Because of allergies, pets are not allowed on board.

Can I moor for free in Friesland?

Yes. Friesland has many free mooring places operated by Marrekrite, where you can moor your motor yacht at no charge. These mooring places are often located in the middle of nature and are ideal if you want to spend the night peacefully by the water. You can order a Marrekrite flag directly with your booking at HW Yachtcharter. This allows you to use the free Marrekrite mooring places during your stay. At a regular Marrekrite mooring place, you can stay for a maximum of three days at the same location. You can also make use of marinas and visitor harbours. These usually charge a mooring fee, but often provide facilities such as shore power, sanitary facilities and water. Mooring at marinas during the day is generally free. Some harbours charge a small fee for daytime mooring. At most harbours, a mooring fee applies from 4:00 pm onwards.

Can I sail on the IJsselmeer with a motor yacht?

With several motor yachts from HW Yachtcharter, it is possible to sail on the IJsselmeer in winds of up to force 4 Bft. However, prior permission from HW Yachtcharter is required. The IJsselmeer requires more experience and preparation than the sheltered Frisian inland waterways. Wind, waves and weather conditions have a greater influence on boating. We therefore assess in advance whether your experience and the conditions are suitable. Would you like to sail from Friesland towards Enkhuizen during your boating holiday, for example? Please discuss this with us in advance so that we can assess together what is possible.

How do bridges and locks work in Friesland?

Almost all bridges and locks in Friesland are operated daily during the boating season. More and more bridges are operated remotely, which means you can often simply continue once the bridge operator has seen your boat on the camera. In 2027, the official boating season in Friesland runs from 22 March through 31 October. Always check the current operating times and any closures along the way. When planning your route, also take into account the clearance height of your motor yacht.

How many kilometres or hours can you travel per day?

For a relaxing boating holiday, we generally recommend cruising for around 3 to 5 hours per day. The number of kilometres you cover depends on the route, your cruising speed and the number of bridges and locks along the way. Try not to cover as many kilometres as possible. The real appeal of a boating holiday lies in the variety of cruising, mooring, visiting villages and enjoying the Frisian lakes. For a one-week holiday, we therefore recommend choosing a route that leaves enough time to stay longer somewhere along the way spontaneously–> Sailingroutes

How much does it cost to rent a motor yacht in Friesland?

The price of renting a motor yacht in Friesland depends on the type of motor yacht, the rental period, the season and the number of people. A smaller motor yacht for two people is more affordable than a spacious yacht with multiple cabins and bathrooms for a larger group. On our search and booking page, you can enter your preferred arrival and departure dates and the number of people. You will then immediately see which motor yachts are available for your chosen period and what the rental price is. Please also take into account any additional costs, such as fuel, harbour fees and selected extras.

← All cruising routes

7-DAY CRUISING ROUTE

Friesland Route

Discover the very best of **Friesland** on a relaxing boating holiday through its beautiful lakes, peaceful waterways and picturesque villages. Cruise through…

7 days124 km± 16 hrs cruisingGrou → Grou

No licence requiredRelaxed1 locks26 bridges

Cruise this route →

The route

Your cruising route through Friesland

Discover the very best of **Friesland** on a relaxing boating holiday through its beautiful lakes, peaceful waterways and picturesque villages. Cruise through the heart of the Frisian lake district, explore historic towns from the famous Eleven Cities and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of traditional waterside harbours. Along the way, you’ll find charming streets, inviting terraces and plenty of opportunities to stop and explore ashore. With beautiful scenery and the freedom…

Eernewoude
Joure
Woudsend
Lemmer
Sneek
Grou

Route map

The itinerary at a glance

Use the map as a visual guide. The exact day-to-day route stays flexible and depends on weather, pace and your stops along the way.

Itinerary

Day by day on the water

Day 1

From Grou to Eernewoude

± 3.0 u ± 22 km 3 bridges 1 locks

A relaxed first day to get familiar with your motor yacht. Cruise across the Pikmeer towards **Earnewâld**, enjoying the peaceful waterways along the way. The Pikmeer is easy to navigate and ideal for families with children. The picturesque village of Earnewâld, situated on the Eernewoude Meer, is the perfect place to spend your first night.

Overnight stay: Eernewoude

Day 2

From Eernewoude to Akkrum

± 2.0 u ± 16 km 3 bridges

Cruise via the Eernewoude Meer and the River Boorne towards **Akkrum**. This varied route takes you through typical Frisian polder landscapes, past reed beds and charming little villages. In Akkrum, you’ll find an excellent marina with a terrace, perfect for a relaxing stop.

Overnight stay: Akkrum

Day 3

From Akkrum to Joure

± 1.5 u ± 14 km 1 bridges

Cruise along the River Boorne and across the Frisian lakes to **Joure**, known for its coffee-making heritage and traditional clockmaking. Explore the historic town centre and enjoy a cup of coffee on the market square.

Overnight stay: Joure

Day 4

From Joure to Lemmer

± 3.0 u ± 25 km 7 bridges

Today’s route takes you across the Tjeukemeer to **Lemmer**. Please note that winds of force 4 or above can create waves on the lake, so consider taking the sheltered inland route in stronger winds. Lemmer is a lively harbour town with excellent facilities and beautiful views over the IJsselmeer.

Overnight stay: Lemmer

Day 5

From Lemmer to Woudsend

± 2.0 u ± 17 km 5 bridges

Cruise across the Frisian lakes to **Woudsend**, a picturesque village known for its charming streets and annual bridge festival. Along the way, you’ll cross parts of the Slotermeer and Heegermeer, enjoying beautiful views of the Frisian waterways.

Overnight stay: Woudsend

Day 6

From Woudsend to Sneek

± 2.0 u ± 15 km 5 bridges

Cruise across the Sneekermeer to **Sneek**, a lively city known for its waterways. The lake is one of Friesland’s largest and offers beautiful views, but be sure to keep an eye on the wind conditions. In Sneek, don’t miss the famous Waterpoort, the Martinikerk and the cosy cafés around the harbour.

Overnight stay: Sneek

Day 7

From Sneek back to Grou

± 2.0 u ± 16 km 2 bridges

On your final day, enjoy a scenic cruise across the Sneekermeer and Pikmeer back to **Grou**. You’ve spent a wonderful week discovering some of the most beautiful places in Friesland. We hope to welcome you back on board next year!

Overnight stay: Grou

Cruise this route yourself

When would you like to explore Friesland?

Choose your travel dates and party size. We will then show suitable available motor yachts for this itinerary.

Plan your boating holiday

Travel period

Travel party 2 guests