playbook
Renting a Motorboat on the Oosterschelde
A day out on the Oosterschelde in Zeeland in a motorboat with a small boating licence and tidal instruction. Sheltered mooring points at Yerseke, Zierikzee and Sint Annaland.
8u
duration
€ 250–450
budget
Ground
pace
Renting a motorboat on the Oosterschelde takes you across the largest saltwater nature reserve in the Netherlands, between Schouwen-Duiveland, Tholen and Noord-Beveland. Sheltered mooring points include Yerseke, Zierikzee and Sint Annaland. The Westerschelde is not a suitable recreational motorboat route due to heavy commercial shipping and currents of up to four knots, so steer clear of it.
Do I need a boating licence? Yes, on tidal waters a small boating licence is strongly recommended, and for boats over fifteen metres or faster than twenty kilometres per hour it is legally required. What is the minimum age for a skipper? Eighteen years old, though many rental companies require twenty-one due to the currents. Is a BBQ allowed on board? No, on the Oosterschelde this is generally prohibited due to fire and environmental risks, though a cold picnic is perfectly fine. How far in advance should you book? Four to eight weeks ahead from May through August. The tidal difference is around three metres at spring tide and 2.5 metres at neap tide, so plan your departure and return around the tide table. Rates range from 250 to 450 euros per half-day for a boat accommodating six people. Children under twelve must wear a life jacket, which is provided.
Checklist
0 of 7
Getij-tabel printen of app instellen
Klein vaarbewijs of instructie geregeld
Zwemvesten voor kinderen onder 12
Marifoonkanaal noteren
Koude lunch inpakken, BBQ verboden
Drinkwater, zonbescherming, regenkleding
Stroming-app of getij-tabel checken
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by PlayTryBe team
Choose a rental company with tidal instruction in Yerseke, Zierikzee or Sint Annaland.
Book four to eight weeks in advance from May through August.
Study the tide table and current forecast for your departure day.
Put life jackets on children under twelve before setting off.
Sail within the tidal window to Roggenplaat or Plompetoren for seal spotting.
Keep a safe distance from commercial vessels and stay within the fairway.
Return the boat on time before slack water and the wait tide.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Book with a rental company that includes tidal instruction.
- Lunch in Zierikzee at Brasserie Le Grand Cafe.
- Avoid winds above force three Beaufort due to wave action.
- Combine with seal spotting at the Roggenplaat.
- Plan your departure at slack water for the gentlest currents.
Variations
- - Begeleide vaartocht met schipper bij eerste keer.
- - Halve dag rondom Yerseke met oester-stop.
- - Vroege ochtendvaart bij eb voor zandbankjes en zeehonden.
- - Combineer met fietshuur op Tholen voor de terugweg.
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