Renting a boat in Amsterdam is one of the best ways to explore the city’s famous canals on your own terms. Unlike a canal cruise, a boat rental in Amsterdam gives you the freedom to steer yourself, set your own route, and decide how long you want to be on the water. Whether you’re planning a short afternoon ride, an evening on the canals, or a special occasion with friends, renting a boat in Amsterdam offers a private and flexible alternative to organized tours.
Most options are small boat rentals in Amsterdam, designed for groups of 2 to 8 people. These boats are safe, stable, and easy to operate - no license required. Many are electric, making them quiet, eco-friendly, and allowed throughout the city center’s historic waterways. This means anyone can enjoy a self-drive boat rental in Amsterdam, whether it’s your first time behind the wheel of a boat or not.
A boat hire in Amsterdam is perfect for a wide range of occasions. Couples often choose a small, private boat for a romantic evening ride, while groups of friends or families rent a larger one for birthdays, picnics, or simply a fun afternoon together. Some companies even allow you to bring your own drinks and snacks, making it easy to turn your outing into a casual floating picnic. Just keep in mind that BBQs are not allowed on rental boats in Amsterdam.
Flexibility is another major advantage. You can choose a short boat rental in Amsterdam for 1 or 2 hours if you just want a quick experience, or book a longer slot for half a day to explore more of the waterways. Options like last-minute self-drive boats in Amsterdam also make it easy to get out on the water the same day, especially during the busy summer months.
From the Jordaan to the Nine Streets, from the Amstel River to the historic Prinsengracht, a canal boat rental in Amsterdam lets you see the city from its most beautiful perspective. Whether it’s a sunny afternoon, a sunset ride, or even a winter day with blankets on board, exploring by your own boat is one of the most authentic and memorable Amsterdam experiences.

What Kind of Boats Can You Rent in Amsterdam?

Most self-drive boats in Amsterdam are compact and designed for easy handling. Sizes range from 2-person romantic boats to sturdier options for 6 to 12 people, ideal for families or groups of friends. All are built to be stable, safe, and suitable for the narrow canals. Most are electric boats, quiet, eco-friendly, and license-free. These are the most common choices for exploring the canals. When traveling with kids make sure you check with the renting company if child vests are needed and included. You don’t need any previous boating experience. These are easy-to-drive boat rentals and safety instructions provided before departure.

How Long Can You Rent a Boat For?

Flexibility is a big advantage of renting a boat in Amsterdam, Options include:

1 hour boat rental in Amsterdam – great for a quick taste of the canals.

90-minute or 2-hour self-drive boats – the most popular choice, enough time to explore central canals and enjoy a drink.

3-hour boat rental in Amsterdam – ideal if you want to stop for photos, snacks, or see more neighborhoods.

Half-day boat hire – gives you time to cruise further, for example, along the Amstel River.

Many companies also offer last-minute boat rentals in Amsterdam, making it possible to book online or at the dock even on the same day.  

Where to rent a boat

Boaty Rent a Boat

Electric small open boats for up to 6 people, licence-free; includes instruction, map, life-jackets. Or private tours with a skipper. 

Website: Amsterdamrentaboat.com 

Phone: +31 20 261 7061 

Opening hours: 

Open 7 days a week from mid-March to mid-October; 

earliest departure 09:00, 

latest return ~½-hour before sunset.

Prices:

Morning rate 3 hours is €89,-

Afternoons/evenings 3h for €99,-
4h morning rate €114,-
evening €124,-

Location:

(Location information)

Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072 LH Amsterdam

Jozef Israelskade / Okura area, southern side of city center 

Google maps. 

 

Canal Motorboats

Electric, license-free boats for up to 8 people, or tour boats.

Website: canalmotorboats.com

Phone: +31 20 422 7007 

Opening hours: Daily, all year round, 10:00–22:00. 

Price for boat rental:

Super Deal: 2 hours (Mon to Fri) € 80

2 hours (Saturday & Sunday) € 100

3 hours € 150

4 hours € 200

5 hours € 250

6 hours € 300

Price for 1H Cruise 

Adults € 19.50

Children € 9.75

Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 kids) € 55

Locations / Areas: Multiple docks

Zandhoek 22, 1013 KT Amsterdam (main dock)

Westerdoksdijk 705, 1013 BX Amsterdam

Nassaukade 341, 1053 LZ Amsterdam

Polonceaukade 20, 1014 DA Amsterdam

Borneosteiger 8, 1019 KM Amsterdam

Eco Boats Amsterdam

Electric, license-free, self-drive boats up to 12 people. Multiple boat sizes/types; dogs/pets allowed at self-drive locations. Also provides public and private tours with skipper.

