Whisper boat
An electric whisper boat that you steer with the motor. Quiet and simple to operate, for a trip through the village or across the lakes. You do not need a boating licence.
Arendshorst Buitenactiviteiten
boats, canoes, bikes & more
Arendshorst Buitenactiviteiten on the Beulakerweg in Giethoorn hires out electric boats, punters (traditional wooden boats), canoes, kayaks and bikes, and sails through the village with a covered tour boat. On land you can play mini golf and try archery.
On the water and on land
At Arendshorst you put together your own day in Giethoorn, relaxed or active. You hire an electric boat, a traditional punter or a canoe to see the village and surroundings from the water, or you step aboard the tour boat. Afterwards you can cycle, play a round of mini golf or try archery, and have a drink on the terrace at the kiosk on the water.
- Whisper boat, console boat and Wiede sloop (electric boat) with no boating licence needed
- Traditional punter, canoes and kayaks
- Boat tour in a heated, covered tour boat
- Bike, e-bike, children’s bike and bikes with child seats
- Mini golf on an 18-hole course and archery
- Packages for families, friends and groups
- Kiosk with a terrace on the water
At Arendshorst Buitenactiviteiten you can hire whisper boats and sloops, go punting, hire canoes and kayaks, take a boat tour, hire bikes and e-bikes, play mini golf, try archery and have a drink on a terrace on the water.
You reserve boats, canoes, the boat tour, bikes, mini golf, archery and packages online on the Arendshorst booking page. There you can see for each day what is still available.
Hiring electric boats
Arendshorst hires out three kinds of electric boat. You do not need a boating licence for any of them. Cushions and life jackets for children are provided, and along the way you can use a navigation app. You hire a boat for 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours or for a whole day.
Turfgraver console boat
An electric console boat with a steering wheel and seat cushions. You sit comfortably and steer as in a car. You do not need a boating licence for this one either.
Wiede sloop
An electric sloop with luxury seat cushions for 8 people, or up to 10 if small children come along. Suitable for a family or group. You reserve this sloop by phone.
Routes
Five boating routes from the Beulakerweg
On departure you get a route map with five boating routes in and around Giethoorn. Arendshorst asks you to read the map and the boating instructions before you set off; the instructions are available in Dutch and English. Along the way the navigation app helps you find your way.
- Route map with five boating routes
- Boating instructions in Dutch and English
- Navigation app for along the way
- Cushions and children’s life jackets available
Punting and paddling
Punter, canoe and kayak
If you want to propel yourself, you hire a traditional punter and push yourself through the water with the punting pole, as they used to do in Giethoorn. A punter is for up to 6 people. Would you rather paddle? Arendshorst hires out kayaks for 1 or 2 people and Canadian canoes for 3 people. You hire them by the hour.
- Traditional punter (up to 6 people)
- 1-person kayak
- 2-person kayak
- 3-person Canadian canoe
Boat tour
LoungeCruise through Giethoorn
Would you rather not sail yourself? On the LoungeCruise you sail for over an hour in a covered, heated tour boat past the well-known places in Giethoorn. A skipper tells you about the village along the way. Because the boat is covered and heated, you can also come along in less good weather. The boat tour sails from 4 participants.
- Covered and heated tour boat
- Skipper who tells you about Giethoorn
- Over an hour of sailing
- From 4 participants
Cycling
Hiring a bike or e-bike
From Arendshorst you can cycle straight into Giethoorn and the surroundings. You hire a bike with gears or an e-bike with pedal assistance, by the hour or for a whole day. For children there is a 24-inch children’s bike, suitable from a height of about 130 centimetres (8 to 10 years). If you are setting off with small children, you can hire a bike or e-bike with child seats; you reserve these by phone.
- Bike with gears
- E-bike with pedal assistance
- 24-inch children’s bike
- Bike or e-bike with child seats
Mini golf and archery
On the Arendshorst grounds there are a mini golf course and a place to shoot a hand bow. You can book them separately or combine them with a boat trip or bike ride.
About 1 hour
Mini golf
A competition round on the 18-hole mini golf course, in the greenery beside the water. You can play with just 1 person.
About 15 minutes
Archery
You get an explanation of archery and then shoot a competition round of 10 arrows, with a prize-giving for the winner.
Terrace on the water
At the Arendshorst self-service kiosk you sit on a terrace on the water. You can have a drink or a small bite to eat there, before or after your activity.
Packages and group outings
A day out with your family, friends or colleagues? The Arendshorst booking page lists packages that combine boating and activities on land, also with a snack or drink. If you want your own combination, Arendshorst will tailor the programme to your party; get in touch about this.
Practical information
- AddressBeulakerweg 169b, 8355 AG Giethoorn
- Reservationsonline via the booking page; the Wiede sloop and bikes with child seats by phone
- Parkingfree for guests at Arendshorst
- Boating licencenot needed for the whisper boats, console boats and sloops
- Childrenchildren’s life jackets on board, children’s bike and bikes with child seats for hire
- Along the wayroute map with five boating routes and a navigation app
Frequently asked questions about Arendshorst Buitenactiviteiten
Do you need a boating licence at Arendshorst?
No. You do not need a boating licence for the whisper boats, console boats and sloops of Arendshorst. You get a route map with five boating routes and there is a navigation app for along the way.
How many people can you hire a boat for?
The whisper boat is for 1 to 6 people, the Turfgraver console boat for 1 to 7 people and the Wiede sloop for 8 people, or up to 10 if small children come along. A traditional punter is for up to 6 people.
How long can you hire a boat for?
On the booking page you choose 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours or a whole day. You also hire canoes and kayaks by the hour.
How do you reserve at Arendshorst?
You reserve boats, canoes, the boat tour, bikes, mini golf, archery and packages online via the Arendshorst booking page at arendshorst.giethoorn.com. You reserve the Wiede sloop and bikes with child seats by phone.
Can you also take a boat tour at Arendshorst?
Yes. With the LoungeCruise you sail for over an hour through Giethoorn in a heated, covered tour boat. A skipper tells you about the village along the way. The boat tour sails from 4 participants.
What can you do on land at Arendshorst?
You can hire a bike, e-bike or children’s bike, play mini golf on an 18-hole course and try archery with instruction and a competition round of 10 arrows. You can combine these activities with boating.
Where do you park at Arendshorst?
Guests park for free at Arendshorst at Beulakerweg 169b in Giethoorn.
Can you visit Arendshorst with a group?
Yes. For family, friends or colleagues you can combine activities into a group outing. You book a few packages online; for other combinations, contact Arendshorst.