Bike & Sail the Frisian Sea
Netherlands Bike + Boat Tours
Exploring the Frisian Islands by bike
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1064 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
You have heard of bike and barge tours, and now we offer you a bike and sail adventure in the Netherlands!
Experience the purity of nature - the water, sun, and sea breezes - as you explore the open water of the northern part of the Lake IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Biosphere.
The Frisian region is a world in itself, a fragile balance between land and sea. High and low tide alternate every six hours, transforming the landscape as if by magic. One moment, everything is totally submerged, and the next, you can walk on the seabed across to the islands that lie just off the coast. The first islands are the five Dutch Wadden Islands, and they are all “pearls in the sea”, each with a unique atmosphere and character.
The Frisian islands and the coasts of North Holland and Friesland are a true “El Dorado” for cyclists.
What are you waiting for? Cast off!
Highlights
- North Sea Islands of Texel and Terschelling
- Beautiful natural areas
- Small, picturesque villages
- Picture perfect beaches
- Bird watching
We have many bike & boat tours in the Netherlands. Take a look!
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival and embarkation in Enkhuizen
Day 2: Enkhuizen - Medemblik | Medemblik - Den Oever -Texel, 14 or 22 mi. (24 or 37 km)
Day 3: Texel - round tour from Oudeschild, 26 or 30 mi. (43 or 49 km)
Day 4: Island of Texel | Island of Terschelling, sailing day (5 to 6 hrs)
Day 5: The Island of Terschelling | Terschelling - Harlingen, 1 to 24 mi. (1 to 40 km)
Day 6: Harlingen - Franeker - Makkum, 29 or 36 mi. (48 or 58 km)
Day 7: Makkum - Stavoren | sailing to Enkhuizen, 19 to 30 mi. (32 to 49 km)
Day 8: Enkhuizen*All distances are approximate. The planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons and other unforeseen circumstances. If there is low or high water, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety even with no advance notice. During the days when two tour length options are possible, you can make a choice for the longer or the shorter option, but not all mentioned highlights will be visited during the short bike option.
Italicized portions are by boat.
Day 1 Arrival and embarkation in Enkhuizen
It is possible to bring your luggage on board from 11 am, but the cabins will not be ready for check-in at this time. Embarkation and check-in where the crew will welcome you on board is from 2 p.m. near the beautiful center of Enkhuizen and close to the railway station. After unpacking your luggage the skipper will join you for an aperitif before giving you a rundown of what to expect on the journey, details about the ship, and will discuss safety on board. In the evening take a stroll through the historical center of Enkhuizen, a quaint town that was the home of the Dutch merchant fleet during the Golden Age of The Netherlands. Enjoy your first night on board in Enkhuizen on the western bank of Lake IJsselmeer.Day 2: Enkhuizen - Medemblik, 14 or 22 mi. (24 or 37 km) | Medemblik - Den Oever -Texel
Today the ship sails from Enkhuizen to Den Oever. You can stay on board and sail over the IJsselmeer or you can hop on your bike and start your first cycling tour along the IJsselmeer coast through the beautiful polder-landscape via Medemblik up to the fishing harbor of Den Oever. Depending on the weather, in the evening, the ship will sail across the Wadden Sea to the Island of Texel.Day 3: Texel - round tour from/to Oudeschild, 26 or 30 mi. (43 or 49 km)
