OUR 10 FAVOURITE
Almost all British boat owners will know that cruising in Holland is a delight, whether A on a canal, lake or river. The tranquillity of the quieter waterways is part of the appeal but so is the adrenalin rush of entering a massive lock behind a 180m barge with a wash like a tsunami. The sheer number and variety of boats, the almost universal ability of the people to speak in English, and their courtesy on and off the water is hard to beat.
My wife Tammy and I have been cruising the inland waterways of Holland every season (aside from the pandemic) for the past 10 years in our Linssen Dutch Sturdy 380AC Hector
II and what follows is a summary of our ten favourite moorings, listed in alphabetical order. Our choices are, of course, subjective; in our case, it is about location, places of interest and gastronomy. It is also based on places we have visited – to put this into context, there are upwards of 400 marinas in the Dutch Havengids and we can’t claim to have visited them all!
Each of our recommended moorings has something special to offer but we’d also love to hear from other readers about their favourites.
1 ALBLASSERDAM
WSV ALBLASSERDAM
WHERE IS IT? This small marina is located on the Noord River, a few kilometres north of Dordrecht, immediately adjacent to the superyacht builder Oceanco. The marina is accessed via a short channel on the east bank of the river under a lift-bridge which opens, more or less, on demand.
WHY IS IT A TOP MOORING? The marina is clean and well-equipped, albeit limited to vessels of 15m, but beyond that nothing special. What qualifies it for our list is its proximity both to Kinderdijk, and to Le Barrage restaurant. Kinderdijk is a World Heritage Site and one of Holland’s top attractions. There are 19 windmills, built for drainage purposes around 1740, most of which are still working and some are even lived in. It is located around 3km from the marina.
The fun way to get there is by hiring a cycle from the bike rental centre adjacent to the marina, and following the well-marked cycle paths alongside the Noord River; alternatively you can take a bus. Yes it is very popular, and yes some of the large tour groups seem to be lacking in peripheral vision as far as cycles are concerned, but it’s still a great place to visit.
WHERE TO EAT? Nothing prepares you for the size and style of Le Barrage restaurant; it is set over two floors, with a substantial outdoor bar and eating area. Great atmosphere, expansive and slightly expensive menu, but an experience not to be missed in Alblasserdam. www.lebarrage.nl
