Giethoorn boat rental - the Dutch Venice of the North - without standing in the village-centre line: start at Nijenhuis in Wanneperveen. You park free at Veneweg 199, get a personal briefing, and boat 3 km through National Park Weerribben-Wieden to the canals.
We have been a family business since 1972. By road Giethoorn is 5 km; by water it is 3 km. The drive is shorter. The boat trip is the point of the day.
Facts before you book
Figures come from our own fleet and the fixed route from our jetty.
From
€20 per day (canoe/kayak)
Sloop from
€175 per day
Licence
Not required (boats < 15 m / 20 km/h)
Distance by water
3 km one way
Distance by road
5 km
One-way time
about 1.5 hours
Dogs
Welcome, on a lead
Parking
Free at the jetty, Veneweg 199
Last verified: 2026-08-23
Which boat may enter Giethoorn?
Not every hull fits the village canals. Choose on that, not only on group size.
- Electric sloop, 8 or 10 people - allowed through Giethoorn, quiet, no licence. From €175/day.
- 5-person whisper boat - the cheapest motorboat, from €80/day.
- Canoe, kayak or SUP - from €20. Better for the Weerribben than for the crowded village centre.
- Classic Tender 570 and 720 - not allowed through Giethoorn. Use them on the lakes and for Belt-Schutsloot.
See the full fleet or the Giethoorn comparison. Groups of 8–12: group sloops.
Giethoorn boat rental prices
Day rates include VAT and the briefing. Parking is free.
- 1-person kayak - €20.
- 3-person canoe - €25.
- SUP - €35.
- 5-person electric boat - €80.
- 8-person electric sloop - €175. Allowed through Giethoorn.
- 10-person electric sloop - €200. Allowed through Giethoorn.
- Classic Tender 570 / 720 - €200 / €230. Not through Giethoorn.
Sloops from 8 people carry a €100 deposit, returned when the boat comes back on time and undamaged. Multi-day rates: prices.
Wanneperveen to Giethoorn
The jetty is 3 km by water from Giethoorn and 5 km by road. An electric sloop takes about 1.5 hours one way. In the village the limit is 6 km/h - a local navigation rule, not a slogan.
Round trip is about 14 km and 3–4 hours including a stop. A day hire covers that comfortably. We walk the narrow passages with you before you leave.
Park rules and speed limits can change by season. Check National Park Weerribben-Wieden and our chart.
Last verified: 2026-08-23
What departure is actually like
You park beside the jetty, unload at the car, and step aboard a few metres away. The briefing takes five to ten minutes: controls, where you may moor, and which boats must stay out of the village canals.
If you want the canals before the tour boats fill them, leave at 09:00. You still travel through reedland first; you just arrive before the coaches pack the Binnenpad. That is how we time it when we take guests who came for Giethoorn itself.
If you want quieter water, stay in the Weerribben or continue to Belt-Schutsloot. English articles: the blog.
Guest reviews
Google rating 4.2 from 160 reviews.
Wij hebben de 10/12 persoons boot gehuurd. We hebben het heel erg naar onze zin gehad. De boot was echt heel erg netjes en super comfortabel. Perfect voor elkaar! Heel erg bedankt!
Weekend weg met familie. Zeer geslaagd in een mooi huis aan de rand van de Weerribben. Wat een prachtig uitzicht.
Heerlijk gevaren met mijn gezin in een uitstekende Polyvalk. Zeilt prachtig. We hebben een mooie route naar Blokzijl gevaren: brug, sluis, terrasje en natuurlijk een groot meer. Het schip was goed onderhouden en de buitenboordmotor liep als een zonnetje. Zowel bij vertrek als bij ontvangst zijn we vriendelijk geholpen en begeleid. Wij komen zeker nog een keertje terug :)
Giethoorn boat rental FAQ
Do I need a boat licence?
No. Every Nijenhuis hire boat is under 15 metres and limited to 20 km/h, so you do not need a licence on inland waterways. We give a short briefing before departure.
How far is Giethoorn from Wanneperveen?
The jetty at Veneweg 199 is 3 km by water and 5 km by road from Giethoorn. An electric sloop takes about 1.5 hours one way. Plan 3–4 hours for the round trip including a stop in the village.
Which boats may enter Giethoorn?
The 8- and 10-person electric sloops may go through the village canals. The Classic Tender 570 and 720 may not. Call us before you book if you need the canals themselves.
What does a Giethoorn boat cost?
Canoe or kayak from €20 per day, 5-person electric boat from €80, 8-person sloop from €175. Parking at the jetty is free. Full list: /tarieven.
Can I take a dog?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on board. Keep them on a lead in the village and at moorings.
Where do I park?
Free, next to the jetty at Veneweg 199, Wanneperveen. No disc, no time limit. Village-centre parking in Giethoorn is paid and further from the water.
When should I leave to avoid the crowds?
Leave at 09:00 opening time. You reach the village around 10:30, before most day visitors. A post-lunch start puts you in the busiest hour.
How do I get here from Amsterdam or Germany?
About 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Amsterdam via the A1/A28 to Wanneperveen. From Germany, follow the A28/A37 towards Meppel, then 20 minutes to Veneweg 199.
Why is Giethoorn called the Venice of the North?
The old village has canals instead of roads, wooden bridges and thatched farmhouses. That water layout earned the nickname Venice of the North (Venetië van Nederland). It sits in National Park Weerribben-Wieden; from Wanneperveen the canal village is about 1.5 hours by electric sloop.
Related pages
Book your Giethoorn boat
Pick a date, check live availability, and depart from Veneweg 199.