The island of Texel has varied scenery and picturesque villages. On the agenda today is a roundtrip cycling tour on the largest of the Dutch North Sea islands. It is highly recommended that you use the well-signposted Thijsse-route (about 24 miles/40 km) and visit some villages and the seal sanctuary station, EcoMare. Also along the way is the traditional beer brewery in the harbor of Oudeschild.Day 4: Island of Texel - Island of Terschelling, sailing day (5 to 6 hrs)
If the tide and weather cooperate, the ship will sail to the island of Terschelling. You will maneuver through the sandbanks of the Wadden Sea and maybe even be able to see seals resting on the sandbar. In the afternoon, the ship will arrive on the Island of Terschelling, which features a number of picturesque villages situated between the polder and sand dunes along its 30 km expanse. While sailing you will enjoy an extensive lunch on board. In 2019, no dinner will be served tonight, to enable you to explore the island, but you can make yourself a picnic meal or try one of the nice restaurants at Terschelling (not incl.).Day 5: The Island of Terschelling, 1 to 24 mi. (1 to 40 km) | Island of Terschelling - Harlingen
Terschelling has a lot to offer including nature, culture, cycling paths that stretch 70 km, and four beautiful villages. You decide how much or how little you would like to cycle. West Terschelling is the largest village on the island with quaint little shops and pubs. The landmark of the island, the 400-year-old lighthouse, "Brandaris", can already be seen well from a distance. Also worth seeing is the European nature reserve, “Boschplaat”. It captivates with its mud, beaches, and dunes. You might even spot a number of ducks, black-winged stilts, and large colonies of spoonbills and great black-backed gulls. After a day of cycling, you can relax in comfort once you have arrived on board. In the late afternoon, the ship will cross the Wadden Sea sail to Harlingen, the most important harbor city of the province of Friesland.Day 6: Harlingen - Franeker - Makkum, 29 or 36 mi. (48 or 58 km)
Via Franeker, with the famous planetarium of Eise Eisinga, you cycle through the beautiful wide Frisian countryside along several rural villages to the small harbor of Makkum on the eastern bank of the lake IJsselmeer. If you take the long cycling trip, you will also visit Bolsward, one of the Eleven Frisian Cities.
Day 7: Makkum - Stavoren | sailing to Enkhuizen, 19 to 30 mi. (32 to 49 km)
From Makkum you will cycle to Stavoren. The short tour leads you via the old trading town of Hindeloopen. This local art of painting – a type of traditional decorative painting – is quite famous. Apart from this, you’ll find the First Frisian Museum of Ice Skating in Hindeloopen. The long tourruns along several Frisian lakes and shows you a different type of landscape. From Stavoren the ship will set sail to cross the IJsselmeer to Enkhuizen in the late afternoonDay 8: Enkhuizen
Disembarkation by 10:00 am. A beautiful journey full of new experiences has come to an end.Be sure to check out all of our featured bike & boat tours, or our full list of tours, trips, & cruises.
Map
Boats & Bikes
- Leafde fan Fryslân
Comfort Class Sailing Ship
The Leafde fan Fryslân is a majestic three-masted barquentine. The atmosphere on board and the itinerary, navigating Lake IJsselmeer and the Frisian Sea, provide a unique bike and sail experience. Read More
- Mare fan Fryslân
Standard Class Sailing Ship
The Mare fan Fryslân was built in 1960 as a freight ship and was then completely renovated in 2006 to be used as a beautiful, elegant, three-masted schooner. Get ready for an authentic sailing experience! Read More
