ijmeer to explore the eastern coast of Noord-Holland to see Edam and the Gouwzee, or head further west to explore Graft and the Alkmaardermeer.

Tenders

Tenders are generally converted from a service boat such as a lifeboat or delivery boat and are available for rental across Noord-Holland. In Haarlem, pick a tender with an onboard bar and skipper to see the sights under the knowledgeable lead of a Noord-Holland local or sail it yourself and explore the canals and rivers that criss-cross the province.

Yachts

Yachts are best for sailing along the lakes and the seas rather than the cities, but a popular route for yachts cuts through Noord-Holland and Haarlem along the Spaarne River, so yacht rentals are a common sight throughout the region. If you're not an experienced sailor then opt for a skippered yacht.

Do you need a licence to hire a boat in Noord-Holland

If you're hiring a small pleasure boat like a cabin cruiser or an electric motorboat, then you won't need a boating license in Noord-Holland. However, if your boat is longer than 15m or can exceed 20 kilometres an hour, or if you intend to sail on a specific body of water such as the Wadden Sea, then you'll likely need a license.

Bear in mind that most canals and inner-city routes have strict speed limits so it's rare that you'd need a boat that requires a license. But for larger and faster vessels a watercraft licence, like a Klein Vaarbewijs or an ICC for anyone from the UK, the EU, etc., is necessary.

Best Times To Hire

Noord-Holland, like much of the Netherlands, enjoys mild summers and moderately cold winters and so the best time to hire a boat largely depends on where you'll be sailing. But as a general guide, if you'd like to see the iconic tulips in bloom, mid-March to mid-May is best, while if you're there purely to enjoy the water, anytime between spring and early autumn should suffice, with July and August providing the most amount of sun. But be prepared for bouts of rain no matter when you go.

How much does it cost to hire a boat

Canoes and kayaks are available for as little as €7 an hour in Noord-Holland, while SUPS are available for €12 an hour. And while some motorboats have a minimum rental period of 2-4 hours, prices generally decrease over time, making it more economical to rent for lengthier periods, with hire prices starting from €60 for four hours.

Yachts tend to be the most expensive rental boat, but there are economical options with some large skippered yachts starting at €750 a day, with enough space for 12 people spread across five berths. Large groups looking for a convenient day option should opt for a tender, with options available for less than €100 for half-day hires in Haarlem, and from €100 an hour for tenders with enough space for 12 passengers in central Amsterdam.