Eco Boats Amsterdam

Navigation and Routes

Partly. Routes can be adjusted based on your preferences, within local regulations and time limits.

Yes, as long as you do not block traffic or create unsafe situations.

When renting a self-drive boat, you must stay within the designated sailing area shown on your map.

No problem. Contact us and we will guide you. Our boats are also equipped with GPS so we can always locate and assist you.

Yes. When renting a self-drive boat, you will receive a canal map and route suggestions prior to departure.

General Info

Yes, babies are welcome on board all our cruises. Please note that they count toward the maximum number of passengers permitted on the boat.

No. When renting a self-drive boat, you will receive clear instructions before departure and the boats are easy to operate. Please read the rules that apply on the Amsterdam Canals carefully before going on your trip.

We are open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. Hours may vary during seasonal periods or public holidays. Please contact us to confirm current opening times.

Yes. All our boats are 100% electric. They are quiet, environmentally friendly, and easy to operate.

The total capacity of a cruise depends on the type of boat booked Self Drive Boat Rentals
  • Amstel Boat: up to 7 people
  • Prinsen Boat: up to 8 people
  • Heren Boat: up to 10 people
  • Keizers Boat: up 12 people
Private Boats with skipper
  • The Barbarella: 12 people
  • Wine tasting cruise: 25 people
  • Barbecue boat: 28 people
  • Cocktail boat: 28 people
  • Beer and bites boat: 30 people
  • Pizza boat: 30 people
  • Tapas boat: 30 people
  • Salon Boats: 50 to 75 people
Public Canal Cruises
  • Public cruises have a maximum capacity of 30 people.

In addition to the regular boat rental fee, we are obliged to charge city tax at €2.60 per person. This applies to all boat rentals in Amsterdam.

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.

Self Drive Boat Rental
  • Zandhoek 22 (Prinsen & Keizers boats)
  • Daniël Goedkoopstraat 1 (Amstel & Heren boats)
Private Boat with Skipper
  • Stationsplein 18, near Amsterdam Central Station.
  • Alternative departure locations for private cruises may be possible with prior agreement.
Canal Cruise
  • Only departing from Stationsplein 18, near Amsterdam Central Station.
 

A one-hour canal cruise with a skipper, highlights of the city, and a complimentary drink. Highlights include the canals, the Amstel River, the Skinny Bridge, and the historic city centre.

Yes. Our public canal cruise includes a QR code on board. By scanning it with your smartphone, you can follow the skipper's commentary in 8 languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese.

Yes, dogs are welcome on board all our boats.

Self Drive Boats
  • No toilet on board.
Private Boat with Skipper
  • Only the Barbarella (12 person salon boat) and our larger salon boats for 50 and 75 persons have toilets aboard
Public Canal Cruise
  • No toilet on board. We advise using the facilities near the departure point before boarding.

Self-Drive Boat Rental
  • Our self-drive boats are open. Umbrellas may be available in light rain.
Private Boat with Skipper
  • Our boats can be fully open, partially covered, or fully covered depending on the weather. This will be determined by us prior to departure.
  • Our saloon boats are fully covered
Public Canal Cruise
  • Our boats can be fully open, partially covered, or fully covered depending on the weather. This will be determined by us prior to departure.

Most of our boats are not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us in advance and we will do our best to suggest suitable alternatives.

No. WiFi is not available on any of our boats. We recommend using mobile data if needed.

Small bags are allowed on all boats. Large luggage is not recommended due to limited space.

Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure. You can find our departure points here so you can plan in advance

Yes. Paid parking is available nearby, but we recommend using public transport where possible.

Self Drive
  • Our self-drive locations at Zandhoek 22 and Daniël Goedkoopstraat 1 are easily accessible by tram, bus, or metro.
Private Boat with Skipper
  • Our departure point at Stationsplein 18 is a short walk from Amsterdam Central Station.
Public Canal Cruise
  • Our departure point at Stationsplein 18 is a short walk from Amsterdam Central Station.
Details are included in your booking confirmation.

Check your confirmation email for directions or contact us for assistance.

Contact us as soon as possible. We will check if your item has been found.

Yes. Self-drive boat rental is very popular among tourists and does not require a license.