Website: Eco Boats Amsterdam

Phone: +31 20 308 6656  

Opening hours: 10:00–22:00 daily, year-round.

Rates per hour:

Amstel Boat – 7 people – Amsterdam East € 50

Prinsen Boat – 8 people – Amsterdam Centre € 50

Heren Boat – 10 people – Amsterdam East € 60

Keizers Boat – 12 people – Amsterdam Centre € 60

Locations:

Amsterdam Centre: Zandhoek 22, 1013 KT Amsterdam 

Amsterdam East: Daniël Goedkoopstraat 1, 1096 BD Amsterdam 

Additional boarding for tours: Stationsplein 18, 1012 AB Amsterdam (for canal cruise tours) 

Google Maps address

Directions to Eco Boats Amsterdam

Mokumboot Electric, license-free. Minimum 2h, deposit typically required. No amplified music .Maximum 6 people. Own food and drinks allowed. 

• • • Website: Mokumboot.nl
    • Phone: +31 20 210 5700
    • Opening hours / Season Notes: 
      • boating season March 18 – October 8
      • regular hours 09:00 until half-hour before sunset. 
    • Price:
      • Sail yourself from €97.50 / 2h  
    • Location:
      • Mauritskade 1E (Amstel area)
      • Google Maps address

  Sloepdelen Boats up to 12 people, electric, license-free

• • • Website: Sloepdelen.nl 
    • Phone: +31 20 419 1007
    • Price: 
      • €145 for 4 hours of sailing. This offer is not valid on weekends, holidays and events. Check date restrictions for the Summer Deal.
    • Location:
      • Mauritskade 3, Amsterdam 
      • Nassaukade 69, Amsterdam
      • Google Maps address

  Boats4rent (Westerpark / West) Small self-drive boats for up to 6 people. 

• • • Website: amsterdamcanalboatrental.com 
    • Phone: +31 20 700 9377
    • Opening hours: Season March 18 – October 8; from 09:00 until ~½ hour before sunset. 
    • Prices: 
      • early departures (09:00 - 12:00) 
        • 2h €79 - €89, 
        • 3h €89 - €99.
      • Departure after 12
        • 2 hours of sailing €89 (or €79*)
        • 3 hours of sailing €99 (or €89*)
      • Reserve on website
    • Location / Area: 
      • Polonceaukade 2, Westerpark / West Amsterdam
      • Google Maps address

Prices overview

Costs vary depending on size, season, and duration:

Self-drive electric canal boat (small group)	Price per hour: from €50/hour (Eco Boats) 2 or 3-hour rentals: 2 hours: €100 (Canal Motorboats) 3 hours: €89 (Boaty Rent a Boat) Half-day hire: typically €114 for 4 hours (Boaty)
Basic open electric boat (6–12 persons)	Price per hour: from €60/hour (Sloepdelen) 2 or 3-hour rentals: 3 hours: €89 (Boaty) 4 hours: €114 (Boaty) Half-day hire: ~€114–€140, depending on operator and boat size
Private luxury boat with skipper	Price per hour: from €250/hour (Amsterdam Private Boat) 2 or 3-hour rentals: 2 hours: €300–€350+ (Pure Boats, Amsterdam Private Boat) 3 hours: €450–€600+ depending on boat and inclusions Half-day hire: Not listed, but typical market range is €700–€1,000+
Large group / event boat (20–55 persons)	Price per hour: from €335/hour (Stromma Amsterdam) 2 or 3-hour rentals: Most operators quote custom packages Half-day hire: typically €900–€1,500+ depending on group size, season, and catering

Look out for Amsterdam boat rental deals or student discounts. Many companies also offer promotions if you book a small boat in Amsterdam online in advance.  

Popular Starting Points

Boat rentals are available across the city. Popular starting points include:

• • • Amsterdam Center & Centrum boat hire – close to Dam Square, Jordaan, and the Nine Streets.
    • Prinsengracht, Herengracht, Keizersgracht – easy access to the UNESCO-listed canal belt.
    • De Pijp and Oud-West – lively neighborhoods with convenient starting docks.
    • Amsterdam Oost & Eastern Docklands – quieter waters and wider canals.
    • Amstel River boat rentals – a longer route outside the busy canal belt.

