Sailing ship rental Enkhuizen - 14 sailing ships

Where Herring Ships Once Sailed, Your Adventure Begins

Enkhuizen sits at a crossroads of water and history on the eastern shore of the North Holland peninsula. This charming Dutch city lies at the meeting point of two remarkable bodies of water: the IJsselmeer to the north and the Markermeer to the south. With a population of approximately 18,900 inhabitants, this compact town packs centuries of maritime heritage into cobblestone streets and historic harbours.

Positioned along the northern shore of the Markermeer and close to the IJsselmeer, Enkhuizen developed as one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age. Today, the city has transformed into what many call a "water lovers' paradise" where boats abound and every second street seems to be a canal.

The Waters That Shaped a Nation

The IJsselmeer is the largest lake in the Netherlands, yet it was not always a lake. Until 1932, the saltwater Zuiderzee filled this bay, opening out into the North Sea and serving as a fishing route for numerous villages. When the 32-kilometre Afsluitdijk dam was constructed, the sea transformed into a freshwater lake.

Today, the Houtribdijk separates the southern Markermeer from the northern IJsselmeer. Enkhuizen lies directly on both bodies of water, making it ideal both as a starting point and destination for sailing adventures. The town is central to the IJsselmeer with a large number of destinations within a day's sailing distance.

Enkhuizen enjoys a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers averaging between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius from June to August. Winters are generally mild, with daytime temperatures in January around 6 degrees Celsius. The large water bodies help moderate temperature extremes, creating pleasant conditions for sailing throughout the warmer months.

Why Sailing From Enkhuizen Makes Sense

• Direct access to both the IJsselmeer and Markermeer without navigating locks between them
• Central position means shorter sailing distances to multiple historic harbour towns
• One of the largest marina facilities in the Netherlands with over 700 berths at Compagnieshaven alone
• Easy navigation with well-buoyed approaches and leading lights on the IJsselmeer side
• Multiple harbours within the town, each offering different atmospheres

Harbours to Moor At: From Bustling to Serene

When sailing in and around Enkhuizen, you have an impressive selection of harbours where the most diverse harbour activities take place. Each offers a different character for your stay.

Within Enkhuizen

Compagnieshaven is a modern marina adjacent to the Zuiderzee Museum and only a two-minute walk from the city centre. This private marina offers 700 berths with full service. Around 18,000 ships moor in this port every year.

Buyshaven is the second harbour of the Royal Dutch Sailing and Rowing Association. It is a quiet, sheltered and beautifully situated harbour. Watersports enthusiasts who love space, greenery and a friendly atmosphere are right at home here. There is a lot of grass around the harbour which is perfect for children and dogs.

Municipal Harbours (Gemeentelijke Havens) include the Buitenhaven, Oude Haven and Oosterhaven. Located near the train station, VVV tourist office and the famous Drommedaris tower, these moorings place you in the heart of the action. From your boat you step almost directly into the old centre of Enkhuizen.

Day Sail Destinations

Medemblik lies approximately one hour of sailing from Enkhuizen. Most ships moor opposite the pretty Radboud Castle. You can visit the Dutch Steam Engine Museum or stroll through the Nieuwstraat shopping street.

Hoorn is about 1.5 hours sail away. Even from a distance you can see the Hoofdtoren, the main tower. This historic VOC town offers numerous maritime attractions.

Stavoren is an old Hanseatic town with an authentic city centre full of beautiful monumental buildings. The town has just 960 residents and offers charming colourful houses directly at the harbour.

Urk was once an island and its people still see Urk as an island. Everything is a bit different here, with fresh fish available straight from the boats and a distinctive lighthouse to visit.

Marker Wadden is an entirely artificial archipelago of islands in the northeast corner of the Markermeer, roughly 21 miles northeast of Amsterdam. This nature reserve can only be reached by boat. The largest island has a harbour with berths for around 100 yachts, watchtowers, hiking trails and beaches where you can swim.

Beyond the Usual Recommendations: Five Experiences Worth Seeking Out

1. Sail the Historic Triangle by Steam and Water

One of the most memorable ways to experience this region combines different modes of transport. The ship "Friesland" sails between Enkhuizen and Medemblik along the beautiful coast of Westfriesland. Between Medemblik and Hoorn, you can ride a steam streetcar across the countryside past tulip fields and historic station buildings. This combination creates a journey through time that most visitors overlook.

