BOAT HIRE

Boating in the Alde Feanen

BOAT HIRE ALDE FEANEN

Boat hire at the Alde Feanen National Park

The most beautiful and peaceful way to discover the Alde Feanen in Friesland is from your boat. The Alde Feanen National Park is a vast expanse of marsh and lakes of almost 4,000 hectares, between Leeuwarden, Drachten and Heerenveen. You cruise past reed beds, peat pools and open water, and with a bit of luck you'll spot white-tailed eagles and kingfishers. Our boats are based around the park, for example in Earnewald, Grou and Leeuwarden. All boats are hired for a minimum of three days, so you really have time to sail, moor up and do nothing at all. You don't need a boating licence.

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No boating licence needed

You can hire all our boats without a boating licence

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Feel free to give us a call with any questions. Together we'll find the right boat.

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You hire directly from the owner or a local boat hire company.

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Boating in the Alde Feanen

The best way to discover the Alde Feanen is from the water. The park is a maze of lakes and channels in the heart of the Frisian lake district. Earnewald lies at the heart of the park, with Warten and Grou on its edge. These are the places to start your trip into the park:

Grou: Sail into the park via the Pikmeer.
Earnewald: Sail into the Princenhof, through the Saiterpetten to the Grutte Krite.
Warten: A small village on the north side, one of the gateways to the park.
Veenhoop: The southern entrance to the area.

Please note: respect the flora and fauna in this area, and don't sail into areas where this is not permitted. The water in the Alde Feanen is narrower and quieter. Allow a bit more time than the map suggests, because you'll be travelling slowly here.

Boating routes through the Alde Feanen

Don't feel like planning a route yourself? This route takes you through the nature reserve in a few days:

Circuit of the Alde Feanen from Grou (weekend, 2 to 3 days). From Grou, head into the nature reserve, moor at a nature mooring and return via Warten and Wergea. You can extend the route with a visit to Earnewald.

The circuit of the Alde Feanen past Warten, Wergea, Grou and Earnewald is about 35 kilometres.

For more routes, take a look at our boating routes page.

Mooring and overnight stays

There are several places in and around the park where you can stay overnight:

Nature moorings. The park has Marrekrite jetties where you can moor free of charge for up to three days. There are no electricity or water points here.
Jachthaven Earnewald. A visitors' marina in the middle of the village with electricity and water at every berth, plus washrooms. Terraces and shops are within walking distance. You pay mooring fees from 12:00.
Warten. A small village on the edge of the park with good moorings.
Grou. This boating village on the edge of the park has a number of visitors' marinas and plenty of lively bars and restaurants.

Mooring fees are charged per metre per night. For current rates, check the marina's website. Tourist tax may be added on top.

Which spot suits you best depends on the size of your boat and where you want to go. Not sure? Give us a call and we'll help you decide.

Practical info

Parking, shopping and bridges

Parking. You park your car at the boat owner's base when you set off. This is almost always free.

Shopping. It's easiest to do your shopping before you leave. Bear in mind that the fridge on board is often a bit smaller than the one at home.

Packing. We've written a blog about what's handy and smart to bring on holiday.

Bridges. On the routes through and around the park you'll come across movable bridges, including at Warten. These are operated at fixed times. Check the bridge times before you set off.

Bridge clearance. There are no fixed bridges with limited clearance in this area.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a boating licence to sail in the Alde Feanen?

You can sail all our boats without a boating licence. This is allowed for boats shorter than 15 metres that can't go faster than 20 kilometres per hour, and our boats meet both requirements. Many boats do require some boating experience, though. This is stated in the boat's description.

How long can I hire a boat for at the Alde Feanen?

All boats are hired for a minimum of three days. We only offer multi-day hire. Our booking system shows you straight away which boats are available on your dates. Most boats have Friday and Monday as their fixed check-in days.

Can I sail anywhere in the Alde Feanen?

The Alde Feanen is a protected nature reserve. Access is restricted in a number of places. Stick to the rules and the speed limit, and keep an eye out for the signs at bird sanctuary areas.

Where can I moor in the Alde Feanen?

The park has Marrekrite nature moorings where you can moor free of charge for up to three days. You can also use the marinas at Earnewald, Warten and Grou. Mooring fees are charged per metre per night.

Got more questions?

For more questions and detailed answers, take a look at our FAQ page

Ardi L.

"All in all a very positive experience. Everything was clear and well organised. We hired a beautiful boat at good value for money, highly recommended. Until next time!"

Mike

"Lovely spacious boat! Plenty of room, comfortable beds. - Quite a large, wide boat that calls for some experience and a calm approach. The stern- and bowthruster make boating a bit easier. We'll hire it again next year if it's free. We were lucky to be able to check in early. Contact was great."

Jako van Dijk

"What a joy to be able to go anywhere in a small boat and spend the night on the different lakes."

Fam Geerdink

"It was fantastic! Great service, an immediate reply from the owner and the yacht was perfect!"

Ready for a relaxing boating holiday in and around the Alde Feanen?

Book the boat that suits you today!

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