Eco Boats Amsterdam

750 jaar Amsterdam
amsterdam light festival route

Rent a boat and captain it yourself

Rent a boat at Eco Boats Amsterdam and cruise the light route on your own during the Amsterdam Light Festival. You’ll receive a map with a route we’ve carefully planned for you to pass by the artworks. Additionally, the festival offers a digital map for €7,50 via their website, which includes all the artworks, background information, and official routes.

Please note: You can start the light route from 5:00 PM, with a minimum rental duration of 3 hours.

Rent a boat and sail yourself
private boat rental amsterdam light festival

Rent a private boat with skipper

Would you prefer to rent a private boat for a larger group during Amsterdam Light Festival? Step aboard one of our private boats, perfect for up to 30 people. The rental includes a skipper, warm blankets, and optional extras like unlimited drinks and catering. Ideal for a company outing or an enjoyable evening with friends and family!

  • 1.5 hours: from €292.50
  • 2 hours: from €390
  • 3 hours: from €585
  • 4 hours: from €780

Book a private boat with skipper

amsterdam light festival

Tickets for the Light Festival canal cruise

Join our Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise and enjoy a magical evening with a warm drink in hand! Perfect for a family outing, a romantic date, or a fun evening with friends or colleagues. Departing near Amsterdam Central Station, the cruise takes 1 hour and 15 minutes and passes by the stunning artworks along the light route. Our modern sloops, with their semi-covered design, ensure a unique experience.

  • Children: from €14
  • Adults: from €27

Get your canal cruise tickets

Amsterdam Light Festival Official partner

 Cruise the Amsterdam Light Festival route

This year, the Amsterdam Light Festival runs from November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025. From 5:00 PM onwards, the city lights up with stunning artworks that you can view from the water. The theme for the 13th edition is Rituals. At Eco Boats Amsterdam, you can choose from the following options:

  • Private boat for up to 8 or 12 people (self-skippered)
  • Private boat with a skipper for up to 30 people
  • Tickets for a 1-hour and 15-minute canal cruise

Amsterdam Light Festival: November 28, 2024 – January 19, 2025

In 2024, the Amsterdam Light Festival celebrates its 13th edition! From November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025, you can take a look at incredible artworks that utilize unique lighting effects. This year’s theme is Rituals. As the festival describes it: “Light gives rituals a mystical and sacred quality that no other element can offer. Rituals also have the power to connect and bring people together.”

Cruising along stunning artworks

From hundreds of submissions, the jury has selected several breathtaking artworks. After months of preparation, these pieces will finally be unveiled to the public. While the artworks are also accessible via a walking route, they truly shine when viewed from the water. The shimmering canals enhance the beauty of the pieces, set against Amsterdam’s iconic waterways. The lights will be on daily from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, welcoming everyone to experience them.

A unique Amsterdam experience

At Eco Boats Amsterdam, we’re amazed by this festival year after year. Both our customers and our team always return in awe. Experiencing the festival from our silent boats is a true delight. You’ll cruise quietly past dazzling light effects, often integrated with the architecture along Amsterdam’s canals. Visit Eco Boats Amsterdam and enjoy a magical evening on the water! The light festival route is an absolute must-see!

Why do customers choose Eco Boats Amsterdam

Where can you find us?

Have a question?

Certainly! You can hire a private large boat, including a captain and catering and/or activities. The private boat accommodates 30 people, ensuring exclusivity for your group, with catering options. Or you can rent multiple smaller boats that you can sail yourself. This means you are the captain. No boating licence needed! You can choose between different extra activities:
  • Plastic fishing
  • Silent disco
  • Amsterdam canal quiz
 

We offer various extra activities when you rent a boat from us. You pay a low rate per person. Choose the activity as an extra when booking. Extra activities for renting a small boat and self-sailing Extra activities for renting a large boat with a captain

In addition to the regular boat rental fee, we are obliged to charge city tax at €2.50 per person. This applies to all boat rentals in Amsterdam.

We are open every day, all year round.
  • Monday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Friday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Saturday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Sunday: 10:00 - 22:00

Certainly! You can hire a boat with us during various events, such as King's Day, Gay Pride, and the Amsterdam Light Festival. The rental usually starts 4 to 6 months in advance. So, make sure to book in advance to secure a boat.

Available boats

  • Small boats that you can sail yourself
  • Private canal boats with a captain and space for 30 people
  • Tickets for our public canal cruise

Do you need to sail yourself or is there a captain?

Please note: on King's Day, you always rent a boat with a captain. You can rent both the small boats and the large private canal cruise boat with space for 30 people. On other holidays/events, you are allowed to sail yourself.

Food and drinks

Regarding food and drinks on King's Day and Gay Pride: On the small boats where you are the captain, you may bring your own food and drinks. On the large boats (30-person boats), it's only allowed to bring your own food. We will arrange the drinks for you.

Plastic fishing is only possible when you rent a boat to sail yourself. You can fish for plastic while sailing for a low rate of €3 per person. You will receive all the necessary equipment on board to fish for plastic from the canals during your boat trip, including nets and garbage bags. It’s not only a lot of fun, but also good for the environment!

Yes, we have life jackets for children available. This is free of charge.

The rates vary per boat. We offer 4 different self-drive boats. You rent a boat for a minimum of 2 hours, and pay a low amount per hour for any additional time.
All frequently asked questions

Or contact us

Did you not find what you are looking for? We are happy to assist you.

Opening hours

Mon till sun: 10 am – 1o pm

+31 (0) 6 216 171 11