2. Explore De Weelen Nature Reserve by Small Boat

De Weelen is a 350-hectare nature reserve located between Andijk and Enkhuizen in the Grootslag polder. The existing sailing routes in Westfriesland are easily navigable for canoes and smaller craft. A Historical Boating Map has been created by heritage associations to help you discover how West Frisian farmers sailed daily with their barges through ditches to their scattered fields.

3. Witness the Ships in Bottles at the Flessenscheepjesmuseum

Tucked away in a special house known as the "spider house," you will find more than 1,000 fully rigged ships in glass bottles. This quirky museum offers a different perspective on maritime craftsmanship that connects to the sailing traditions still alive in Enkhuizen today.

4. Visit De Ven Lighthouse

The characteristic De Ven lighthouse is a white square lighthouse built of bricks between 1699 and 1700, making it one of the oldest in the Netherlands. This lighthouse was built alongside the Paard van Marken to lead skippers safely from the Wadden Sea to Amsterdam. Sailing past it connects you to over three centuries of maritime navigation.

5. Discover De Librije in the Westerkerk

The 17th-century city library in the Westerkerk is the only one of its kind that has been preserved at its original location in the Netherlands. This overlooked treasure reveals how knowledge was safeguarded in a trading port where many could not read or write.

The Golden Age Lives On

Enkhuizen was one of the main operational bases of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). In the 17th century, also known as the Golden Century, this was the richest and most powerful town on the Zuiderzee. The Frisian VOC coin was struck here, and the town was famous for its nautical chart draughtsmen.

This maritime heritage remains visible today. The Peperhuis is a 17th-century warehouse originally used by the VOC for storing spices. The Drommedaris Tower from 1540 and the Zuiderkerk with its carillon of 48 bells still overlook the harbour. The city's architectural heritage includes over 360 national heritage sites, historic churches, defensive structures and traditional merchant houses.

The Zuiderzee Museum combines an indoor collection with an open-air museum featuring relocated buildings and demonstrations of traditional crafts. Within the reconstructed fishing village, you can find an eel smokehouse, see how clogs are made and watch artisans mending fishing nets just as they did centuries ago.

The Brown Fleet: Traditional Sailing at Its Finest

The "brown fleet" is a collective term for original 19th century ships, mostly with brown sails. These former sailing cargo or fishing vessels have been beautifully restored. Botters, cutters, lemsteraken, clippers and tjalks are just a sampling of the ship types sailing from Enkhuizen today.

Holland Sail was founded by more than 20 owners of traditional sailing ships who cherish vessels that have often been in service for more than a century. From a day sailing on the IJsselmeer to several weeks heading towards the Baltic Sea, everything is possible. Traditional sailing ships regularly visit harbours throughout the region, and their majestic rigs are seen all around the IJsselmeer.

Sailing Conditions and Practical Considerations

Enkhuizen is easy to navigate, with a well-buoyed approach and leading lights on the IJsselmeer side. However, you should be careful on the Enkhuizerzand, as it is shallow both to the north and south of the locks outside the fairways.

Due to the IJsselmeer's geographical history, sailing conditions can sometimes be challenging. The seabed is the same as it was a thousand years ago, and the varied topography combining deep areas with shallow sections means the wind can greatly affect the swell. Short swells are particularly common and occasionally the waters can become rough. Checking weather forecasts before setting out is essential.

From Enkhuizen, you can sail to the Wadden Islands, the Markermeer, Amsterdam or the Frisian lakes in a relatively short space of time. The shallow water at Enkhuizerzand is actually a perfect place for learning to sail, with the beach area extremely suitable for children due to its gentle depths.

When the Wind Keeps You in Harbour

Strong winds need not dampen your holiday. When conditions are less suitable for sailing, Enkhuizen offers plenty to explore on foot. Walk along the former city walls to see gates like the Koepoort (Cow Gate) and discover a countryside landscape beyond. The Westerstraat offers independent boutiques, specialty shops and local retailers.

The city hosts markets and maritime festivals throughout the year. The traditional clipper race takes place from Enkhuizen in October. Snouck van Loosen Park, an impressive 19th-century social housing project, offers peaceful green spaces to explore. For evening entertainment, visit Brouwerij De Werf for locally brewed beer in an atmospheric setting.

Book a sailing ship now and let the wind carry you across waters that once made this small Dutch town one of the most important maritime centres in the world.