Rent a motorboat on the Wieden for half a day
4 h€ 80-180 Calm
Four hours of boating on the Beulakerwijde or through reed channels in Nationaal Park Weerribben-Wieden, in a motorboat with no licence required. Depart from Belt-Schutsloot or Sint Jansklooster.
Half a day on the Wieden gives you just enough time for a loop across the Beulakerwijde or through the reed channels, without it turning into a full-day undertaking. Rental companies in Belt-Schutsloot and Sint Jansklooster often offer morning or afternoon blocks of four hours. The morning is quieter on the water, with a better chance of spotting birds and fewer ripples on the surface.
No boating licence required as long as the boat stays under 15 metres and the engine stays below 20 km/h. The nature reserve falls within Nationaal Park Weerribben-Wieden, so keep your speed down in the reed channels and do not moor in protected zones. Perfectly manageable with children thanks to the shallow, calm water. If it rains, opt for a covered boat or push the morning block back to the afternoon.
Checklist
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Sloep vooraf reserveren
Vaarkaart Wieden meenemen
Drinken en koek mee
Zonnebrand en pet mee
Regenjas in tas
Telefoon waterdicht opbergen
Book a motorboat for the morning or afternoon block with a rental company in Belt-Schutsloot or Sint Jansklooster.
Pick up the nautical map and mark a short loop across the Beulakerwijde or through a reed channel.
Spend the first hour on open water to get a feel for the wind, and stay in the lee if it is blowing hard.
Stop at a marked jetty for a coffee or a short walk along the reeds.
Head back via a different channel to take a new route on the return leg.
Return the boat well ahead of time so you can moor up at a relaxed pace and fill in the logbook.
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For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Book the morning block if you want to see birds or quiet reed channels.
- Keep your speed low in narrow waterways to protect the banks and nesting birds.
- Bring binoculars, bitterns and kingfishers are often spotted in the reed beds.
- Avoid the Beulakerwijde in wind force 5 or higher and choose an inland route instead.
- Ask the rental company whether the boat is electric for the quietest experience.
Variations
- - Kies bij regen voor een huifsloep of overdekte fluisterboot.
- - Vraag een schipper mee als het je eerste keer is op deze plassen.
- - Verleng later in de week tot een hele dag voor een langere lus via Blokzijl.
- - Combineer met een wandeling in de Weerribben na het inleveren van de sloep.
- - Plan een avondblok in de zomer voor zacht licht boven het riet.
Atmosphere
by PlayTryBe team