Waterways

Almere has many beautiful places and from the water you will spontaneously fall in love with the youngest city in the Netherlands. You have several opportunities to sail with our sloops, where among other things you will encounter a number of locks that you will have to operate yourself. The ultimate nautical experience is with us!

Start: De Kapitein Almere (Noorderplassen West) Boelijn 70

Route 1

From the Noorderplassen you sail past beautiful waterfront houses towards the Beatrixpark, where you encounter a self-service lock . Beatrix Park is one of the city parks and has a fairytale setting, with large trees and a special gateway in the middle of the water. In the park, you can moor the boat to the long dock for a while if you want. The waterway takes you by itself along the Den Uylpark, where you sail right into the center of the city. Via the Olstgracht you come to the Weerwater.

The Weerwater owes its name to the former Zuiderzee, after the reclamation of the polder a lot of sand was excavated for the construction of the first residential areas in Almere, creating a lake. So because water had reappeared here, it received that name.

From the Weerwater you can see the skyline of Almere very well. Almere has a lot of modern architecture and several award-winning buildings can be found in Almere Centrum. You sail on the Weerwater, pass the grounds of Floriade 2022 and sail straight ahead towards the castle. Here you encounter another self-service lock. Once you’re through the lock, turn left(port side) and you’ll pass a whole street of houseboats. At the end of the waterway, turn left again to end up on the Hoge Vaart. You sail all the way out of this one, until you reach the campsite. At one of the second red bridges you sail up the Noorderplassen again. Behind camping Waterhout you have on your right an incredibly beautiful nature reserve, which you can only reach by boat. This will complete your day on the water. You sail across the Noorderplassen back to the dock.

Route 2 & 3

From the Noorderplassen you sail past beautiful waterfront houses towards the Beatrixpark, where you encounter a self-service lock . Beatrix Park is one of the city parks and has a fairytale setting, with large trees and a special gateway in the middle of the water. In the park, you can moor the boat to the long dock for a while if you want. The waterway takes you by itself along the Den Uylpark, where you sail right into the center of the city. Via the Olstgracht you come to the Weerwater.

The Weerwater owes its name to the former Zuiderzee, after the reclamation of the polder a lot of sand was excavated for the construction of the first residential areas in Almere, creating a lake. So because water had reappeared here, it received that name.

From the Weerwater you can see the skyline of Almere very well. Almere has a lot of modern architecture and several award-winning buildings can be found in Almere Centrum. Unlike route 1, you do not sail straight across the Weerwater, but all the way past the center and end up on the Leeghwaterplas via a narrow waterway. Here you can choose to go through the lock again and sail to the left on the Hoge Vaart or go through the residential area to the Noorderplassen.

Route 4

Stay on the Noorderplassen and sail to one of the islands, put your boat on the dock there and enjoy the surroundings. Cruise between the waterfront houses and explore the Noorderplassen. Stop the boat at a dock and enjoy the nice weather, take a dip and cool off on a hot summer day.

Operation of locks

There are several self-service locks that you may encounter as you cruise around Almere. A short tutorial on how to use them:

  • When you arrive you first look at the lights; if they are on green/red you press the black/yellow button;
  • The bells are ringing;
  • When the lock doors open, wait until the light is green to enter the lock;
  • Everyone is in the lock, in the lock press the black/yellow button again so the doors will close;
  • Wait until the doors open in front of you and the light is green;
  • You can sail on again.
GET OUT ON THE WATER!

Discover Almere from the water with a tender