Boat Rental near Giethoorn: The Complete Guide for 2026
Giethoorn attracts more than one and a half million visitors every year. Most come for one thing: boating. But if you have never been before, that raises questions. Which boat should you hire? What does it cost? Do you need a boating licence? And how do you avoid waiting in line for hours?
In this guide, we answer everything you need to know — so you can head out on the water feeling relaxed.
Which boat is right for you?
There are several types of boats you can hire. The choice depends on your group size, budget, and what you want to do.
Electric boat (whisper boat)
The classic choice for Giethoorn. Quiet, easy to steer, and you can operate it without a boating licence. Ideal for a peaceful trip through the canals and across the lakes.
- Suitable for: 2–6 people
- Price guide: €30 – €55 per hour
- Boating licence required? No
- Ideal for: couples, families, relaxed boating
Sloop
Larger than an electric boat and often equipped with a table — perfect if you want a picnic on the water. Sloops are available with electric or petrol engines.
- Suitable for: 4–12 people
- Price guide: €75 – €175 per day
- Boating licence required? No (at speeds under 20 km/h and length under 15 metres)
- Ideal for: larger groups, families, day trips
Canoe or kayak
For the active types. You paddle through narrow ditches where no motorboat can go — the quietest and most intimate way to explore the area.
- Suitable for: 1–3 people
- Price guide: €15 – €25 per hour
- Boating licence required? No
- Ideal for: active days out, nature, couples
SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard)
Popular in good weather. You stand on a board and paddle through the water. Fun, but you will get wet if things go wrong.
- Suitable for: 1 person
- Price guide: €15 – €20 per hour
- Boating licence required? No
- Ideal for: sporty types, warm weather, young adults
Larger motorboat
For a full day of boating across the lakes of the Weerribben-Wieden. With a larger motorboat you can venture deeper into the area — to Blokzijl, Belt-Schutsloot, or across the Beulakerweide.
- Suitable for: 4–10 people
- Price guide: €125 – €230 per day
- Boating licence required? Depends on engine power and navigation zone
- Ideal for: full-day trips, larger groups
Do you need a boating licence?
In most cases: no. For boats shorter than 15 metres that do not exceed 20 km per hour, you do not need a boating licence in the Netherlands. That applies to virtually all rental boats in the Giethoorn area.
Before departure, you always receive an instruction: how the boat works, where you may and may not navigate, and what the traffic rules on the water are.
What does boat rental near Giethoorn cost?
Prices vary by boat type, season, and duration:
| Boat type | Per hour | Half day | Full day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canoe / kayak | €15 – €25 | €30 – €45 | €40 – €55 |
| SUP | €15 – €20 | €25 – €35 | €35 – €45 |
| Electric boat (2–4 pers.) | €30 – €45 | €60 – €90 | €80 – €120 |
| Electric boat (6 pers.) | €40 – €55 | €75 – €110 | €100 – €140 |
| Sloop | – | €75 – €125 | €100 – €175 |
| Motorboat (large) | – | €100 – €165 | €125 – €230 |
During peak season (July–August) and on public holidays, prices tend to be at the higher end. In the shoulder seasons, you will often find more attractive rates.
Avoiding the crowds: 5 tips
Giethoorn can get extremely busy on sunny summer days — up to 30,000 visitors in a single day. That means long waiting times, packed canals, and little peace on the water.
1. Start outside Giethoorn
Most visitors board a boat in the centre of Giethoorn. But the Weerribben-Wieden is a vast area. By starting from a quieter departure point — such as Wanneperveen or Belt-Schutsloot — you cruise on calm water and enter Giethoorn from the back, where it is much quieter.
2. Go early or late
Crowds peak between 11:00 and 15:00. If you get on the water at 9:00, you will have the canals almost to yourself. After 16:00, it quickly becomes quieter again.
3. Choose a weekday
The difference between Tuesday and Saturday is enormous. Can you go midweek? Then you will have a completely different experience.
4. Book in advance
On busy days, all boats are reserved early. If you wait until you arrive, you risk finding nothing available. Booking online gives you certainty.
5. Explore the wider area, not just the canals
The canals of Giethoorn are beautiful, but the surrounding area is at least as impressive. Head towards the Weerribben — to the reed fields, the lakes, and the villages where no tourist buses go.
What should you bring?
A short checklist for a successful day on the water:
- ☀️ Sunscreen and sunglasses (reflection off the water)
- 🧥 Extra layer of clothing (it is colder on the water)
- 🍞 Food and drinks (picnicking on the water is half the fun)
- 📱 Charged phone (for navigation and photos)
- 🗑️ Rubbish bag (take your waste back with you)
- 👟 Shoes with grip (decks can be wet)
Summary
- There are boats for every budget and group size
- You almost never need a boating licence
- Book in advance, especially during peak season
- Start outside the centre of Giethoorn to avoid the crowds
- Explore not only the canals, but also the Weerribben-Wieden
Nijenhuis Botenverhuur rents electric boats, sloops, canoes and more from Wanneperveen — a 10-minute boat ride from Giethoorn, but without the crowds. View the fleet and book →