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Netherlands

Netherlands: Sail & Bike Wadden Sea

Comfortable adventures, island hopping
Enkhuizen Round tour.
From €1069 p.p.
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Netherlands: Sail & Bike Wadden Sea
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Highlights of this tour

Sail and bike tours are something very special. Feel the freedom, the wind and salt on your skin! It’s a little bit like discovering the seas and new areas as a modern-day explorer. Aboard one of the most comfortable sailing ships, the Leafde fan Fryslân, the Mare fan Fryslân, and the Wapen fan Fryslân, you will experience pure nature while enjoying water, sun and a stiff breeze on the big inland lake IJsselmeer and the so-called “Wadden Sea”, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve. During this Sail & […]

Discover the Wadden Sea by bike & ship

Pretty harbor towns Enkhuizen & Stavoren

Texel & Terschelling islands bike trips

Sailing ship with max. 26 passengers

Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 1 Difficulty level 1
Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch.
8 days

About this tour

Sail and bike tours are something very special. Feel the freedom, the wind and salt on your skin! It’s a little bit like discovering the seas and new areas as a modern-day explorer.

Aboard one of the most comfortable sailing ships, the Leafde fan Fryslân, the Mare fan Fryslân, and the Wapen fan Fryslân, you will experience pure nature while enjoying water, sun and a stiff breeze on the big inland lake IJsselmeer and the so-called “Wadden Sea”, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve. During this Sail & Bike tour you can explore the beautiful and unique Frisian Sea and some of its islands.

It is a world with two faces, where sand and water dominate during the changeover from low to high tide and where islands of all sizes line up like pearls on a chain. There are tidal channels, seagrass meadows, mussel beds, sandbanks, mudflats, salt marshes, beaches and dunes. The Frisian Sea is the habitat of marine mammals, such as seals and porpoises, and the breeding ground and wintering area for millions of birds. The area is one of the last remaining large-scale, low-tide ecosystems where natural processes continue to function. Furthermore you will visit the famous (freshwater lake) IJsselmeer and its beautiful coastline with many fishing villages and old trading harbor towns.

Highlights of the tour are the North Sea islands of Texel and Terschelling and their beautiful natural areas, small villages and long sandy beaches that you can explore by bicycle. Highlights on the coasts of the mainland in the provinces of North-Holland and Friesland are a combination of rural areas, small villages and picturesque harbor towns: a true “El Dorado” for cyclists. If you like, on board, you may – instructed by the experienced crew – lend a hand during navigating and raising the sails. Sailing experience is not necessary. But of course you are also very welcome to just relax and enjoy the sailing and scenery.

The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking.

Perfect for more experienced cyclists
With a detailed map of the area and a suggested route for close-range explorations, you decide where you head and how fast you ride. During the evening prior to next day’s cycling tour, the ship’s crew will explain some difficult parts, offer tips about the nicest places to stop for a drink or lunch, and mention the best highlights. In case of emergencies or problems, the crew can be contacted. But – as the ship is sailing to the next port – they can only offer assistance by phone.

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Day to day program

Parts that are printed in italics parts will be covered by the ship.

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.

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 and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal).

Day 1: Enkhuizen

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 also about safety measures to be taken 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 the lake IJsselmeer.

 

Day 2: Enkhuizen – Medemblik (24 km/14 mi or 37 km/22 mi.) | sailing Medemblik – Den Oever – Texel 

Today you can cycle the first leg of the trip along the IJsselmeer coast through the beautiful polder landscape to Medemblik.  After the cycling tour the ship will sail further to Den Oever. Depending on the weather in the evening the ship will take the lock and sail across the Wadden Sea (part of the North Sea) to the island of Texel.

Day 3: Texel, roundtrip from/to Oudeschild (43 km/26 mi. or 49 km/30 mi.)

The island of Texel is a cyclist’s dream destination with its varied scenery, well signposted cycle tracks and picturesque villages. Our suggestion is to complete a round trip cycling tour of the largest of the Dutch North Sea islands that takes you via a number of villages, the seal sanctuary station “Ecomare” and a traditional beer brewery near the harbor of Oudeschild.

Day 4: Texel – Terschelling (sailing about 5 – 6 hrs.)

