Weekend Friesland
This route is beautiful for a weekend boating trip, enjoying all the beauty and comfort on board and combining it with what Friesland has to offer. While sailing, you will enjoy beautiful landscapes and the Frisian nature reserves while crossing beautiful lakes.
From our harbor, we will go through the Houkesloot to the Sneekermeer. The Sneekermeer is one of the most popular and beautiful lakes in Friesland. The lake is not only popular among water sports enthusiasts but also among nature lovers and holidaymakers. The Sneekermeer offers a wide range of activities, including sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, canoeing, rowing, and fishing. In addition, there are several marinas and sailing schools where you can go for lessons, rental, and maintenance of boats. The landscape around the Sneekermeer is particularly beautiful. You will find beautiful views over the water, but also idyllic villages with old farms, windmills, and picturesque streets. Moreover, the Sneekermeer is surrounded by green meadows and forests where you can enjoy walking, cycling, or horse riding. The lake also has an important historical significance for Friesland. In 1816, the first sailing competition in the Netherlands was organized here, which marked the start of the famous Sneekweek. This annual sailing competition still attracts thousands of visitors from home and abroad.
We cross the Sneekermeer and sail towards Akkrum. One of the most striking features of Akkrum is the historic center, which has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. You can take a walk through the narrow streets and enjoy the beautiful architecture, including old warehouses, windmills, and charming houses with thatched roofs.
We cross the Sneekermeer and sail towards Akkrum. One of the most striking features of Akkrum is the historic center, which has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. You can take a walk through the narrow streets and enjoy the beautiful architecture, including old warehouses, windmills, and charming houses with thatched roofs.
From Akkrum, you continue sailing over Het Deel and the Nieuwe Heerenveense Kanaal towards Heerenveen. This city has several berths and harbors, making it easily accessible. In the center, you will find a cozy shopping street, and there are also excellent restaurants. Besides the many eateries, there are also plenty of other activities to do, such as visiting the cinema, museums, and nightlife spots.
After Heerenveen, the route continues over the Engelenvaart towards Delfstrahuizen. The Engelenvaart is a relatively shallow waterway in Friesland. Therefore, it is important to sail carefully and keep an eye on the water depth, especially at low tide. It is also advisable to study the nautical chart well before entering this waterway.
While sailing through the beautiful nature, you will come to a junction between the Jonkers- or Helomavaart and the Pier Christiaansloot. Near this location, there are three options for overnight stays. The first option is to continue sailing over the Jonkers- or Helomavaart towards the Driewegsluis. There are several beautiful spots in the countryside to spend the night near the Driewegsluis. Another option is to continue sailing to the cozy villages of Echtenerbrug and Delfstrahuizen and spend the night there. And if you prefer to wake up with a view of the lake, sail through Echtenerbrug and Delfstrahuizen over the Tjeukemeer to the Marchjepôlle, a beautiful island in the middle of the Tjeukemeer.
From Tjeukemeer you can continue on to Langweer, a beautiful and lively water sports village with a beach and playground for children next to a well-maintained marina. The village also offers nice restaurants and cafes with occasional live music, making it a bustling place where you can have a great time. After passing through the Langweerderwielen and the charming Marrekrite spots on the Alde Wei, the route continues to Sneekermeer, with the possibility of visiting Joure along the way. This cozy village has several shops and eateries, while the harbor offers shelter next to a beautiful park for walking. There are plenty of activities in Joure, including an indoor play forest, swimming pool, puzzle museum, and bowling and mini golf course.
From Joure, you continue the route over the Goingarijpster Poulen towards Sneekermeer.
During this journey, you will sail past various islands, each with their own charming Marrekrite mooring places, making it a fantastic option to spend a final night here.
( The Marrekrite is an organization that focuses on the management and maintenance of recreational facilities on and along the water in Friesland, such as mooring places and jetties. The goal of the Marrekrite is to allow water sports enthusiasts and other recreationists to enjoy the beautiful Frisian nature and waters in a sustainable way. They ensure that there are sufficient free mooring places and that these are well-maintained. In this way, they contribute to the protection and preservation of nature and landscape in Friesland. The Marrekrite works closely with the province of Fryslân and other stakeholders to achieve this goal.)
If you prefer to spend the night in the marina, we highly recommend the marina at Starteiland.
