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Water Activities · Amsterdam

Best water activities in Amsterdam

Boats, kayaks and the parts of Amsterdam you only see from the water

Amsterdam from the water. Sunset sailings, kayak runs, snorkel days and the occasional sail-and-swim — Amsterdam's coastline (or rivers, lakes) seen from where most visitors don't bother looking. Operators are licensed; safety gear is provided as standard.

Top 10 water activities in Amsterdam

Ratings & reviews via Google

  1. Amsterdam Watersports01

    1. Amsterdam Watersports

    4.9· 102 reviews

    Krijn Taconiskade 446, 1087 HW Amsterdam, Netherlands

  2. Amsterdam Boat Trips02

    2. Amsterdam Boat Trips

    4.9· 6,249 reviews

    Oudezijds Voorburgwal 226, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

  3. Tiki Pool03

    3. Tiki Pool

    3.9· 4,764 reviews

    Duinrell 1, 2242 JP Wassenaar, Netherlands

  4. Eco Boats Amsterdam Centrum04

    4. Eco Boats Amsterdam Centrum

    4.9· 1,414 reviews

    Zandhoek 22, 1013 KT Amsterdam, Netherlands

  5. Floating Amsterdam05

    5. Floating Amsterdam

    4.8· 613 reviews

    Stationsplein 18, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands

  6. Event op het Water | Partyboot, Borrelboot & BBQ boot Amsterdam06

    6. Event op het Water | Partyboot, Borrelboot & BBQ boot Amsterdam

    4.8· 57 reviews

    De Ruijterkade 14, 1012 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands

  7. Sloterplas07

    7. Sloterplas

    4.6· 1,570 reviews

    Oostoever, 1064 GW Amsterdam, Netherlands

  8. Amsterdam Boat Adventures | Open boat tours08

    8. Amsterdam Boat Adventures | Open boat tours

    5.0· 2,610 reviews

    Nieuwe Keizersgracht 1, 1018 DS Amsterdam, Netherlands

  9. NEMO Science Museum09

    9. NEMO Science Museum

    4.5· 36,601 reviews

    Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam, Netherlands

  10. Amsterdam Suppen10

    10. Amsterdam Suppen

    5.0· 49 reviews

    Nieuwe Herengracht 55, 1011 RH Amsterdam, Netherlands

What's on the water in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's water options range from a 30-minute harbour cruise to a full sailing day. The right pick is usually about timing: golden-hour cruises for couples, longer day-sails for groups, kayak runs for the fit and curious. We've sorted the list along those lines.

Seasonality and conditions

Sea conditions matter — monsoon and post-monsoon swells make small-boat activities risky. The good operators in Amsterdam cancel or reschedule when conditions warrant; the dodgy ones don't. We list only operators with a public weather-cancellation policy. Bring sunscreen and a dry-bag.

What to wear and bring

Quick-dry clothing, closed water shoes for kayak/snorkel runs, leather sandals or boat shoes for cruises. Phones can be dropped — bring a waterproof pouch. Most sunset cruises serve drinks; check ahead if you want a specific cocktail or BYOB.

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