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Sailing in the city center of Amsterdam on King's Day

Sailing through the canals of Amsterdam on King's Day is of course great fun. Watching the Orange crowd from the water is something special. There are a number of rules on the water that every skipper must take into account.
Marcelo Verfe

10-meter boat length rule

Only boats shorter than 10 meters are allowed to sail in the city center of Amsterdam on King's Day. The rule also applies to pleasure boats longer than 10 meters that are already in the canal before King's Day. Even then, you are not allowed to sail through the city center on April 27.

Vignette

Every year it is busy on certain waterways that provide access to the city center, such as Oosterdok, Amstel and Westerdok. Make sure that you have the correct, activated vignette, to promote traffic flow on these waterways. On this website you can buy a vignette.

One-way traffic on the canals

One-way traffic applies on the Prinsengracht, Singel, the Singelgracht (between Weteringstraat and the Amstel), Oudeschans, Oudezijds Voorburgwal, and on the Nieuwe Herengracht. View on this website for the correct sailing direction. Here you will also find an overview of all entry bans, obstructions and bridge operations.

Safe sailing

Make sure you don't allow too many people on your boat. This keeps the situation on and around the boat safe.

The most important sailing rules for King's Day in Amsterdam at a glance

• Only boats shorter than 10 are allowed to sail in the city center on King's Day.
• Make sure you have an activated vignette.
• Do not sail faster than 6 kilometers per hour.
• Keep as much to the right as possible (starboard bank).
• Be considerate of the neighborhood: no amplified music, no shouting
• Do not drink alcohol while operating the boat. You are a road user.
• Don't take priority, but grant priority.
 

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