playbook
Rent a boat on the Maasplassen in Limburg
A full day of boating across the Maasplassen near Roermond and Maasbracht, with stops at beaches and waterside restaurants along the way.
8u
duration
€ 200–450
budget
Ground
pace
The Maasplassen form the largest contiguous freshwater area in the Netherlands, with more than 3,000 hectares of navigable water around Roermond, Wessem and Maasbracht. For a full day (eight hours), expect to pay between 200 and 400 euros for a boat accommodating up to six people, excluding fuel. A boating licence is not required as long as the boat does not exceed 20 km/h, and most rental companies give a fifteen-minute briefing at the jetty. The area is quiet, shallow at the edges and suitable for families with children from the age of four.
From the marinas at Wessem or Maasbracht, you can reach the Boschmolenplas, Polderveld and Gerelingsplas within an hour. There are mooring jetties at De Spaanjerd, strand Hatenboer and restaurant Hanssum. On sunny weekends it gets busy; on weekdays you often have entire bays to yourself.
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by PlayTryBe team
Book at least a week in advance with a rental company in Wessem, Maasbracht or at Hatenboer in Roermond, and ask for a boat with a bimini canopy for shade.
During the briefing, ask about the no-go zones, particularly around commercial shipping on the main Maas and near sluis Linne.
Head from the marina to the Boschmolenplas, stay within the marked navigation channels and keep at least 30 metres from swimmers.
Around lunchtime, moor at De Spaanjerd or strand Hatenboer and use a fender to prevent scratches.
In the afternoon, do a loop around the Gerelingsplas and cool off with a swim stop in a shallow spot where you can see the bottom.
Head back before sunset and return the boat on time to avoid being charged for extra hours.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Plan your fuel stop in advance, not all jetties sell petrol on Sundays.
- Navigate the Gerelingsplas anti-clockwise with the wind behind you, so you have it at your back on the return trip.
- Bring cash for small beach kiosks.
- On warm days, setting off early (9 AM) is more pleasant than heading out in the midday heat.
Variations
- - Vervang de zwemstop door een wandeling op Eiland in de Maas vanaf De Spaanjerd.
- - Kies een sloep met buitenboordmotor als je verder weg wilt komen.
- - Combineer met een overnachting in Thorn, het Witte Stadje ligt op tien minuten rijden.
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