Yes, depending on availability and weather conditions you can take the self-drive boats out all year round.

Our self-drive boats are equipped with lights, so you can safely return within your rental time.

We depart from Amsterdam Central Station and cruise for 1 hour, passing by the most popular spots in Amsterdam Center such as The Red Light District, The Skinny Bridge, The Amstel River, Prinsengracht, and Herengracht.

Rules and Safety

Yes. The municipality can issue fines for violations such as playing music, unsafe boating, or entering restricted areas.v

Yes. Our boat rentals are easy to operate and you receive easy instructions beforehand. Always follow the canal rules and stay alert. These rules can be found on the navigational map provided prior to departure.

No. Swimming in Amsterdam canals is unsafe and not allowed.

No. It is strictly forbidden for our boats to enter the IJ due to large commercial vessel traffic and serious safety risks.

Self-drive boats
  • Smoking is only permitted on self-drive boats, provided it is done responsibly and does not involve cannabis. Do not throw cigarette butts into the water.
Private boat with skipper
  • No smoking of any kind is allowed on the private canal cruise
Public canal cruise
  • No smoking of any kind is allowed on the public canal cruise

Amsterdam has strict rules against playing music on the canals. Self-drive boats
  • No. Music and speakers are not allowed on Amsterdam canals. Violations may result in a €140 fine.
Private boat with skipper
  • Music is only permitted via silent disco headphones. External speakers or loud music are not allowed.
Public canal cruise
  • No. Music and speakers are not allowed on Amsterdam canals.
Music being played on the canals is only allowed under special circumstances such as Gay Pride and Kings day. The Pride Parade can only play music, spectators may not.

No. The driver must always be sober. Violations can result in immediate termination of the rental without a refund.

Self-drive boats
  • Yes, you may bring your own food and drinks. Alcohol is allowed for passengers, but the driver must remain sober at all times.
Private boat with skipper
  • Catering is arranged through us. Own food and drinks are not permitted, except during specific events such as Kings Day and Amsterdam Gay Pride.
Public canal cruises
  • Own food and drinks are not permitted. Drinks are available on board.

Sure, you're more than welcome to take all the food and drinks with you when you rent the self-drive boats. Mind you, the captain needs to be sober and stay sober. Please mind that this is only allowed on the self-drive boats. On the bigger boats like the private xl boat with captain (30-person canal cruise boat) it's not allowed to bring your own drinks and food. We will arrange the catering for you if you want this. (Except on King's Day and Gay Pride, where it is allowed to bring your own food, but drinks will still be provided by us.)

Booking Info

Yes you can rent a self-drive boat to explore Amsterdam at your own pace. You do not need a boating license to rent a self-drive boat. Self-drive boats are operated by you (minimum age 18), while private and public cruises are always skippered by one of our professional crew.

  • €50 per hour (Amstel & Prinsen boats)
  • €60 per hour (Heren & Keizers boats)
Minimum rental duration: 2 hours City tax: €2.70 per person

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.

Yes. For larger groups we offer private salon boats with a skipper, accommodating for 50 or 75 people. These are ideal for corporate events, large celebrations, and group occasions. Contact us for availability and pricing.

Yes. You can book many different add-on activities that can be booked in advance. However, the activities you are able to book vary depending on the product: Self Drive
  • Plastic fishing: a fun, eco-friendly activity available on self-drive boats, including a net and waste bag, suitable for all ages (€3 per person).
  • Canal Quiz: a fun, informative quiz that helps you learn about Amsterdam with the help of some friendly competition (€3 per person).
Private boat with Skipper
  • Canal Quiz: A fun, informative quiz that helps you learn about Amsterdam with the help of some friendly competition (€3 per person).
  • Silent Disco: Guests receive wireless headphones and can enjoy music on board without causing noise disturbance on the canals. (€7 per person).

Yes. Payment is required to confirm your reservation.

