Boat hire in Overijssel: the 5 most beautiful boating areas
Overijssel is one of the best provinces in the Netherlands for boating. Not as famous as Friesland, not as busy as South Holland — but with boating areas that are at least as beautiful. From the vast Weerribben-Wieden to the historic Hanseatic city of Zwolle: there's plenty of water.
In this article we list the five most beautiful boating areas in Overijssel. With practical tips on which boat to hire, what it costs, and which area suits you.
1. Nationaal Park Weerribben-Wieden
Location: Tip of Overijssel (Wanneperveen, Giethoorn, Belt-Schutsloot, Kalenberg) Type of water: Waterways, ditches, lakes, reed beds Best boat: Whisper boat, sloep, or canoe
The undisputed highlight of Overijssel. Almost 11,000 hectares of protected nature, crisscrossed by hundreds of kilometres of navigable water. Giethoorn is here too — but the area is much larger than that one village.
Why boat here:
- The largest and most varied boating area in Overijssel
- Protected nature with otters, herons, and orchids
- Mix of narrow ditches and wide lakes
- No boating licence required
Recommendation: Start from Wanneperveen — centrally located, quiet, and you can reach the whole area.
Price guide: Whisper boat from €30/hour, sloep from €100/day.
2. Giethoorn and surroundings
Location: Middle of Weerribben-Wieden Type of water: Canals, channels, connecting lakes Best boat: Whisper boat (in the canals), sloep (for the whole area)
Yes, Giethoorn is technically part of Weerribben-Wieden. But it deserves its own mention because the experience is different. Giethoorn's canals — with thatched roofs, wooden bridges, and gardens down to the water — are unique in the Netherlands.
Why boat here:
- The iconic canals of "the Venice of the North"
- Combine the canals with the open water around them
- Terraces and restaurants reachable by boat
Note: In peak season the centre can get very busy. Start outside the village (for example from Wanneperveen) and enter Giethoorn via the quieter back routes.
Price guide: Whisper boat from €30/hour; prices in the centre are higher than in the surrounding area.
3. The Vecht delta (Zwolle – Dalfsen – Ommen)
Location: Central Overijssel Type of water: River Vecht, canals, side waters Best boat: Canoe, kayak, or small motorboat
The Overijsselse Vecht winds through a beautiful landscape of woods, estates, and sandbanks. Boating on the Vecht feels different from the Weerribben: it's a river with current, so you're really going somewhere.
Why boat here:
- Varied landscape: forests, estates, villages
- Current makes it more dynamic than still water
- Canoe and kayak routes from Ommen to Dalfsen or further
- Less touristy than Giethoorn
Note: On some sections of the Vecht a licence is required for motorboats. Check in advance.
4. The Randmeren (Kampen – Elburg)
Location: West side of Overijssel, along the former Zuiderzee area Type of water: Open lakes (Ketelmeer, Vossemeer, Drontermeer) Best boat: Sailing boat or larger motorboat
A completely different boating area: the Randmeren are large, open, and windy. Ideal for sailors and people who love wide water. Kampen is a fine base with a historic old town.
Why boat here:
- Large open water, ideal for sailing
- Historic Hanseatic towns on the water (Kampen, Elburg)
- Connection to Ketelmeer and IJsselmeer
Note: On the Randmeren it can get windy. Experience with sailing or open water is advisable here. For most boats a Klein Vaarbewijs 2 is required.
5. Canals around Almelo and Twente
Location: East Overijssel Type of water: Canals (Overijssels Kanaal, Twentekanaal, Almelo-De Haandrik) Best boat: Motorboat or sloep
Twente's canals are straight, quiet, and surrounded by greenery. It's a different kind of boating — less nature than the Weerribben, but with its own charm. You pass farms, go through locks, and cruise along ruler-straight canals where you can see for kilometres.
Why boat here:
- Quiet and straightforward
- Locks as an extra experience
- Combine with a visit to Ootmarsum or Almelo
- Little other boat traffic
Comparison: which boating area suits you?
| Weerribben-Wieden | Giethoorn | Vecht delta | Randmeren | Twente canals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of experience | Nature, silence | Village canals | River, landscape | Open water, sailing | Canal, quiet |
| Crowds | Quiet (outside Giethoorn) | Can be busy | Quiet | Moderate | Very quiet |
| Licence required? | No | No | Sometimes | Usually | Sometimes |
| Best boat | Whisper boat/sloep | Whisper boat | Canoe | Sailing boat | Motorboat |
| Ideal for | Nature, families, groups | Tourists, day trips | Sporty types | Sailors, experienced | Peace, relaxation |
| Our rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Bordering Overijssel: Drenthe
Many people searching for "boat hire Drenthe" end up at Weerribben-Wieden — and that makes sense. The area lies on the border of Overijssel and Drenthe. From Wanneperveen you're on Drenthe waterways within minutes.
If you live or stay in Drenthe, Weerribben-Wieden is the nearest large boating area. Meppel, Hoogeveen, and Emmen are a 30-minute to one-hour drive away.
Practical tips for boating in Overijssel
- Book in advance — especially in Weerribben-Wieden in peak season
- Check licence requirements — not needed in the Weerribben, sometimes elsewhere
- Bring a map — ANWB water charts cover all of Overijssel
- Allow for wind — on open water it can get windy
- Combine boating with walking or cycling — many areas also have beautiful land routes
Summary
Overijssel has something for every boater:
- Nature and silence → Weerribben-Wieden (start from Wanneperveen)
- Iconic canals → Giethoorn
- River and adventure → Vecht delta
- Open water and sailing → Randmeren
- Peace and canals → Twente
Nijenhuis Botenverhuur is the specialist for boating in Weerribben-Wieden. Start from Wanneperveen — centrally in Overijssel's finest boating area. View all boats →