- Wapen fan Fryslân
Standard Class Sailing Ship
In 1965, this sailing ship was launched as a freight ship and then in 2003 it was completely transformed into a sailing passenger ship. Today is the largest two-master schooner on the Dutch waterways. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations on board selected boat for 7 nights
- 7 breakfasts, 5 packed lunches, 1 lunch onboard, 6 three-course dinners onboard & 1 packed dinner
- Welcome drink
- Coffee & tea onboard until 4 pm
- 7-speed unisex city touring bicycle (handmade in the Netherlands by Azor) aluminum frame, Selle-Royal adjustable gel saddle, integral frame lock, anti-puncture tires, & pannier bag
- Onboard tour guide (remains on board, does not cycle with group)
- Daily briefings of the tours
- Fresh towels on request
- Light daily cleaning of cabins
- Route descriptions & maps (one set per cabin)
- GPS tracks
- WiFi
What’s Not Included
- Transfers to & from the docking place in Enkhuizen
- Entrance fees & excursions
- Fees for ferries
- Drinks on board other than those mentioned
- Helmet ( available for a surcharge)
- Gratuities
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2024
Sunday departures
Season C: May 5*, May 12*, May 19*, May 26*, June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11, August 18, August 25, September 1, & September 8, 2024
Season D: September 15 & September 22
Season F: September 29, 2024Season C Season D Season F Small twin $ 2181 £ 1128 $ 1,933 € 1290 kr 197779 ₪ 5231 ¥ 215280 Mex$ 23572 NZ$ 2374 NOK 15371 kr 15144 $ 1,423 $ 2012 £ 1040 $ 1,783 € 1190 kr 182447 ₪ 4826 ¥ 198592 Mex$ 21745 NZ$ 2190 NOK 14180 kr 13970 $ 1,313 $ 1809 £ 935 $ 1,603 € 1070 kr 164049 ₪ 4339 ¥ 178566 Mex$ 19552 NZ$ 1970 NOK 12750 kr 12561 $ 1,180 Twin $ 2519 £ 1303 $ 2,233 € 1490 kr 228442 ₪ 6043 ¥ 248657 Mex$ 27227 NZ$ 2743 NOK 17755 kr 17492 $ 1,643 $ 2350 £ 1215 $ 2,083 € 1390 kr 213111 ₪ 5637 ¥ 231969 Mex$ 25400 NZ$ 2559 NOK 16563 kr 16318 $ 1,533 $ 2147 £ 1110 $ 1,903 € 1270 kr 194713 ₪ 5150 ¥ 211943 Mex$ 23207 NZ$ 2338 NOK 15133 kr 14909 $ 1,401 Junior suite $ 2857 £ 1477 $ 2,532 € 1690 kr 259106 ₪ 6854 ¥ 282034 Mex$ 30882 NZ$ 3111 NOK 20138 kr 19840 $ 1,864 $ 2688 £ 1390 $ 2,383 € 1590 kr 243774 ₪ 6448 ¥ 265346 Mex$ 29054 NZ$ 2927 NOK 18946 kr 18666 $ 1,754 $ 2485 £ 1285 $ 2,203 € 1470 kr 225376 ₪ 5961 ¥ 245320 Mex$ 26862 NZ$ 2706 NOK 17516 kr 17257 $ 1,621 Upper deck suite $ 3365 £ 1740 $ 2,982 € 1990 kr 305101 ₪ 8070 ¥ 332099 Mex$ 36364 NZ$ 3663 NOK 23712 kr 23362 $ 2,195 $ 3196 £ 1652 $ 2,832 € 1890 kr 289769 ₪ 7665 ¥ 315411 Mex$ 34536 NZ$ 3479 NOK 22521 kr 22188 $ 2,085 $ 2993 £ 1547 $ 2,652 € 1770 kr 271371 ₪ 7178 ¥ 295385 Mex$ 32344 NZ$ 3258 NOK 21091 kr 20779 $ 1,952 Single $ 3026 £ 1565 $ 2,682 € 1790 kr 274438 ₪ 7259 ¥ 298722 Mex$ 32709 NZ$ 3295 NOK 21329 kr 21014 $ 1,974 $ 2857 £ 1477 $ 2,532 € 1690 kr 259106 ₪ 6854 ¥ 282034 Mex$ 30882 NZ$ 3111 NOK 20138 kr 19840 $ 1,864 $ 2655 £ 1373 $ 2,353 € 1570 kr 240708 ₪ 6367 ¥ 262008 Mex$ 28689 NZ$ 2890 NOK 18708 kr 18431 $ 1,732 Twin/single-use $ 3677 £ 1901 $ 3,259 € 2175 kr 333388 ₪ 8818 ¥ 362889 Mex$ 39735 NZ$ 4003 NOK 25911 kr 25527 $ 2,398 $ 3423 £ 1770 $ 3,034 € 2025 kr 310390 ₪ 8210 ¥ 337857 Mex$ 36994 NZ$ 3726 NOK 24124 kr 23767 $ 2,233 $ 3119 £ 1613 $ 2,764 € 1845 kr 282793 ₪ 7480 ¥ 307818 Mex$ 33705 NZ$ 3395 NOK 21979 kr 21653 $ 2,034 Triple cabin (3rd bed is a bunk bed) available on request in very limited number. $ 169 £ 87 $ 150 € 100 kr 15332 ₪ 406 ¥ 16688 Mex$ 1827 NZ$ 184 NOK 1192 kr 1174 $ 110 discount per person will apply.
