Sailing ship rental Lelystad - 1 sailing ship

A City That Should Not Exist: Welcome to Lelystad

Picture this: you are standing on land that was once the seabed of the Zuiderzee, three metres below sea level, in a city that only came into existence in 1967. Lelystad is the capital of Flevoland, the youngest province of the Netherlands, and it represents one of humanity's most ambitious feats of engineering. Named after Cornelis Lely, the hydraulic engineer who designed the Afsluitdijk dam that made this entire reclamation project possible, the city offers a sailing experience unlike anything else in Europe.

Lelystad is the largest municipality in the Netherlands by area, though much of that territory consists of water: the Markermeer and IJsselmeer. For sailing enthusiasts, this means one thing: endless possibilities for exploration, adventure, and tranquillity on the water.

Why Lelystad Is Your Perfect Sailing Base

Strategically positioned on the dividing line between the Markermeer and IJsselmeer, Lelystad serves as an ideal starting point for sailing trips across the most popular Dutch sailing waters. The marinas in Lelystad give boaters rapid access to the Houtribsluizen locks, allowing easy passage between the two lakes and opening up a navigation area of over 1,800 square kilometres.

Unrivalled Accessibility

Getting to Lelystad is remarkably simple:

• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is just a short drive or train ride away
• Direct train connections from Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and beyond
• The A6 motorway provides excellent road access from all directions

The Marinas: Your Gateway to Adventure

Lelystad boasts several excellent marinas, each with its own character:

• Lelystad Haven: A family-friendly marina with a playground, free bicycle rental, and the floating Club Port Side restaurant with panoramic views
• Deko Marina Lelystad: Premium berths with catways offering maximum privacy, plus charging stations for electric vehicles
• Flevo Marina Lelystad: A full-service harbour with 600 berths, comprehensive yacht services, and the restaurant Aan Ut Water

The marinas are Blue Flag certified, recognised for their environmentally sound management and sustainable practices. This makes sailing from Lelystad not only enjoyable but also responsible.

The Waters Await: Where Will the Wind Take You?

Historic Harbour Towns That Time Forgot

From Lelystad, you can easily sail to some of the most charming historic harbour towns in the Netherlands:

• Urk: Once an island, this traditional fishing village sits just 13 nautical miles from Lelystad. Explore the old harbour, climb the lighthouse, and sample fresh fish caught by local fishermen. The tight-knit community still lives largely from fishing and maintains deep religious traditions.
• Enkhuizen: A 17th-century VOC harbour town with over 350 national monuments. Visit the world-famous Zuiderzee Museum and stroll past Renaissance buildings, idyllic canals, and the grand medieval harbour gate. In the summer months, the Jazz Festival Enkhuizen transforms the historic centre into a musical paradise.
• Hoorn: Another former Dutch East India Company stronghold where you can visit the imposing Hoofdtoren defence tower and the Westfries Museum. Book a table at the Hoofdtoren itself to watch the sunset behind moored ships.
• Volendam: Moor your sailing ship right on the cosy dike and enjoy fresh herring on a terrace within minutes of disembarking. This lively town is famous for its traditional costumes and vibrant music scene.

The Marker Wadden: A Wilderness Born from Human Ambition

Perhaps the most extraordinary destination accessible from Lelystad is the Marker Wadden, an artificial archipelago that opened to the public in 2016. These islands were created using sand, clay, and silt dredged from the Markermeer, and they now form a thriving nature reserve of approximately 10,000 hectares.

Accessible in just over an hour by sailing ship from Lelystad, the Marker Wadden promise a change of scenery like no other. On Haveneiland (Port Island), you will find:

• 12 kilometres of hiking trails through beaches, dunes, and marshes
• Spectacular bird hides for observing wildlife
• The chance to spot white-tailed eagles, spoonbills, avocets, and the rare bearded tit
• Sustainable island cottages for overnight stays

With your own sailing ship, you can reserve a berth directly at Marker Wadden and experience this wilderness at your own pace.

Five Unexpected Experiences in and Around Lelystad

1. Walk Where Mammoths Once Roamed at Batavialand

Batavialand combines a shipyard where historical ships are reconstructed using traditional craftsmanship with a museum exploring Flevoland's unique history. The highlight is the full-scale reconstruction of the VOC ship Batavia, which sank off the coast of Western Australia in 1629. Board the ship, explore the decks, and imagine life as a 17th-century sailor. In the workshops surrounding the yard, old crafts are still practised: rope making, forging, wood cutting, and sail repair. You can even try these skills yourself.