Today you will enjoy sailing on your ship, when the tide and the weather are right, to the island of Terschelling. As you sail your way through the sandbanks of the Wadden Sea, keep a lookout for seals on the sandbars. In the afternoon the ship will arrive on Terschelling island, 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. 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 roundtrip, (cycling distance of your choice) | sailing Terschelling – Harlingen 

While the previous day was all about sailing, today is all about cycling. Terschelling has plenty to offer cycle tourists: nature and culture, 70 km of cycling tracks and 4 beautiful villages. West Terschelling is the largest village on the island and features a number of nice shops and pubs. The standout landmark on the island is the 400 year-old lighthouse “Brandaris” that can be seen from well off in the distance. Also worth visiting is the heath land of “Boschplaat” which will captivate you with its mud, beaches and dunes. You might even spot ducks, black-winged stilts, 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 (48 km/29 mi. or 58 km/36 mi.)

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 (32 km/19 mi. or 49 km/30 mi.) | sailing to Enkhuizen 

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 tour runs 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 afternoon.

Day 8: Enkhuizen

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.30 a.m.

Good to know
  • Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
  • On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned.
  • If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
  • The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
  • On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am.

 

Important observations for the Sail & Bike program: A little bit of adventure is a part of every Sail & Bike tour: the departure and arrival day and the location – Enkhuizen – are a certainty, 100%. For the rest, the planned daily sailing routes are partially dependent on the strength and direction of the winds and – on the Wadden Sea – high and low tide. The skipper decides the best route to be taken day by day, and discusses the options with his guests. The crew does everything in its power to enable the program to run according to plan and to offer you as fascinating, varied and active a 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.


The bicycles of Boat Bike Tours

Always the best rental bikes

The rental bikes on our ships are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. These are stable and dependable bikes, good for miles in the saddle. Decide which kind of bike you want to rent and simply fill in your preference with your reservation. We’ll make sure you get the right bike for you. On most of our tours, the bike rental cost is not included in the tour’s price.

Every Boat Bike Tour rental bike is well equipped. The bikes consist of a lightweight aluminum frame and have highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds, an adjustable gel seat, normal flat pedals (no clips), an easy-to-use lock attached to the frame, and special puncture-resistant tires. All told, this is a light, stable and reliable bike, very suitable for touring long distances pleasantly.

Our e-bikes also have at least seven speeds and handbrakes. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame, and sport anti-puncture tires. Note that some of the ships have their own bikes on board. They may look a bit different, but qualitatively they are equal to Boat Bike Tours’s e-bikes.

Bicycle helmets
The use of bicycle helmets is not required in the Netherlands, but for safety’s sake they are suggested. If you wish to rent one, you can do so during the booking process. If you book a premium tour and rent a bike or e-bike, then the helmet and a “limit of liability for damage or loss” for your bike or e-bike is included in the rental price.

Other rental items
Other items such as children’s bikes, tandems, family tandems (child & adult), tag-along, trailers to carry toddlers and child seats are available on request.

Taking your own bike or e-bike?
The fee for parking your own bicycle is €10 per week. For an e-bike the fee is €25 to cover parking and charging the battery. For safety reasons it is not always possible to charge your e-bike batteries in your cabin. The crew will tell you where you can charge the battery on board the ship. Neither the crew nor Boat Bike tours is responsible in any way for any damage, loss or theft of a guest’s own bike or e-bike or its accessories. Note: not all the ships are suitable or have enough room for extra bikes, so make sure you check with us well ahead of travel.

Cyclists in a green landscape

Touring bikes

Our bicycles have a lightweight aluminum frame and are furnished with highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds and a gel seat whose height can be adjusted. Attached to the frame is an easy-to-use lock and the wheels carry puncture-resistant tires.

E-bikes

Our e-bikes also have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame and special anti-puncture tires.

Taking your own bicycle

It is possible to take your own bike or e-bike with you, as long as it doesn’t have mirrors or other elements that stick out. There’s only limited space available on board for guests’ bikes. You can reserve a place for your bike for a small fee. Boat Bike tours is not responsible for damage to your bike or for theft.


Prices & availability

To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.