100 Euro discount per person available until April 30, 2024 on May departures. Valid for reservations on or after March 13, 2024
Saturday departures
Season A: April 20, April 27, September 14, & September 21, 2024
Season B: May 4, May 11*, May 18*, May 25*, June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10, August 17, August 24, August 31, September 7, 2024
Season E: September 28, 2024Season A Season B Season E Twin $ 2232 £ 1154 $ 1,978 € 1320 kr 202379 ₪ 5353 ¥ 220287 Mex$ 24121 NZ$ 2430 NOK 15729 kr 15496 $ 1,456 $ 2401 £ 1241 $ 2,128 € 1420 kr 217710 ₪ 5759 ¥ 236975 Mex$ 25948 NZ$ 2614 NOK 16920 kr 16670 $ 1,566 $ 2063 £ 1067 $ 1,828 € 1220 kr 187047 ₪ 4948 ¥ 203599 Mex$ 22293 NZ$ 2246 NOK 14537 kr 14322 $ 1,346 Junior suite $ 2570 £ 1329 $ 2,278 € 1520 kr 233042 ₪ 6164 ¥ 253664 Mex$ 27775 NZ$ 2798 NOK 18112 kr 17844 $ 1,677 $ 2739 £ 1416 $ 2,428 € 1620 kr 248374 ₪ 6570 ¥ 270352 Mex$ 29603 NZ$ 2982 NOK 19304 kr 19018 $ 1,787 $ 2401 £ 1241 $ 2,128 € 1420 kr 217710 ₪ 5759 ¥ 236975 Mex$ 25948 NZ$ 2614 NOK 16920 kr 16670 $ 1,566 Single $ 2739 £ 1416 $ 2,428 € 1620 kr 248374 ₪ 6570 ¥ 270352 Mex$ 29603 NZ$ 2982 NOK 19304 kr 19018 $ 1,787 $ 2908 £ 1504 $ 2,577 € 1720 kr 263705 ₪ 6975 ¥ 287041 Mex$ 31430 NZ$ 3166 NOK 20495 kr 20192 $ 1,897 $ 2570 £ 1329 $ 2,278 € 1520 kr 233042 ₪ 6164 ¥ 253664 Mex$ 27775 NZ$ 2798 NOK 18112 kr 17844 $ 1,677 Twin/single-use $ 3245 £ 1678 $ 2,876 € 1920 kr 294292 ₪ 7784 ¥ 320334 Mex$ 35075 NZ$ 3533 NOK 22872 kr 22534 $ 2,117 $ 3499 £ 1809 $ 3,101 € 2070 kr 317290 ₪ 8393 ¥ 345366 Mex$ 37816 NZ$ 3809 NOK 24660 kr 24295 $ 2,283 $ 2992 £ 1547 $ 2,652 € 1770 kr 271295 ₪ 7176 ¥ 295301 Mex$ 32334 NZ$ 3257 NOK 21085 kr 20773 $ 1,952
Saturday departures
Season A: April 27, September 14, & September 21, 2024
Season B: May 4, May 11*, May 18*, May 25*, June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10, August 17, August 24, August 31, September 7, 2024
Season E: September 28, 2024Season A Season B Season E Twin $ 2232 £ 1154 $ 1,978 € 1320 kr 202379 ₪ 5353 ¥ 220287 Mex$ 24121 NZ$ 2430 NOK 15729 kr 15496 $ 1,456 $ 2401 £ 1241 $ 2,128 € 1420 kr 217710 ₪ 5759 ¥ 236975 Mex$ 25948 NZ$ 2614 NOK 16920 kr 16670 $ 1,566 $ 2063 £ 1067 $ 1,828 € 1220 kr 187047 ₪ 4948 ¥ 203599 Mex$ 22293 NZ$ 2246 NOK 14537 kr 14322 $ 1,346 Twin/single-use $ 3245 £ 1678 $ 2,876 € 1920 kr 294292 ₪ 7784 ¥ 320334 Mex$ 35075 NZ$ 3533 NOK 22872 kr 22534 $ 2,117 $ 3499 £ 1809 $ 3,101 € 2070 kr 317290 ₪ 8393 ¥ 345366 Mex$ 37816 NZ$ 3809 NOK 24660 kr 24295 $ 2,283 $ 2992 £ 1547 $ 2,652 € 1770 kr 271295 ₪ 7176 ¥ 295301 Mex$ 32334 NZ$ 3257 NOK 21085 kr 20773 $ 1,952 Triple cabin (3rd bed is a bunk bed) available on request in very limited number. $ 169 £ 87 $ 150 € 100 kr 15332 ₪ 406 ¥ 16688 Mex$ 1827 NZ$ 184 NOK 1192 kr 1174 $ 110 discount per person will apply.