The cancellation policy depends on the type of booking: Self-drive boat rentals:
  • Up to 48 hours before the reservation start time, the tenant may reschedule the reservation free of charge, for up to one year after the originally booked date.
  • In the event of a complete cancellation? The tenant owes Eco Boats Amsterdam 50% of the total agreed rental rate.
  • Within 48 hours before the reservation start time, cancellation is not possible, and the tenant owes 100% of the total agreed rental rate to Eco Boats Amsterdam.
  • If the reservation is made within 48 hours, rescheduling or cancellation is not permitted.
Private cruises with skipper:
  • Up to 1 month before departure: full refund
  • Between 1 month and 1 week before departure: 75% refund
  • Within 1 week before departure: no refund
Public canal cruises:
  • Up to 24 hours before departure: free cancellation
  • Within 24 hours before departure: no refund (100% charged)
In case of severe weather, your booking may be rescheduled into a voucher (no refund). Event bookings (e.g. Kings Day, Pride) cannot be cancelled.

Yes. Bookings can be transferred to another person.

Self-drive rentals

  • The new person must be at least 18 years old and show a valid ID at departure.

Private boat with skipper

  • The transfer must be arranged at least 24 hours in advance and the booking must be fully paid.

Public canal cruises

  • Tickets are transferable as long as the new guest can present the booking confirmation.

Extensions to the time limit of your booking depends on the product booked and external factors Self-drive boats
  • Only if the boat is still available. Call us during your trip to check.
Private boat with skipper
  • Extension is only possible if the schedule allows. Additional time will be charged at the standard hourly rate.
Public canal cruise
  • It is not possible to extend this cruise

Self-drive boats
  • Yes, if there is availability. We recommend checking the website or contacting us directly if you are unsure about availability.
Private boat with skipper
  • This is not possible as we need to prepare the boat and ensure availability in advance
Public canal cruise
  • Yes, if there is availability. We recommend checking the website or contacting us directly if you are unsure about availability.

Light rain is usually not a problem. In severe weather, bookings may be rescheduled. We will call you in advance if the weather will result in a change to your booking Self-drive boats
  • We provide umbrellas for use onboard
Private boat with skipper
  • Depending on the weather our boats can be open, partially covered, or fully covered. We will decide this in advance to the boat's departure.
Public canal cruise
  • Depending on the weather our boats can be open, partially covered, or fully covered. We will decide this in advance to the boat's departure.

If you are late returning the self-drive boat rentals; an additional charge of  €30 will be applied for every 15 minutes of delay. Always contact us if you expect to be late.

Damage, Insurance, and Responsibility

No. No insurance is needed from you for any of our boats.

Self-drive boats
  • No deposit is required
Private boat with skipper
  • We usually ask for a deposit to confirm the booking.
Public canal cruise
  • No deposit is required

  • Maximum deductible: €250
  • Damage must be reported immediately.
  • If rules are not followed, you may be fully liable.

Contact us immediately using the phone number provided at the departure point. We will assist you.

This can often be caused by debris caught in the propeller. Stop the boat safely, make sure the engine is turned off, and carefully check if something is stuck in the propeller. If unsure, contact us.

Why do customers choose Eco Boats Amsterdam

Where can you find us?

Have a question?

Partly. Routes can be adjusted based on your preferences, within local regulations and time limits.

Yes, as long as you do not block traffic or create unsafe situations.

When renting a self-drive boat, you must stay within the designated sailing area shown on your map.

No problem. Contact us and we will guide you. Our boats are also equipped with GPS so we can always locate and assist you.

Yes. When renting a self-drive boat, you will receive a canal map and route suggestions prior to departure.

Yes, babies are welcome on board all our cruises. Please note that they count toward the maximum number of passengers permitted on the boat.

Yes. The municipality can issue fines for violations such as playing music, unsafe boating, or entering restricted areas.v

Yes. Our boat rentals are easy to operate and you receive easy instructions beforehand. Always follow the canal rules and stay alert. These rules can be found on the navigational map provided prior to departure.

No. Swimming in Amsterdam canals is unsafe and not allowed.
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 – 10 pm

The benefits of Eco Boats Amsterdam

Option 1: Sail yourself without a license
Option 2: Buy a sightseeing tour ticket
Option 3: Private cruise with a captain
For small and large groups
Choose from various boats
Electric, whisper-quiet, and clean
Guaranteed a fun day
Perfect for group outings
Amsterdam Centre and East
+31 (0)20 308 66 56