Bike & Sail Holland’s UNESCO Wadden Sea & IJsselmeer

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 biking option.
**Please note, while your experience takes place aboard a sailing ship, the hoisting of sails is subject to weather, wind conditions, and other safety considerations. As a result, we cannot guarantee that the sails will be raised during your journey. The safety and enjoyment of our guests remain our top priority. Rest assured your crew will ensure a memorable experience regardless of sailing conditions.

Day 1: Arrival 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 pm 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 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: Medemblik - Den Oever - Texel (17 - 25 mi / 28 - 40 km)
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. This will take you along the IJsselmeer coast through the beautiful polder landscape via Medemblik 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's Oudeschild Loop (26 - 30 mi / 43 - 49 km)
The island of Texel has varied scenery and picturesque villages. On the agenda today is a round trip 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 as well as the seal sanctuary station, Ecomare. Also along the way is the traditional beer brewery in the harbor of Oudeschild.

Day 4: Texel - Terschelling (Sailing 5 - 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 may 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: Terschelling - Harlingen (26 mi / 42 km)
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 to Harlingen, the most important harbor city of the province of Friesland.

Day 6: Harlingen - Franeker - Makkum (29 - 36 mi / 48 - 58 km)
Via Franeker, with its famous planetarium of Eise Eisinga, you'll cycle through the beautiful wide Frisian countryside and several rural villages to the small harbor of Makkum on the eastern bank of Lake IJsselmeer. If you take the long cycling trip, you will also visit Bolsward, one of the Eleven Frisian Cities.

Day 7: Makkum - Stavoren - Enkhuizen (19 - 30 mi / 32 - 49 km)
From Makkum you will cycle to Stavoren. The short tour leads you via the old trading town of Hindeloopen. The 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 tour runs along several Frisian lakes and shows you a different type of landscape. From Stavoren the ship will cross the IJsselmeer to Enkhuizen in the late afternoon.

Day 8: Disembark in Enkhuizen
Disembarkation by 10:00 am. A beautiful journey full of new experiences has come to an end.

2025 departures: September 7, September 14, September 21, and September 28

2026 departures: May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31, June 7, June 14, June 21, June 28, August 30, September 6, September 13, September 20, September 27, 2026

The guided option is only available on certain dates (listed above) aboard the Leafde fan Fryslan.

Day 1: Enkhuizen - Medemblik
Day 2: Medemblik - Den Oever - Texel (17 - 24.8 mi / 28 - 40 km)
Day 3: Texel's Oudeschild Loop (26 - 30 mi / 43 - 49 km)
Day 4: Texel - Terschelling (Sailing 5 - 6 hrs)
Day 5: Terschelling - Harlingen (26 mi / 42 km)
Day 6: Harlingen - Franeker - Makkum (29 - 36 mi / 48 - 58 km)
Day 7: Makkum - Stavoren - Enkhuizen (19 - 30 mi / 32 - 49 km)
Day 8: Disembark in Enkhuizen

The guided option is only available on certain dates (listed above) aboard the Leafde fan Fryslan. 

Day 1: Enkhuizen - Medemblik
Check-in begins at 2 pm near Enkhuizen’s city center and train station. Once settled in, the captain will welcome you aboard this one-of-a-kind Dutch vessel, the Leafde fan Fryslan, a beautifully remodeled four-masted schooner. After a brief safety meeting and overview of the itinerary, you’ll sail toward Medemblik, where, after dinner, the tour leaders will guide you through this historic town, known for its maritime traditions.

Day 2: Medemblik - Den Oever - Texel (17 - 25 mi / 28 - 40 km)
Start your day with a bike fitting, then set off on your first cycling adventure! You’ll be divided into two groups: one guided on a longer route, the other on a shorter route, both leading to the historic village of Twisk, famous for its well-preserved charm. After the ride, the ship will head to Texel, the largest Dutch North Sea island. If the weather doesn’t permit, you may stay overnight in Den Oever instead.

Day 3: Texel's Oudeschild Loop (26 - 30 mi / 43 - 49 km)
Today, explore the stunning landscapes of Texel, a cyclist’s haven with scenic routes, picturesque villages, and dedicated bike paths. With your tour leaders guiding you, highlights include a visit to Ecomare, a sanctuary for rescued seals and birds, where you’ll also learn about Texel’s unique ecosystem.

Day 4: Texel - Terschelling (Sailing 5 - 6 hrs)
Today is a full day of sailing! As you navigate the Wadden Sea’s sandbanks, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the captain and crew will share insights into sailing. Keep an eye out for seals resting on the sandbars. Enjoy lunch on board as you approach Terschelling, a scenic island with villages set between polders and dunes. Dinner is on your own, allowing you to experience one of the island’s local restaurants.

Day 5: Terschelling - Harlingen (26 mi / 42 km)
Today’s ride explores Terschelling’s rich natural and cultural sites, with 70 km of bike paths and four quaint villages to discover. Highlights include the 400-year-old Brandaris lighthouse in West Terschelling and the Boschplaat nature reserve, home to mudflats, beaches, and diverse bird species. In the afternoon, sail to Harlingen, Friesland’s primary harbor town.

Day 6: Harlingen - Franeker - Makkum (29 - 36 mi / 48 - 58 km)
Cycle from Harlingen to Franeker, stopping at the UNESCO-recognized Eise Eisinga Planetarium. Continue through the Frisian countryside, passing picturesque villages on your way to Makkum, a harbor town on the eastern shore of the IJsselmeer. The longer route includes a visit to Bolsward, one of Friesland’s Eleven Cities.

Day 7: Makkum - Stavoren - Enkhuizen (19 - 30 mi / 32 - 49 km)
Begin your day cycling from Makkum to Stavoren. The shorter route includes a visit to Hindeloopen, known for its traditional decorative art and the First Frisian Museum of Ice Skating. The longer route takes you past several of Friesland’s scenic lakes. In the late afternoon, the ship sails across the IJsselmeer, returning to Enkhuizen.

Day 8: Disembark in Enkhuizen
After breakfast on board, disembark by 9:30 am for the end of your journey.

**Please note, while your experience takes place aboard a sailing ship, the hoisting of sails is subject to weather, wind conditions, and other safety considerations. As a result, we cannot guarantee that the sails will be raised during your journey. The safety and enjoyment of our guests remain our top priority. Rest assured your crew will ensure a memorable experience regardless of sailing conditions.

Be sure to check out all of our featured bike & boat tours, or our full list of tours, trips, & cruises.