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deDiscover Friesland from the Water – Start Your Journey in Woudsend
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced sailor, Friesland—the water sports province of the Netherlands—offers an unparalleled experience. With its expansive lakes, canals and picturesque villages, Friesland presents countless beautiful spots to explore by boat. Sailing here is a unique adventure for all water enthusiasts.
Explore Historic Villages, Tranquil Nature and Vibrant Water Sports Centers
Friesland caters to all preferences, whether you’re interested in historic towns, serene natural areas, or lively water sports hubs. The Frisian Lakes are easy to navigate and routes can be adjusted effortlessly, allowing you to visit more or fewer towns as desired. Ample mooring spots are available throughout the region, ensuring a worry-free journey.
Plan Your Route Along the Eleven Cities and Charming Destinations
Discover some of the renowned Eleven Cities and visit vibrant water sports towns such as Lemmer, Joure, Sneek, Bolsward, Sloten, Koudum, Heeg and Workum. Friesland boasts well-equipped guest harbors with modern facilities. Additionally, numerous free mooring spots in nature are managed by the Marrekrite.
Begin Your Boating Adventure from Woudsend
Our marina in Woudsend serves as the perfect starting point for a relaxing boating holiday in Friesland. From here, you can explore the province uniquely—from the water—aboard a Klompmaker Kotter yacht, a motor yacht from De Drait, or a Campi Houseboat.
Woudsend is a true water sports village, uniquely situated between the Heegermeer and Slotermeer lakes and directly on the Eleven Cities route. This historic trading village, with its two windmills, narrow alleys and historic buildings, has preserved its old-world charm and is well worth a visit. You’ll find cozy restaurants with terraces by the water. Thanks to its central location, Woudsend is an ideal base for an unforgettable boating holiday.
Planning a longer boating holiday? From Woudsend, you can explore not only Friesland but also other northern provinces of the Netherlands, such as Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland and North Holland. Woudsend provides easy access to places like Workum, Stavoren and Lemmer, from where you can sail across the IJsselmeer towards North Holland and even Amsterdam. Prefer nature? Head toward Weerribben-Wieden National Park in Overijssel for a tranquil escape.
Yachtcharter Klompmaker
Since November 1, 2021, the Klompmaker Kotter yachts from Yachtcharter Klompmaker have been part of the Yachtcharter De Drait fleet. These yachts, accommodating 2 to 8 people, are fully equipped and available for rent from our marina in Woudsend.
Sailing Routes in Friesland
Curious about the destinations you can visit after renting a boat with us? Friesland offers a diverse range of attractions, making it impossible to see everything in one trip. Therefore, we’ve curated various sailing routes tailored to your group and interests—whether you’re into culture, nature, or traveling with children.
Click here for the most beautiful sailing routes from Woudsend!
New to Boating? Book a Skipper Training
Even if you’ve never sailed before, there’s no need to worry when renting a boat from Yachtcharter De Drait in Friesland. You’ll be navigating an ideal area for beginner water sports enthusiasts. The numerous lakes and canals connecting towns and cities are free from strong currents or locks. Moreover, Friesland offers extensive bridge operating hours. All our boats can be operated without a license. To get you started, we offer skipper training before departure.
Overnight in Nature? Choose Marrekrite
Want to sail across the Frisian Lakes and spend the night in nature? Moor at a Marrekrite spot. Interested in learning more about these unique locations? Read our blog: What is a Marrekrite mooring spot?
Experience the Eleven Cities Tour by Boat
The Eleven Cities Tour is a legendary ice-skating event, but did you know you can also navigate this route by boat? We’ve developed various routes so you can experience the Frisian Eleven Cities uniquely—from the water.
Bridges and Locks
During your boating holiday in Friesland, you’ll encounter several movable bridges and a few locks. Always consider the clearance height and draft of your boat when planning your route. If a bridge is too low, passage might not be possible. Many bridges are movable and operated remotely. You can find the current opening times in Friesland here.
Winter Boating in Friesland
Boating isn’t just for summer! While boating often evokes images of sunny days, a winter voyage offers a completely different, serene experience. Enjoy the tranquility on the water and the crisp, clear skies. Want to know more? Read further about winter boating in Friesland here.
More Information About Boating in Friesland:
- Boating routes in Friesland – Woudsend
- Boating without a license
- Follow a skipper training
- From our blog:
- General practical info about renting a boat
- Planning a boating trip in Friesland during the winter