Canal Motorboats

Amsterdam Light Festival Official partner
amsterdam light  festival boat rental

Cruise the Amsterdam Light Festival route yourself

Would you like to take the Amsterdam Light Festival route by yourself? You can rent a boat from us for a minimum of 3 hours. This gives you plenty of time to complete the route, and no boating license is required. You’ll receive a route map we’ve carefully created, guiding you along the artworks. For €7.50, you can also purchase an official map on the Amsterdam Light Festival website with extra details about all the artworks and a suggested route.

Tip: Perfect for a romantic evening or a fun outing with friends and family.

 

Rent a boat and sail yourself
Amsterdam light festival private boat

Rent a private boat for large groups

Are you coming with a large group or would you prefer not to steer yourself? Choose our private boat with an experienced captain, catering, unlimited drinks, and optional extras. Tip: Ideal for special occasions like birthdays, family gatherings, or team building.

  • Personal experience: The captain shares fascinating stories during the cruise.
  • Comfort: Sit back, enjoy a warm drink, and snuggle under a cozy blanket.
  • For groups: Suitable for up to 30 people.

Book a private boat for large groups

Amsterdam Light Festival cruise

Amsterdam Light Festival tickets

Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival with others during a 1-hour and 15-minute group cruise. Our cruises depart at set times in front of Amsterdam Central Station, so make sure to book in advance. Tip: Great for small groups, families, dates, or solo outings.

  • Light Festival route: Discover all the festival’s highlights.
  • Affordable: A budget-friendly way to enjoy the festival from the water.
  • Optional drink: Decide if you’d like to add a (hot) drink to your trip.
  • Family rates: Reduced prices for children.

Get your Amsterdam Light Festival cruise tickets

Amsterdam Light Festival Official partner

Experience Amsterdam Light Festival with Canal Motorboats

Discover the magic of Amsterdam Light Festival from the water. Canal Motorboats offers three unique ways to enjoy this spectacular event. Whether you want to steer your own boat, relax on a private boat with a captain, or join a lively group cruise, there’s a perfect option for everyone.

Amsterdam Light Festival theme

During the 13th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival, you’ll be immersed in the enchanting world of rituals. As the festival explains: Rituals are deeply connected to various transitions: from past to future, winter to summer, youth to adulthood. Light plays an essential role in many rituals, symbolizing joy, energy, and life.

Sail the Amsterdam Light Festival route

The light artworks, chosen from hundreds of submissions, can be admired up close from the water. They come alive at dusk, showcasing breathtaking effects. Combined with the charm of Amsterdam’s canals, this is a truly unique experience and a must-see in the city. From November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025, the Amsterdam Light Festival welcomes visitors of all ages. The lights switch on at 5:00 pm and remain visible until 11:00 pm.

What do our customers say?

How does it work?

Discover Amsterdam in a unique way with Canal Motorboats! Reserve your boat, choose a date and time, come to our rental, and sail through the canals! Fun on the water guaranteed!

  • Choose a boat, date and time
  • Place your reservation
  • Come to our boat rental
  • Sail through Amsterdam

Where can you find us?

Do you have a question?

We offer various extra activities when you rent a boat from us. You pay a low rate per person. Choose the activity as an extra when booking. Extra activities for renting a small boat and self-sailing
  • Plastic fishing: €3 per person
  • Amsterdam canals quiz: €3 per person
Extra activities for renting a large boat with a captain
  • Silent disco: €7 per person
  • Amsterdam canals quiz: €3 per person

We offer 3 options:
  1. Rent a private boat and sail yourself
  2. Rent a private boat with a skipper for 30 people
  3. Public boat tours of 1 hour

We are open every day, all year round. These are our opening hours:
  • Monday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Tuesday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Wednesday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Thursday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Friday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Saturday: 10:00 - 22:00
  • Sunday: 10:00 - 22:00

Of course! Every year we have some great offers during popular events such as King's Day, Amsterdam Gay pride and Amsterdam Light Festival. The rental of the boats usually starts 4 to 6 months in advance. So, make sure to book in advance to secure a boat.

Available boats

  • Small boats that you can sail yourself
  • Private canal boats with a captain and space for 30 people
  • Tickets for the large canal cruise boats

Do you need to sail yourself or is there a captain?

Please note: on King's Day, you always rent a boat with a captain. You can rent both the small boats and the large private canal cruise boat with space for 30 people. On other holidays/events, you are allowed to sail yourself.

Food and drinks

Regarding food and drinks on King's Day and Gay Pride: On the small boats where you are the captain, you may bring your own food and drinks. On the large boats (30-person boats), it's only allowed to bring your own food. We will arrange the drinks for you.  

In addition to the regular boat fee, we are required to charge city tax at €2.50 per person. This applies to all boat rental companies in Amsterdam.

Yes, we organize corporate outings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, family days, outings with friends, team events, and much more. You can rent multiple small boats to drive yourself or our large sloop with a captain, which can accommodate 30 people, along with catering and drinks. Additionally, we offer extra activities when you rent a boat from us. You pay a low rate per person. Extra activities for renting a small boat and self-sailing
  • Plastic fishing: €3 per person
  • Amsterdam canals quiz: €3 per person
Extra activities for renting a large boat with a captain
  • Silent disco: €7 per person
  • Amsterdam canals quiz: €3 per person

Plastic fishing is only possible when you rent a boat to sail yourself. You can book plastic fishing with us for a low rate of €3 per person. You will receive all the necessary equipment on board to fish for plastic from the canals during your boat trip, including nets and garbage bags. It’s not only a lot of fun, but also good for the environment!

You can choose from various locations in Amsterdam. Please note: where you pick up the boat, you must also return the boat. Check all directions to our boat rentals.
  • Zandhoek 22, 1013 KT Amsterdam
  • Westerdoksdijk 705, 1013 BX Amsterdam
  • Nassaukade 341, 1053LZ Amsterdam
  • Polonceaukade 20, 1014 DA Amsterdam

Canal Motorboats is one of the most affordable boat rental companies in the city. You can rent a boat that you can sail yourself starting from €100 for 2 hours. Each additional hour is €50 per hour. This way, you can decide how long you want to cruise the canals. Check our rates for more information.
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Opening hours

Mon till sun: 10 am – 1o pm

Opening hours

Mon till sun: 10 am – 1o pm

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+ 31 (0) 20 422 70 07