Eco Boats Amsterdam

light festival amsterdam

Amsterdam Light Festival

  • Date: November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025

This is the winter festival of Amsterdam. Every year, the streets and canals of the city are beautifully illuminated by various light installations from international artists.

Options during the Light Festival:

  • Rent a private boat and sail yourself
  • Rent a private boat with a skipper
  • Public boat tour tickets

Amsterdam Light Festival info

Amsterdam event

King’s Day Amsterdam

  • Date: April 26, 2025

The day we celebrate the birthday of our King Willem-Alexander. The city turns completely orange, and you’ll find festive celebrations everywhere, especially on the canals!

Options during King’s Day:

  • Rent a small private boat with a skipper
  • Rent a large private boat with a skipper
  • Public boat tour tickets

King’s Day info

gay pride amsterdam

Amsterdam Gay Pride

  • Date: August 2, 2025

This is one of the largest LGBTQ events in the world. The city hosts vibrant parties everywhere, with the highlight being the famous boat parade on the canals.

Options during the Pride:

  • Rent a private boat and sail yourself to your spot on the route
  • Rent a private boat with a skipper (spot on the route)

Amsterdam Pride info

Other fun events in Amsterdam

  • Sinterklaas Arrival: November 17, 2024

Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) never skips Amsterdam. With his steamboat and helpers, he brings gifts and joy to children every year. The city always gives him a warm welcome during his arrival.

  • Concert on the Amstel: May 5, 2025

This beautiful concert is the traditional festive closing of Liberation Day in Amsterdam, often attended by the King, Queen, and Prime Minister.

  • Prinsengracht Concert: August 20, 2025

This is the largest outdoor classical concert in the Netherlands. It is accessible to a broad audience and showcases many young talents.

  • Grachtenfestival: August 15 to August 24, 2025

The Grachtenfestival introduces people of all ages to music in unique locations throughout the city. From classical to jazz, everyone will find something to enjoy.

  • SAIL Amsterdam 2025 – August 20 to August 24, 2025

This event takes place every five years on the waters in and around Amsterdam. The city is visited by a vast fleet of historic sea-sailing ships from all over the world.

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.
Read all frequently asked questions

Or contact us

Have not found 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