Wherever you start, you’ll find routes suitable for 1–3 hour rentals, and some companies even suggest the best route for self-drive boats in Amsterdam.

Special Occasions on the Canals

Romantic boat rental Amsterdam

• • • Simple 90-minute loop: Start near the Jordaan, cruise Prinsengracht → 9 Straatjes → Herengracht → Reguliersgracht → Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) → Amstel → back via Keizersgracht. Time it for golden hour. This route stays within slow, photogenic canals and passes classic bridges.
    • Practical touches: Bring a soft cooler, plastic or metal cups, and blankets. The skipper must stay sober (legal limit 0.5‰). Passengers can drink, but nuisance is enforced. Amplified music is not allowed on Amsterdam’s canals.
    • Photo stops: Magere Brug, Reguliersgracht’s “Seven Bridges”, Anne Frank House facade from Prinsengracht.

Birthday small boat rental Amsterdam

• • • 2-hour “canal belt taster”: From Nassaukade head, Brouwersgracht → Prinsengracht → 9 Straatjes → Keizersgracht → Leliegracht → back. Compact, scenic, and avoids the IJ or harbor areas that are off limits to license-free rentals.
    • Food and drinks: Many self-drive firms let you bring your own snacks and drinks. Nominate a designated sober skipper. No speakers – music is prohibited on the canals, and fines are issued.
    • Gear list: soft cooler, ice packs, reusable cups, trash bags. Leave confetti or BBQs at home. Keep the boat tidy to avoid cleaning charges.

Bachelor party boat rental Amsterdam

• • • If everyone wants to drink: Book a captained boat so no one has to be the sober skipper. Operators will enforce no amplified music, and nuisance rules still apply.
    • Self-drive option with restraint: Split into small groups on multiple self-drive boats, cruise the Prinsengracht loop, and stick to calm canals. No speakers, keep it respectful near houseboats. Bring a cooler and plan restroom breaks on shore.

Booking & Timing Tips

• • • Book ahead in the high season (April – September) and on sunny weekends. Same-day slots are often fine on weekdays or after 4 p.m.
    • Earlier is calmer. 10:00 – 12:00 is usually the quietest; 13:00 – 16:00 is peak traffic; evenings are scenic, but watch return cut-off times.
    • Choose your dock for the route you want. Starting near Jordaan/Prinsengracht suits “canal belt loops”; Oost/Amstel docks suit Amstel River cruising.
    • Time slots are strict. Most operators charge a late-return fee per 15 minutes. Plan a 10–15 minute buffer.

What to Bring (and what not)

• • • Soft cooler, reusable cups, water, snacks, paper towels, and bin bags.
    • Warm layer even in summer; it can be breezy on open water.
    • Phone with battery (for the map) + power bank.
    • No BBQs, no confetti, no glass if your operator forbids it.
    • Optional: light blanket for evening, hat/sunscreen for midday.

Safety & Rules - Quick Checklist

• • • Speed: 6 km/h in the canals. Some larger waterways allow 7.5 km/h, but beginners should keep it slow. Keep right and give way to professional vessels.
    • Priority: Work boats, tour boats, and municipal vessels have the right of way. Never cut across their bow.
    • Bridges: Keep to the starboard side under bridges; wait if you can’t see through. Duck for low arches.
    • Alcohol: The person at the helm must be sober (0.5‰ limit). Passengers may drink without a set limit, but nuisance is policed, and insurance may be void if the skipper is over the limit.
    • Music: Amplified music is not allowed on the canals. Expect enforcement and possible fines.
    • Restricted waters: Self-drive rental boats are not allowed on the IJ or the open harbor front. Some rentals also restrict specific canals. Follow your operator’s map for any extra no-go zones.
    • Life jackets: Available on request; children should wear them at all times.
    • No license needed: All standard rental boats are license-free
    • BBQ not allowed: For safety reasons, barbecues are not permitted.
    • Nightfall: Return before your operator’s daylight cutoff unless your boat has nav lights and night use is permitted in your contract.
    • Age limit: Most companies require the captain to be at least 18 years old.
    • Deposits & cancellations: Expect a refundable deposit. Cancellation policies vary, so check before booking.

