Renting a Boat on Volendam and Edam
8 h€ 150-280 Calm
A day sailing between the stilt village of Marken, the harbour of Volendam, and the old quaysides of Edam. Quiet engine, wide skies, four fixed stops.
On a calm Markermeer day, a small boat between Volendam and Edam feels like the simplest way to read the old Zuiderzee. You set off from the harbour of Volendam, sail out onto the Gouwzee, and cross over to Marken, where the stilt villages hang low above the water. A boating licence is not required for most rental boats (engine under 15 km/u, shorter than 15 metres), though a brief on-board instruction is.
The best months are May through September, when the water is usually flat in the morning and the wind only picks up after lunch. Renting for a full day typically costs between 150 and 280 euros for a boat of up to six people, fuel included. You can go with or without a skipper. Those who want to steer themselves get a map showing the shallow spots around Marken and the moorings in Edam.
Checklist
0 of 6
Weer en windverwachting checken
Zonnebrand en pet meenemen
Lunch en water aan boord
Identiteitsbewijs en borg klaar
Aanlegplek Edam reserveren
Reddingsvest passen voor kinderen
Pick up the keys and map from the rental point at the Volendam harbour. Ask about the shallow sections around Marken.
Head out slowly through the harbour entrance and set course across the Gouwzee toward the stilt village of Marken.
Moor at the Marken harbour for a stroll past the green houses and coffee on the terrace.
Cut across to Edam via het Oorgat and tie up at one of the visitor moorings in the centre.
Engine off in open water, drop the anchor, and just be. Listen to the rigging tick and the gulls.
Head back to Volendam in the late afternoon and return the boat clean and with a full tank.
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For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Start early in the morning, that's when the Gouwzee is at its calmest.
- Call ahead the day before to book during high season, popular boats go fast.
- Bring cash, some of the terraces on Marken don't accept card payments.
- Layer up, on the water it always feels about 5 degrees colder.
Variations
- - Huur een sloep met schipper als niemand vaarervaring heeft.
- - Plan de tocht andersom, eerst Edam via het Oorgat en daarna Marken.
- - Combineer met een bezoek aan de kaasmarkt in Edam op zomerse woensdagen.
by PlayTryBe team