Hire a boat in Weerribben-Wieden: cruising through the Netherlands' most beautiful nature reserve
Weerribben-Wieden is the largest contiguous lowland peat bog in Northwest Europe. Almost 11,000 hectares of water, reed beds, marsh forest, and hay meadows — linked by hundreds of kilometres of waterways, ditches, and lakes.
And the best way to discover it? From the water.
Whether you hire a whisper boat for two hours or spend a full day exploring the area in a sloep: boating in Weerribben-Wieden is an experience you won't forget quickly.
Why Weerribben-Wieden?
It's big — really big
Forget Giethoorn's canals for a moment (they're here too, but that's only a small part). The national park is so vast that you can boat for hours without seeing the same spot twice. Wide lakes, narrow ditches, reed beds as tall as a house — and silence everywhere.
Nature at its best
Weerribben-Wieden is a Natura 2000 site. That means protected nature of European importance. Here you cruise among otters, great egrets, purple herons, marsh harriers, and — if you're lucky — the rare bittern. In spring the hay meadows bloom with orchids and marsh marigolds.
Accessible yet peaceful
The area lies in the tip of Overijssel, a 90-minute drive from Amsterdam and an hour from Zwolle. Yet it feels like another world. Outside Giethoorn, the water is never crowded.
Which boat do you hire in the Weerribben?
| Boat type | Suitable for | Duration | Price guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whisper boat (electric) | 2–6 people | 1–4 hours | €30 – €55/hour |
| Sloep | 4–12 people | Half or full day | €75 – €230/day |
| Canoe or kayak | 1–3 people | 1–4 hours | €15 – €25/hour |
| SUP | 1 person | 1–2 hours | €15 – €20/hour |
| Motorboat (larger) | 4–10 people | Full day | €125 – €230/day |
Whisper boat — the most popular choice
Quiet, electric, and easy to handle. You glide silently through the reeds without disturbing nature. Ideal for a first introduction to the area.
Sloep — for a full day out
With a sloep you can go deeper into the reserve. Bring a picnic, moor at a quiet spot, and make a full day of it. For groups, a sloep is the best choice.
Canoe — for adventurers
A canoe fits through ditches where no motorboat can go. You reach places 99% of visitors never see. Active, quiet, and intimate.
Where do you start?
Your departure point shapes your experience:
Wanneperveen
Centrally located in the Wieden section. Within minutes you're on quiet water and can head in any direction: towards Giethoorn, Belt-Schutsloot, or the open lakes. The ideal starting point if you want to explore the whole area.
Giethoorn
The best-known departure point, but also the busiest. You start right in the tourist centre. Advantage: you see the famous canals immediately. Downside: in peak season it can get very busy.
Kalenberg
In the heart of the Weerribben — the northern, wilder part. It's always quiet here. Perfect if you come purely for nature.
Belt-Schutsloot
A small waterside village south of Giethoorn. Quiet, authentic, and a good starting point for the southern part of the Wieden.
Our advice: Start in Wanneperveen. You combine the peace of a small village with the freedom to reach the entire area — including Giethoorn, but via the quieter back routes.
What can you expect on the water?
The first minutes
You get a short briefing: how the boat works, where you're allowed to go, and the traffic rules. Then you step aboard and you're on your own. It feels exciting at first — but after two minutes you've got the hang of it.
The landscape
As soon as you round the first bend, everything changes. The road, the cars, the noise — it disappears. You cruise through a landscape of water and reeds, with the occasional farm or wooden bridge. It's quiet, apart from the birds.
Waterways and lakes
The network of waterways is well signposted with ANWB markers. You can't really get lost. The narrow channels are atmospheric and sheltered. The wider lakes — such as Belterwijde and Beulakerwijde — give a broad, open feeling.
The villages
Along the way you pass villages like Belt-Schutsloot, Wanneperveen, and — if you head that way — Giethoorn. Everywhere you can moor for coffee, ice cream, or simply a walk.
When is the best time to go boating?
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| April – May | Blooming hay meadows, nesting birds, little crowding |
| June | Warm, long days, orchids in bloom |
| July – August | Peak season, warm, Giethoorn busy (rest stays quiet) |
| September | Autumn colours beginning, quiet, pleasant weather |
| October | Cool but beautiful, golden light, almost nobody on the water |
Tip: May and September are the golden months. Pleasant weather, long daylight, and the water almost to yourself.
Do you need a boating licence?
No. For all rental boats in Weerribben-Wieden you don't need a licence. The boats are under 15 metres and don't go faster than 20 km/h — so they fall under the exemption.
You always get a briefing before departure. Experience is not required.
How much does hiring a boat in the Weerribben cost?
Prices depend on boat type and duration:
| 1 hour | 2 hours | Half day | Full day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canoe | €15 | €25 | €35 | €45 |
| Whisper boat (small) | €30 | €50 | €70 | €95 |
| Whisper boat (large) | €40 | €65 | €90 | €120 |
| Sloep | – | – | €100 | €150 |
| Large motorboat | – | – | €130 | €200 |
With a group of 6 people and a sloep for a full day you pay less than €30 per person. That's cheaper than a theme park — and more beautiful.
5 tips for your first time
- Book in advance — especially in peak season and at weekends
- Bring a map — you usually get one from the rental company, but an app like Waterkaart works too
- Use sunscreen — reflection off the water doubles UV exposure
- Bring food and drinks — picnicking on the water is half the fun
- Don't go too fast — you see the most when you cruise slowly
Summary
- Weerribben-Wieden is 11,000 hectares of nature, accessible by water
- Whisper boat, sloep, canoe, or motorboat — there's a boat for everyone
- No boating licence required
- Start in Wanneperveen for the best mix of peace and reach
- May and September are the finest months
- A day on the water costs €15 – €30 per person
Nijenhuis Botenverhuur lies in the heart of Weerribben-Wieden. Start from Wanneperveen and discover the Netherlands' finest boating area. View our fleet →