2. Spot the "Crouching Man" from the Water

Standing 26 metres tall on a breakwater at the beginning of the Houtribdijk, Exposure is a steel frame sculpture by British artist Antony Gormley. This striking artwork, made of over 5,000 elements and weighing 60 tonnes, sits at the interface between land and water, looking out over the Markermeer. From your sailing ship, you can appreciate its impressive silhouette against the open sky. The locals have affectionately nicknamed it "de poepende man" (the crouching man) due to its unusual posture.

3. Cycle Through Tulip Fields After Your Sail

From April to early May, Flevoland transforms into a sea of colour. Special tulip routes spread across Lelystad, Zeewolde, and Dronten, allowing you to cycle through spectacular flower fields. Most marinas in Lelystad offer bicycle rental, making it easy to combine a morning sail with an afternoon among the blooms.

4. Safari Among Wild Horses at Oostvaardersplassen

The Oostvaardersplassen is a 56 square kilometre nature reserve that arose spontaneously when the Flevopolder was drained in 1968. Today, it is home to herds of Konik horses, Heck cattle, and red deer, as well as thousands of geese and waterfowl. Go on a guided safari with a forest ranger, rent a bicycle from the visitor centre, or simply watch the wildlife from one of the observation points. With luck, you might spot a white-tailed eagle soaring overhead.

5. Taste the Local Catch: Smoked Eel and Kibbeling

The IJsselmeer has a rich fishing heritage, and you should not leave without trying the local specialities. Smoked eel (paling) from traditional smokehouses and kibbeling (crispy fried fish bites) are beloved Dutch treats. In Urk or Volendam, you can sample fish caught that very morning while sitting at a waterside terrace.

Harbours Worth Mooring At: Your Sailing Itinerary

A Weekend Itinerary

Day 1: Depart Lelystad and sail to the Marker Wadden. Explore the walking trails and bird hides. Moor overnight at the harbour or return to Lelystad.

Day 2: Set course for Urk or Enkhuizen. Wander through cobbled streets, visit museums, and enjoy fresh fish before sailing back.

A Week-Long Adventure

With more time, you can create a route that takes in multiple harbours:

1. Lelystad to Urk: Approximately 13 nautical miles
2. Urk to Enkhuizen: Cross the IJsselmeer to this historic gem
3. Enkhuizen to Hoorn: A short sail along the coast
4. Hoorn to Volendam: Continue south on the Markermeer
5. Volendam to Marker Wadden: Stop at this remarkable nature reserve
6. Marker Wadden to Lelystad: Return to your starting point

Each harbour offers its own character, cuisine, and history, making every stop a new discovery.

Practical Information for Your Sailing Adventure

Best Time to Sail

May and June offer the fewest rainy days and the most hours of sunshine. The average wind force is four Beaufort, providing excellent sailing conditions. Summer months bring longer days and warmer temperatures, while early autumn offers quieter waters and stunning light.

What to Know Before You Go

• A boating licence is required if your vessel can reach 20 km/h or if the hull length exceeds 15 metres
• There are no speed limits on the Markermeer
• The water can become choppy in bad weather, but in calm conditions, even smaller boats navigate comfortably
• Unlike crowded coastal destinations, the Markermeer and IJsselmeer are not saturated with boats, allowing you to enjoy peaceful sailing

Getting to Lelystad

International guests often fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. From there:

• Take a direct train to Lelystad Centrum (approximately 45 minutes)
• A taxi from the station to the marina takes about 5 minutes
• By car, follow the A6 motorway directly to Lelystad

More Than Just Sailing: Lelystad Surprises

Between sailing trips, Lelystad has plenty to offer on land:

• Aviodrome: The National Aviation Museum with over 100 aircraft, including a KLM 747 you can walk through
• Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet: Over 250 stores offering designer brands at discounted prices, right next to the harbour
• Land Art Route: Flevoland is home to several significant landscape artworks, including Robert Morris' Observatory and Gormley's Exposure

Book Your Unforgettable Experience

Lelystad offers something rare: the chance to sail through a landscape that should not exist, visiting towns that were once islands, mooring at harbours that witnessed the Dutch Golden Age, and exploring nature reserves that are being created before your eyes.

Whether you are seeking a romantic weekend for two, a family adventure with space for the children to run free on deck, or a group trip with friends, a sailing ship provides the perfect combination of freedom, comfort, and discovery.

Book a sailing ship now and let the waters of Lelystad carry you to places you never knew existed.