Below you see an overview of the available (blue) dates; the yellow dot means that this date has 2 or less cabins available, orange is ‘on request’ and red means that on this date there aren’t any cabins available. Then click on the preferred date. After this, choose your ship (some tours have only one ship, and therefore there is no choice), the number of cabins in the required (and available) category, any desired additional products, and ‘local costs’ (such as special dietary needs, which you usually pay for onboard). On the right side, you’ll find the ‘Booking Summary.’ After completing your preferences and necessary information click ‘Book now’ to finalize your booking.

  • Available
  • 2 or less available
  • On request
  • Not available
Departure date -

Choose preferred ship

Please select your cabin(s)


Prices & information

Pricing overview - 2023
Cabin type For April 22 - May 7 & Sept 9 - 17 May 13 - Sept. 8 Sept. 23 - Oct. 1
Small Twin cabin (Leafde, max 1) 2 pers. € 939 € 1029 € 869 Twin cabin 2 pers. € 1139 € 1229 € 1069 Junior Suite (Leafde/Mare, max 1) 2 pers. € 1339 € 1429 € 1269 Single cabin (Leafde/Mare, max 1) 1 pers. € 1439 € 1529 € 1369 Twin for single use (max 2) 1 pers. € 1673.50 € 1808.50 € 1568.50
Pricing overview - 2024
Cabin type For Season A Season B Season C Season D Season E Season F
Small Twin cabin (max 1) 2 pers. Not available Not available € 1169 € 1069 Not available € 949 Twin cabin 2 pers. € 1199 € 1299 € 1369 € 1269 € 1099 € 1149 Junior Suite (Leafde/Mare, max 1) 2 pers. € 1399 € 1499 € 1569 € 1469 € 1299 € 1349 Suite upper deck 2 pers. Not available Not available € 1869 € 1769 Not available € 1649 Single cabin (Leafde/Mare, max 1) 1 pers. € 1499 € 1599 € 1669 € 1569 € 1399 € 1449 (Small) Twin for single use (max 1) 1 pers. € 1798.50 € 1948.50 € 2053.50 € 1903.50 € 1648.50 € 1723.50
Included in this tour
  • 8 days/7 nights
  • 7 x breakfast
  • 5 x packed lunches & 1 x lunch on board
  • 6 x 3-course dinner on board & 1 x packed dinner
  • Coffee and tea on board
  • Welcome drink
  • Use of bed linen and towels
  • Daily cleaning of the cabin
  • Daily briefings by the crew
  • BBT-cycling map and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
  • GPS tracks
  • Use of a waterproof pannier bag
  • Biodegradable water bottle
  • Wi-Fi
  • Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit
Excluded in this tour
  • Drinks
  • Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
  • Helmet rental
  • Personal insurances
  • Gratuities (at your discretion)
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • Fees for ferries
  • Transfers to/from the docking place
  • Parking fees
  • SGR Insolvency protection
Bicycles/E-Bikes
  • The bicycles on board is a unisex city bike with a low-entry and a riding position that is upright and comfortable. The bike is handmade in the Netherlands by Azor, specially designed by Boat Bike Tours. The bike consists of a lightweight aluminum frame and is equipped with responsive roller brakes (handbrake), a Shimano 7 speed nexus drive, Selle-Royal gel saddle (adjustable), an easy to use lock (fixed on frame) and the Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyre. This all results in a lightweight, stable and reliable bike, good for many miles on the saddle.
  • The E-bike is an Azor Steps with Nexus 7 gears and hand brakes. The crank Shimano motor (400 WH) offers 4 support levels, The E-bikes have a comfortable gel saddle and a lock on the frame (or a comparable brand/model).
  • Bicycle rent is optional. Guests are also allowed to bring their own bicycles/e-bikes (limited number of parking places available). Guests can book a parking place for a normal bicycle or a parking and charge station for an e-bike for a small additional fee. For safety reasons it is no longer possible to charge the batteries of your own e-bikes in the cabin. The crew will inform you where on deck/ on board you can recharge your battery. However, the crew or tour operators are in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of guests own bicycles or e-bikes.
  • Prices of other bikes (e.g. children’s bikes, “slip streamers”/tag-a-long, tandem bicycles etc. and child’s saddles (rear) are on request.
Additional options & information - 2023

