SAILING AREAS

The IJsselmeer is known amongst sailors for its diverse picturesque harbors. Each harbor has its own rich history, leading back to the Golden age, when Holland flourished in the field of seafaring.

The Wadden sea has a totally different character than the IJsselmeer. The untouched nature and the countless sandbanks make it possible to anchor and enjoy a stunning star sea above your head at night.

The captain passionately teaches you to navigate, steer the ship and hoist the sails. You will be carried away in the stories of the ocean, that have been passed on from father to son for centuries

SAILING ON THE WADDENSEA

Traditionally, the flat-bottomed boats like ours used to sail the coasts of Holland. Flat bottoms are so called because they have a flat bottom without a keel. As a result, they have little depth and can sail through gullies that are inaccessible to other ships and lie dry on a sandbank.

The Wadden Sea (Frisian: Waadsee, German: Wattenmeer, Danish: Vadehavet) is the inland sea between the Wadden Islands and the mainland of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. The area has developed over thousands of years and stretches between Den Helder in the Netherlands and Esbjerg in Denmark.

The Dutch Wadden sea region consists of 7 islands and is listed as a UNESCO heritage site. This makes sense, as the area is rich in special flora and fauna. Seals swim freely in nature and the various birds hide behind wild bushes.

In the middle of a sandbank flatbottoms ships can get stuck without danger and you can get off the ship and experience what it’s like to do some mudflat walking. From the sandbanks, the dunes are often within reach for a nice hike but many also enjoy a nice barbecue surrounded by what used to be the wadden sea during the daytime.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US

Sailing with the Waterwolf is really enjoying the most beautiful surroundings the Netherlands has to offer. Enjoy nature and the elements on a beautiful ship. Being on a journey and experiencing unique moments. Actively relax and experience what a skipper goes through. All this has been completely taken care of with the hospitality of Olaf and Nicci. Delicious food, more than fine stay on the boat and everything very cosy!

It was an experience to never forget and to tell everyone about

Bas Bosman

THE SEVEN WADDEN ISLANDS IN THE WADDEN AREA

The first island of the seven is Texel. This is the most densely populated and touristic island and is known, among other things, for the seal sanctuary Ecomare. On Texel you can not only see the seals and other mammals up close, but you can also learn everything about their habitat and habits.

The second island is family-friendly Vlieland. An oasis of tranquility, where cars are not allowed. On the west coast of the island you’ll find ‘the Vliehors’. This is an impressive sandy area of 20 square kilometers, no wonder they call it ‘The Sahara of the north’

The third Wadden Island Terschelling is known for its impressive lighthouse the Brandaris. This is the oldest still working lighthouse in the Netherlands and still serves as a beacon for all shipping in the North Sea and the Wadden Sea.

Special about the forth island Ameland is that we can sail our ships right up the beach. From there you can take a walk along the stunning shoreline or visit one of the four nostalgic little villages.

The smallest inhabited and fifth largest island is Schiermonnikoog. The special nature of this Wadden Island has been able to develop without human intervention. Therefore it is extremely rich in a variety of birds. Thanks to the constructed cycle paths this island is a feast for the eyes during a bike ride.

The last two islands are Rottumerplaat & Rottumeroog. These are the youngest islands and also uninhabited islands that, just like Schiermonnikoog, are known for their many bird colonies. Mooring or sailing onto the shore by boat is not permitted here for nature conservation reasons.

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Activities

MUDFLAT HIKING

Mudflat hiking is walking on the seabottom at low tide. Traditionally ‘Wadlopers’ or Mud flat walkers, crossed from the mainland to a Wadden island.

Every day the area between the mainland and the Wadden Islands is partly dry. At that moment, which only takes a few hours, the whole environment changes. Where you first could swim from the sailboat, huge sandbanks suddenly appear and even the species of birds change. A walk across these temporary dry plains is a different experience every time because nature does not allow itself to be captured.

FRESH MUSSELS & OYSTERS

The Dutch wadden region is rich in original Japanese oysters.

You can’t get them any fresher than picking them during a hike over the sandbanks! There are also many mussel beds and you stumble over the cockles. This way you will soon have a delicious fresh lunch.

SEALS

In the 1970s, the seals in the Wadden Sea were almost extinct. Thanks to the environmental policy and the various rehabilitation centres, the number of seals in the Wadden Sea has increased significantly in recent years. Seals are playful and curious animals and like to swim along with sailing boats. They also enjoy lazing around, which is why you often come across them on the sandbanks around the Wadden Islands.

SAILING ON THE IJSSELMEER & MARKERMEER

The IJsselmeer was first part of the ‘Zuiderzee’ and was created at the beginning of the last century by the construction of the ‘Afsluitdijk’. The name was created because the river IJssel flows into it. With an average depth of 4.4 meters, it is seen by many as a shallow tub of water, but due to the constantly changing winds it is pure pleasure for sailing enthusiasts to sail on.

MARKERMEER

The Markermeer is the southern half of the IJsselmeer and is surrounded by various authentic fishing villages and towns. In the golden age the Markermeer [then still called Zuiderzee] was the gateway to Amsterdam where all VOC ships anchored.

The rich history of the area around the Markermeer provides many public cultural and natural monuments. In addition, construction of the Marker wadden began in 2016. This creates new nature areas that contribute to biodiversity. These nature reserves are all publicly accessible.

PICTURESQUE AND AUTHENTIC HARBORS

The Markermeer is famous at home and abroad for its traditional fishing villages such as Monnickendam, Marken and Volendam where they still sell fresh fish dressed in traditional clothing. Old crafts seem to revive here and even the buildings have stood still in time.

THE RICH HISTORY OF THE V.O.C.

The VOC era provided the Netherlands with prosperity in the golden age. This can still be found in port cities such as Enkhuizen, Hoorn and the Frisian hanseatic city of Stavoren. Here are replicas of VOC ships, but you will also find original VOC trading houses and some rich mansions from that time have been converted into a museum.