Mooring, Stops & Toilets

• • • Short stops: You can briefly tie up at public mooring rings if you’re not blocking bridges, houseboat entrances, or corners. Never moor to houseboats.
    • Cafés: Many waterside cafés allow a short tie-up if you’re a customer; ask staff first.
    • Toilets: Use cafés, bars, or public WCs along main canals (mark a few on your map before departure).
    • Swim policy: Don’t swim from rental boats in the canals.

Weather, Cancellations & Damage

• • • Light rain happens. Most outfits run as normal and provide a canopy or ponchos; “bad weather” cancellations usually mean sustained heavy rain, wind, or storm warnings.
    • Deposit: Expect a refundable damage deposit or card pre-auth. Photograph any scuffs before you leave.
    • Damage: Report immediately by phone; returning late to avoid a scratch fee makes it worse.

Navigation Basics (first-timers)

• • • Corners: Go slow and wide. Assume traffic is coming the other way.
    • Overtaking: Only when safe and without forcing others to the wall.
    • Junctions: Look both ways, yield to larger vessels, and avoid sudden turns.
    • Traffic “feel”: If tour boats are bunching up behind you, pull right, let them pass, then continue.

Events That Affect Boating

• • • King’s Day (27 April), Canal Pride weekend, major city events: bookings limited or special rules; some canals close or have one-way traffic.
    • Amsterdam Light Festival (winter): spectacular but busy evenings; check if your operator allows night cruising and whether special routes apply.

Accessibility & Comfort

• • • Many docks have a small step down; ask for boats with easy boarding or a more stable beam if mobility is a concern.
    • Covered/canopy boats help in spring/autumn. In winter, bring gloves and a blanket; electric boats are quiet but not heated.

Insurance & Taxes (what you’ll see on the receipt)

• • • Expect a per-person city/water tourism tax line on top of the base rate (varies by year and operator).
    • Base price often excludes cleaning and late-return fees; check the summary before you confirm.

Self-Drive Sample Routes

1-Hour “Canal Belt Taster”

• • • Prinsengracht → 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets) → Keizersgracht → Leliegracht → back.
    • Why: Classic facades, calm water, easy navigation, minimal junctions.

90-Minute Romantic Loop (Golden Hour)

• • • Start Jordaan → Prinsengracht → Herengracht → Reguliersgracht (Seven Bridges view) → Magere Brug on the Amstel → Keizersgracht return.
    • Tips: Pause for photos at Reguliersgracht alignment and the Skinny Bridge.

2-Hour “Icons Without Stress”

• • • Brouwersgracht → Prinsengracht → Anne Frank House façade view (from the water) → 9 Straatjes → Herengracht → Amstel (brief) → back via Keizersgracht.
    • Why: Hits the big sights while staying off the harbor and broader water.

3-Hour “Amstel Meander”

• • • Canal belt → Turn onto the Amstel heading south → cruise past Blauwbrug and Theater Carré → quiet stretch toward Amstel lock area → return via Keizersgracht.
    • Why: More open views, fewer boats, great for picnics.

Half-Day “Two Worlds”

• • • Late morning: Canal belt loop and photo stops.
    • Break: Moor at a café (ask permission) or a public ring near Amstelveld.
    • Afternoon: Follow the Amstel south for greenery and wider water, then back before the slot ends.

Quick Operator Comparison Notes (use alongside your snapshots)

• • • Starting dock matters:
      • West/Jordaan/Westerpark – instant canal-belt access, pretty scenery, easy 2-hour loops.
      • Center/Zandhoek/Harbor edge – scenic but mind the border with the IJ; follow the map carefully.
      • Amstel/De Pijp/Oost – wider water, calmer traffic, nice for 3-hour cruises.
    • Fees to watch: cleaning, late return, fuel/charge (usually included for electric), city tax, and optional insurance.

Pre-Departure 5-Minute Brief (use this with your group)

• 1. Map check: show the no-go zones and your intended loop.
  2. Role split: skipper steers, one spotter up front for bridges, one watches traffic behind.
  3. Rules recap: 6 km/h, keep right, no speakers, skipper sober.
  4. Safety: jackets location, phone charged, rope ready, fenders out on starboard.
  5. Time: Set an alarm to turn back with a 20-minute buffer.