Small whisper boat
A compact boat with a flat bottom and a quiet electric motor. It sits steadily on the water and is easy to steer. On a full battery you can sail for about eight hours.
Recreatiebedrijf Geythorn
boat hire and snack bar on the village canal
Recreatiebedrijf Geythorn is on the Binnenpad, on the village canal in the centre of Giethoorn. You hire a whisper boat, sloop (electric boat), canoe or kayak here and sail straight under the little bridges towards the De Wieden nature reserve. After your trip you can eat at the company’s own snack bar and the restaurant on the water.
Hiring a boat on the Binnenpad
Geythorn is a family business that began with a snack van and a small picnic field by the water. It now hires out boats from two places on the Binnenpad: here at number 42 and at Broer Botenverhuur at number 16, about 200 metres further on. When you arrive you speak to a member of staff, who explains the boat and the route. Then you sail off from the jetty onto the village canal.
- Whisper boats for up to 4 or 7 people
- Electric sloops for up to 5 or 6 people
- Canadian canoes and kayaks
- Punters (traditional wooden boats) and sailing punters at the Broer location
- Hire from 2 hours, by the half day, by the day or for several days
- Snack bar and restaurant on the boating route
- School trip package and boat tours for large groups
At Recreatiebedrijf Geythorn you can hire a whisper boat or sloop, go canoeing and kayaking, go punting with a group or school class, have something to eat or drink, and have lunch or dinner on the water.
No boating licence needed: all the boats are easy to steer, even if you have never sailed before.
The Geythorn boats
At Binnenpad 42 you will find whisper boats, sloops, canoes and kayaks. The boats with a motor are electric and sail almost silently. You hire the punters and sailing punters from Broer Botenverhuur, which has a fleet of 22 punters.
Large whisper boat
The same simple whisper boat in a larger version, for a family or a group of friends. This boat also sails for about eight hours on a full battery.
Sloop
A spacious electric sloop with a small tiller, cushions and a flat bottom. It comes in two versions, for up to 5 or up to 6 people.
Canoe and kayak
A Canadian canoe for 2 or 3 people or a kayak for 1 person. You paddle through the village or into the nature reserve and hire by the day or for several days.
How it works
Instructions, route map and extras
Before you sail off, a member of staff explains how the boat works and which route you can take. Every boat comes with a route map of Giethoorn, so you can find your own way through the village and towards De Wieden. Along the way you can moor at a jetty for lunch or visit one of the museums in the village.
The water in the canals is about one metre deep. Children without a swimming certificate always get a life jacket. You put a pram, buggy or Maxi-Cosi on the bottom of the boat.
- Food and drinks can be added to your boat booking
- Life jackets and a cushion set for hire
- Multi-day hire for a weekend, midweek break or week on request
Snack bar and restaurant
Food and drink on the water
Geythorn began as a small snack van with a picnic field. A cafeteria was added later, where you can also sit indoors, and then a restaurant.
The business lies right on the boating route at Binnenpad 42. You can moor your boat here for a short break during your trip, for lunch, or to end the day with dinner. There is also room for families and groups on the terrace on the water.
- Snack bar for a quick bite
- Simple meals
- Lunch and dinner in the restaurant
- Terrace on the water
- Moor your boat right at the door
Groups and schools
School trip with a punter and puzzle trail
Geythorn has welcomed school classes for years. The school trip package starts with a welcome. Experienced instructors then teach the pupils how to sail a real Giethoorn punter, and the class sets off on a puzzle trail through the village. After the boats are handed back there is time for a walk along the canals, where you pass shops, a pottery, a gallery and several museums. The day ends back at Geythorn with a meal.
The package is available from 10 people, with a punter, a kayak or a whisper boat. You agree the times and the order of the programme with Geythorn. For large groups Geythorn also organises boat tours.
- Welcome with a drink
- Punter with instruction
- Boating map with a marked puzzle route and booklet
- Walk through the village
- Meal afterwards
Mindful boating in Giethoorn
Geythorn is part of Old Giethoorn, a partnership of businesses in Giethoorn Noord and Giethoorn Midden: boat hire companies, restaurants, hotels, a museum and leisure businesses. They want to show visitors the quiet character of the village and spread the crowds better.
- With the Leave no Trace campaign you get a small bag on board when you hire a boat, so you can bring your rubbish back with you
- A QR code tells you more about the nature, water quality and biodiversity in Giethoorn and Weerribben-Wieden National Park
- There is attention for invasive species in the water, such as floating pennywort and the American crayfish
Practical information
- AddressBinnenpad 42, 8355 BS Giethoorn, on the village canal
- Second locationBroer Botenverhuur, Binnenpad 16, 8355 BR Giethoorn, with the punters and sailing punters
- Parkingcar park at Binnenpad 14, 8355 BP; then over the little bridge and along the Binnenpad
- On foot from the centrefollow the Ds. Hylkemaweg to behind the church, cross the high bridge and follow the village canal; after the second high bridge you will see Geythorn on the left
- By bikeyou can leave your bike at both locations; Geythorn is an official ANWB charging point for electric bikes
- Reservationsyou can reserve in advance; for questions, multi-day hire and groups call 0521 36 19 54
Frequently asked questions about Recreatiebedrijf Geythorn
Do you need a boating licence at Recreatiebedrijf Geythorn?
No. You do not need a boating licence for any of the Geythorn boats. Before you set off you get an explanation of the boat and the route, and you are given a route map.
How many people can you hire a boat for?
The whisper boats take up to 4 or up to 7 people, the sloops up to 5 or 6 people. A Canadian canoe is for 2 or 3 people and a kayak for 1 person. You hire punters and sailing punters at the second location, Broer Botenverhuur.
How long can you hire a boat for?
You hire a whisper boat or sloop from 2 hours, for part of a day or a whole day. Canoes and kayaks are hired by the day. If you want a boat for a weekend, a midweek break or a week, ask Geythorn.
Is boating at Geythorn suitable for small children?
Yes. The canals are about one metre deep. Children without a swimming certificate always get a life jacket, and you can put a pram, buggy or Maxi-Cosi on the bottom of the boat.
Where do you park for Recreatiebedrijf Geythorn?
In the car park at Binnenpad 14 (8355 BP). Then walk to the village canal, cross the little bridge and follow the Binnenpad. After about 250 metres you will see Geythorn on the right, with a large terrace, parasols and flags.
Can you moor your boat at the snack bar?
Yes. The Geythorn snack bar and restaurant are right on the boating route, so you can moor during or after your trip for a snack or a meal.
Why should you check the address on your reservation?
Geythorn hires out boats from two places on the Binnenpad: Geythorn at number 42 and Broer Botenverhuur at number 16. Your reservation shows which location your boat is waiting at.
Can you cancel a reservation?
Cancelling follows the terms of the rental company. If you have questions about your reservation, contact Geythorn on 0521 36 19 54.