playbook
Rent a boat on Hofvijver Den Haag half day
A half day boating through the canals of The Hague with the Hofvijver as the route anchor. A walking stop along the Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis, with practical tips for booking and route planning.
4u
duration
€ 90–160
budget
Ground
pace
The Hofvijver next to the Binnenhof is a closed pond. You cannot sail on it yourself with a rented boat. The practical way to make the Hofvijver your waterside destination is to spend half a day boating through the canals of The Hague, with the pond as your route goal. Starting from a boarding point at the Bierkade or near the Spui, you sail via the Veerkade towards the city centre, moor near the Spui and take a short walk along the Hofvijver, the Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis before heading back.
No boating licence is required for an open boat up to fifteen horsepower. Book one to two weeks in advance, check the weather for wind and rain beforehand and take bridge heights in the city centre into account. Four hours is just enough for a relaxed cruise, a proper walking stop at the Hofvijver and a return trip without any rush.
Checklist
0 of 6
Sloep gereserveerd voor vier uur
Legitimatie en borg meegenomen
Weer en wind gecheckt
Lagen kleding en regenjas
Drinken en snacks aan boord
Wandelschoenen voor loopstop
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by PlayTryBe team
Reserve an open boat without a boating licence for four hours with a Hague canal rental company with a boarding point at the Bierkade or near the Spui.
When picking up the boat, ask for an explanation of the controls, bridge heights and the route via the Veerkade towards the city centre.
Sail via the Veerkade and the Bierkade towards the city centre and choose the quay with the best view of the façades around the Hofvijver.
Moor near the Spui and walk via the Plaats along the Hofvijver, the Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis.
Sail back via a quieter canal and leave plenty of time for the return of the boat.
Refuel in good time, inspect the boat together with the rental company and settle the deposit.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Book on a weekday for quieter canals and a lower price
- Set off early in the morning for soft light
- Keep an eye on bridge heights near the Veerkade
- Combine with a short walk around the Binnenhof
- Plan your return well within the rental company's opening hours
Variations
- - Combineer met een vroege lunch bij het Plein
- - Vaar in plaats van richting Prinsegracht richting Laakhaven
- - Boek een grotere sloep voor zes personen en deel de kosten
- - Doe het in het najaar voor warme kleuren langs de walkanten