2023:

  • Rental bicycle: €90 per week
  • Rental E-Bike: €195 per week (only on request, limited number available)
  • HelmetsA helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.
  • Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle €10/week (only bookable in advance)
  • Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike €25/week (only bookable in advance)
  • Please click on this link for more information
  • Parking own bicycle: €10 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
  • Parking + charge station own E-Bike: €25 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
  • Please click on this link for more information about the rental and own bicycles/E-bikes
  • Parking Enkhuizen: Parking behind the NS-train station in Enkhuizen is free, but can be very crowded.

 

Additional options & information - 2024

2024:

  • Rental bicycle: €90 per week
  • Rental E-Bike: €225 per week (only on request, limited number available)
  • HelmetsA helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.
  • Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle €10/week
  • Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike €25/week
  • Please click on this link for more information
  • Parking own bicycle: €10 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
  • Parking own E-Bike: €25 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
  • Please click on this link for more information about the rental and own bicycles/E-bikes
  • Parking Enkhuizen: Parking behind the NS-train station in Enkhuizen is free, but can be very crowded.

 



Reviews

based on 45 reviews on
19 Sep 2022

Teresa

I’ve already filled out your paperwork on my trip pls leave me alone

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 19 Sep 2022

Hi Teresa, We’re so sorry to hear your experience was less than 5-stars and did not meet your expectations. Please help us improve by providing us with more information. If you’re open to discussing your experience further, we can be reached at +31 20 72 35 400 / [email protected] Warm regards, Romy

13 Sep 2022

cor smit

Great experience, the combination of sailing, biking, dining and breakfast. Helping to hoist the huge sails was an extra thrill. The self-serve bar gave it an at home feeling. We experienced a lovely relaxed atmosphere. The crew are a very important part of the package. We had an amazing crew, couldn’t have asked for more!!……. Not to forget the beautiful places we visited by bike and boat.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 21 Sep 2022

Hi Cor, We’re so happy that you have enjoyed your tour on board of the Leafde fan Fryslan. We strives to deliver the best customer experience, and it makes our day to know we have accomplished just that. Best, Romy

18 Aug 2022

Allison Milnes

Absolutely great holiday on board a very comfortable sailing vessel with daily cycle rides through the Frisian landscape, visiting villages and small towns. Great mix of cycling and boat travel, where possible under sail, and culture with opportunities to visit museums and galleries. Comfortable accommodation and good meals provided on board. Highly recommended.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 22 Sep 2022

Thank you very much for your positive review and rating. These are beautiful words and we really appreciate you providing us with this positive feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back on board in the future. Kind regards, Boat Bike Tours Team.

7 Aug 2022

Penny Picken

Just returned from a fabulous trip on the Mare fan Frieslan. Lovely cycling on the islands of Texel and Terschelling, swimming in the beautiful sea and following smooth tracks through sunlit woods. Great crew – always went the extra mile. Fabulous food – good as any 3 star restaurant. Thanks to Petr, Jorik, Tiemu, Marvin and Mathys for making our holiday so very good.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 22 Sep 2022

Thank you Penny for your review, we’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and found our staff helpful. It’s always great when we can help guests make the most of their time with us! I’ll let Petr, Jorik, Tiemu, Marvin and Mathys know from your positive review. Looking forward to welcoming you back on board again. Warm regards, Romy


Available ships for this tour

Sail & Bike ship Leafde fan Fryslân Netherlands

Jacuzzi

Third bed available

Openable windows in cabins

Sailing surface 760m2

max. 25 passengers
13 cabins
2 tours available with this ship
Sail & Bike ship Mare fan Fryslân Netherlands

Jacuzzi

Cozy bar and lounge

Three masted ship

Teakwood deck

max. 41 passengers
14 cabins
2 tours available with this ship
Sail & Bike ship Wapen fan Fryslân Netherlands

Jacuzzi

Cozy bar and lounge

Third bed available

Openable windows in cabins

max. 36 passengers
12 cabins
1 tours available with this ship

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Netherlands: Sail & Bike Wadden Sea

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