Unlike any other province

Boating in Friesland

More than 200 lakes, over 100 kilometres of canals and waterways, 11 historic towns, nature and peace on the water

4.8 on Google Reviews

What will you see as you sail through Friesland?

No two trips through Friesland are ever the same. Not even the second time. The province keeps changing: from wide and open to intimate and quiet, from a bustling waterside town to a deserted polder.

On an ordinary day on the water, you pass reed beds where herons stand perfectly still. You glide under low bridges, drift gently into a lock chamber and moor at a café terrace you happened to spot from the water. You see the back of Friesland: the gardens, the landing stages and the Frisian flags fluttering along the banks.

And then there are the lakes. The Sneekermeer with its open horizon. The Fluessen, wide and peaceful. The Tjeukemeer, the largest lake in the province, where you can spend a whole day without seeing the same spot twice. Boating through Friesland means being surprised again and again.

Boating in Friesland: is it for you?

The short answer: it's for everyone. Friesland has no big waves, no dangerous currents and no busy waterways where you feel pressured to go fast. Most waterways are calm, easy to read and manageable even for complete beginners. You don't need a boating licence for the boats we hire out.

Never stood at the helm before? You'll get proper boating instruction when you set off. Families with young children go boating in Friesland. Retirees who spend half the summer on the water go boating in Friesland. Groups of friends who want a week to unwind go boating in Friesland. And yes, so do people who never thought they'd become boating enthusiasts, but who can't let go after just one holiday.

The Elfstedenroute

takes you past all eleven Frisian towns — a route of around 200 kilometres that you can sail in a week if you like, but that can also be done in stages. Each of the eleven towns has its own character: lively Sneek, quiet Sloten, the port town of Harlingen on the Wadden Sea. Read more in our blog about the Elfstedenroute.

The lakes route

The lakes route goes from lake to lake. From the Sneekermeer via the Fluessen to the Tjeukemeer and back. More nature, less town. Ideal if you really want to slow down.

The towns route

The towns route takes in the prettiest Frisian towns: Sneek, IJlst, Sloten and Stavoren, with moorings in the countryside in between. A mix of culture and calm on a single route.

Ready to discover Friesland from the water?

Familieboten isn't a big anonymous platform where you pick a boat the way you book a hotel room. We're Taco and Wietske, water sports enthusiasts ourselves, who grew up in Friesland and fell in love with it. We know every boat owner in our network personally. That means every boat you book through us has been checked by us: well maintained, handed over clean, honestly described and ready to go. No surprises on arrival, no hassle along the way.

We only hire out boats for boating holidays of at least two nights. Not because it can't be done any other way, but because we believe you only really start boating once you have time to get to know the water. A day is an outing. Two nights is the start of something.

Want to know which boat suits you, which route we'd recommend for your group, or simply fancy a chat about the options? Give us a call. We'd be happy to think along with you.

Take a look at our current range of boats, get inspired by the most beautiful boating routes or get in touch straight away. Friesland is ready. Are you?

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