Limburg

One of the largest interconnected water sports areas in the Netherlands

The southernmost of the Netherlands's 12 provinces, Limburg is known for its dense tangle of rivers and lakes (the Maasplassen) that make sailing here a pleasure. The Meuse River spans the length of the region, supplying boaters with a scenic, view-studded entry into Maastricht, the region's capital and one of the Netherland's oldest cities. Hire a boat in Maastricht and a plethora of routes open up, including a picturesque sail across the Belgium-Netherlands border to Belgian Limburg. While bucolic Wessem provides a more laidback, rural starting point, with easy sailing to an idyllic collection of quaint villages and sail-filled quays along the Meuse coastline en route to Roermond.

Hiring A Boat In Limburg

You won't need any boating experience to hire a boat in Limburg, as most boats can be hired without a license, including easy-to-handle cabin cruisers, electric motor boats and comfortable tenders.

If you're hiring a boat for a day or more then you'll need to find suitable moorings and plan your trip in advance, particularly in the summer months, when moorings can become a scarce commodity in cities like Maastricht.

Explore Limburg By Renting A Boat

Maastricht, a vibrant city of convivial squares, medieval architecture, engrossing museums, and excellent festivals, makes an ideal base for exploring Limburg. Start with a tour of the city, ticking off the stunning Saint Servatius church and the Market Square before taking in some under-the-radar attractions such as the Boekhandel Dominicanen: a 13th-century church turned bookshop that sells books in various languages alongside coffee and lunch in the atmospheric former choir. This endearing and creative cafe culture spills out onto the terraces across the city, enlivened by Maastricht's vast student population, and the culinary artists of the city's best restaurants can be just as innovative as those in any major city.

Sailers with a taste for border crossings and Belgian cuisine should embark on a trip from Maastricht to Liège along the Maas River and the Albert Canal, where you'll be welcomed at the confluence of the two by a monument of Prince Albert inviting boaters into the city. If you're only stopping for a day, soak up the arts in La Boverie, an ornate museum in the Parc de la Boverie that's filled with works from Monet, Delvaux and van Gogh. Another option is to sail to Stevensweert, which together with Ohé and Laak, forms the 'Island on the Meuse', where a fortified old town with radial street patterns leads to countryside cycle paths and riverside sights with views across the Belgian border.

For summer watersports sail to the tranquil shores of Wessem, where boating, snorkelling and fishing are the main attractions, though the gothic architecture is also worth an afternoon of your time if you start to crave dry land. From Wessem, Thorn's stunning all-white-painted medieval centre is accessible via the Meuse and De Grote Hegge, a good spot for sunbathing on the lake's beaches.

Best Areas To Hire A Boat In Limburg

City lovers should use the delightful old town of Maastricht as a base for exploring Limburg, while those seeking out the languid lakes and charming waterside villages of the Meuse may be better suited to hiring a boat in one of the attractive marinas floating along the Maasplassen.

Maastricht

Maastricht's stunning old town is a must-see on a visit to Limburg, and there are various marinas conveniently placed for overnight moors with immersive views of the old town. The best of which is ‘t Bassin, a modern marina with a good selection of restaurants and bars lining the waterside.

Maasplassen

3000 hectares of lakes, each connected by the River Meuse make Maasplassen an ideal base for exploring the natural side of Limburg. Hire a boat in Zuid and sail the languorous route to Willemsvaart via Weert, Bree and Maasmechelen.

Roermond

Nestled into a cosy spot on the banks of the river Roer, this Roman-built city, with its scenic collection of canalside restaurants and bars is also a surprise shopping destination, home to one of the country's largest outlet stores (with everything from Gucci and Prada to Moncler and Ralph Lauren). To find it, simple moor at the canal side and head for the centre of town.

Wessem

Wessem's countryside location is ideal for access to the Grote Heggen, the Polderveld, and the oude maas. Motorboat and cabin cruisers are most common here, and it makes a good base from which to explore the various villages and towns dotted along the Belgian border.

Types Of Boats To Hire

Cabin cruisers and comfortable motor yachts are ideal options for boaters on an extended trip along the Meuse or the Maas for trips into Belgium, while Tenders and electric motor boats are better options for exploring the lakes at Maasplassen.

Tenders

Tenders are available throughout Limburg but are generally best hired in the countryside: in Wessem, or smaller towns such as Roermond. Boats with enough space for groups of between two and eight are available across the lakes at Maasplassen, and some can be hired with optional extras such as fishing equipment and snorkelling gear.

Cabin Cruiser

Multi-day trips exploring the Meuse or travelling cross-border to Belgium are more than possible with a cabin cruiser. On-board amenities (think: bedrooms, bathrooms, bathing space and kitchens) allow for more time spent on the water, while their ease of handling makes cabin cruisers a good choice for beginners.

Yachts

A large variety of yachts are available throughout Limburg but the most popular are Motor Yachts, best suited to long penetrative sailing trips along international rivers and hireable everywhere from Maastricht to Kinrooi just across the border in Belgium.

Do you need a licence to hire a boat in Limburg

Throughout the Netherlands, boating is accessible without a licence to all visitors over 18 years old, as long as your choice of boat has a maximum speed limit of under 20 kilometres an hour and is no longer than 15m. Most boats available to hire in Limburg, such as Sloops and the locally made Doerak (a kind of cabin cruiser) are designed to travel at low speed since the speed restrictions can be strict to preserve the canals.

For anything, else, from jet skis to 20-foot sailing yachts, you will need an International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC).

How much does it cost to hire a boat

Small open sailboats with enough space for snug groups of three start at €52 for three hours in Limburg, while large tenders and motorboats tend to be most economical in Wessem where prices start at €30 an hour for a minimum rental period of three hours.

The cost for a Motoryacht or a cabin cruiser tends to depend on a variety of factors from age to size, but can be hired from as little as €235 a day if booked for an entire week.