100 Euro discount per person available until April 30, 2024 on May 11, 18, and 25th departures. Valid for reservations on or after March 13, 2024
Extra Options
2024
Electric bicycle rental: $ 230 £ 119 $ 204 € 136 kr 20851 ₪ 552 ¥ 22696 Mex$ 2485 NZ$ 250 NOK 1621 kr 1597 $ 150 Helmet rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1533 ₪ 41 ¥ 1669 Mex$ 183 NZ$ 18 NOK 119 kr 117 $ 11 Gluten-free and dairy-free meals, payable onboard: pending
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy, self-guided bike and sailing tour, with average daily distances between 1 and 65 km. The route is predominantly flat on well-maintained bike lanes with little traffic. Each day / route can be done at your own pace. Daily instructions are on board and detailed bicycle maps and route notes are available. GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the tour starts.
Airport Info
Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).
Local Travel
From the airport, you can take a train to Enkhuizen. Travel time is 1 1/2 hour with one transfer. Cost is approximately €15. The train station at AMS is located on the lower level of the airport. A good app to download to your mobile device is the NS app (which can be found on the App Store or Google Play). You can use the app to plan your journey using every mode of public transport, not just from the train station to train station, but to any address. You can also see the current location of your bus, tram, and metro, as well as the current departure times.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. Below you will find more information regarding the regional weather.
Day of Rest
Any day can be used as a day of rest to remain on board.
Remarks
The tour guide remains on board and provides daily briefings of the route. Children are welcomed onboard providing that they are able to manage a cycle trip of ca. 30-55 km. Children’s bikes, tandems, parent-child-tandems, slip streamers, etc. are available on request. Of course, you may stay one or more days onboard instead of cycling (children under the age of 18 years must be under supervision). Child discount on request. Life jackets for children can be arranged on request.
Important to know
Travel documents
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc.
*Important note: Please check the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), as once implemented, will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit.
Tour documents
Your final travel information will be emailed approx. one month before your tour date. If you are interested in having the route on your personal smart device, Ride With GPS is an app that you can download for free on your mobile phone. Your phone then becomes your own cycling navigation device, a bike route mapping tool for cyclists. This option is in addition to traditional printed route notes and printed maps. Once the app is installed, you can then download tour maps and daily itineraries directly to your smartphone. You will be able to use voice navigation on all the routes and access your tour content anytime, all from your phone. In your final travel information, you will find the code you can use to access your specific tour. An account is not required.
Life on board
A little bit of adventure is a part of every Bike and Sail tour as this is a tour that depends on the wind! The captain decides the best route to be taken each day and discusses all options with the participants. The crew does everything in its power to ensure that the program runs according to plan and to offer you as fascinating, varied, and active week as possible, in which nature and culture play a major part. It is, however, also possible that departure times and the time spent on the water – and even the order of the program itself – may be adjusted. Enjoy the ride and let yourself be led by the elements! Whenever possible, various passages will be undertaken fully rigged and anyone who would like to help the crew to sail and steer the boat is welcome to do so. This is of course absolutely up to you and no sailing experience is necessary!
Carbon offset
This tour is carbon neutral. To offset emissions that can't yet be reduced by any other means, carbon credits are purchased through the organization Justdiggit. Their mission is to cool down the planet by regreening Africa through rainwater harvesting, tree restoration, and the development of grass seed banks.
Extra Stay
As you will most likely arrive and depart from Amsterdam, why not book extra nights and visit the world-famous museums like the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum (Rembrandts’ Night watch), the Anne Frank House, and enjoy the abundance of terraces and boutique-style cafes. We advise Booking.com for researching and reserving your extra nights. You can read a detailed description of the hotels offered including a clear listing of amenities, but more importantly, you can read customer reviews and ratings.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Boat Bike Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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