Are you the kind of person who owns a boat and takes to the water at the first sign of spring? Or have you never sailed before and do you want to experience what all those boating enthusiasts mean when they talk about the peace and freedom on the water? The Noordoostpolder has beautiful waterways, cosy marinas, impressive locks and various locations for boat rentals, so whether you are an experienced boater or not, your boating trip cannot fail here.
Would you like to not only enjoy being on the water, but also learn something about your surroundings at the same time? Then take a sloop, canoe, kayak or sup on (part of) the new sailing route around Kraggenburg along the Leemvaart, Zwolsevaart and Enservaart canals. At each of the eight jetties you pass, especially if you sail by sup, you can take a break and read the information board at the jetty in the meantime. In this way, discover all about the history and nature of the area you are sailing through. Leaflets about the route are available at various local entrepreneurs (hotels, restaurants, etc.) in and around Kraggenburg.
Natural Yachts' electric charter yachts are located in Marknesse, in the green surroundings near Vollenhove, Blokzijl and Giethoorn. From the harbour, you can sail straight to the IJsselmeer, the Randmeren and the Frisian lakes.
At Rent-a-Boat Flevoland, you can rent a sloop easily and without a boating licence and immediately take a beautiful cruise through the unique polder landscape. The sloops are electrically powered, so they are quiet and relatively environmentally friendly.
Marina Schokkerstrand is located on the Ketelmeer, on the eastern side of the IJsselmeer, between the IJssel and the IJssel Lake. From Marina Schokkerstrand, there is a fascinating sailing destination for every type of boat and in any weather. Right next to the marina you will find restaurant Pier 16 and Unesco World Heritage Site Schokland is within cycling distance.
Cruising into the polder from the head of Overijssel via Voorstersluis? Then about one kilometre past the lock you will find the WSV Kraggenburg marina, with 97 permanent and 40 transient spaces. From the marina, you can reach Netl de Wildste Tuin in no time for a day of old-fashioned outdoor play, fanatical sports or great swimming. Grab a bite to eat at Netl or visit Brasserie de Voorst.
At Kokomo Verhuur on Netl's Vuurtorenstrand in Kraggenburg, you can rent canoes and SUPs. Explore the beautiful surroundings from your canoe or SUP and enjoy a snack and drink at the Beach Pavilion afterwards.
Recreatiepark De Voorst is a versatile recreation park located in a beautiful nature area full of water recreation opportunities. You can rent canoes and SUPs to take out on the water. Did that whet your appetite? Then head to Brasserie De Voorst, right next to the park.
Water sports are also beautiful in and around Emmeloord. Rent a SUP at SUPPIE-Emmeloord. This is inflatable and therefore very light. This allows you to go on the water wherever you want, as long as you return the SUP within 8 hours.
There are three main canals in the Noordoostpolderder. They run from one of the locks to Emmeloord, the centre of the polder:
Side canals connect the 10 villages in the Noordoostpolder with the main canals. Almost all villages are located at the end of such a side canal.
In the dykes surrounding the Noordoostpolder , there is a lock next to each of the three pumping stations, allowing boats to sail in and out of the polder. These are the Friese Sluis (next to the Buma pumping station) near Lemmer, the Voorstersluis (next to the Smeenge pumping station) near Marknesse and the Urkersluis (next to the Vissering pumping station) near Urk. These lock gates with movable bridges allow vessels to bridge a difference in water level of between 5 and 6 metres. In good weather, you can sail through the Marknessersluis (near Marknesse) and the Kadoelerkeersluis (near Kraggenburg) without any difference in water level, as these are not lock gates but flood defences whose sluice gates are closed in strong winds and/or high water to prevent flooding.
Find out more about our locks and pumping stations
Are you an experienced boater? Then combine a trip on one or more canals through the Noordoostpolder with a stretch on the open water of the IJsselmeer or Zwarte Meer. Just pass through a lock and go! And at the end of the day, of course, you moor at one of our marinas and end the day at a cosy restaurant nearby. The ultimate holiday feeling, right?
