Boating Trip Westeinderplassen

On board in Aalsmeer

The Westeinderplassen include a vast peat and lake area, covering an area of over 10 ^km2. They have traditionally been popular with water sports enthusiasts, so there are about 50 marinas on the lakes. The starting point of our cruise is the beautiful village of Aalsmeer, here you will board the salon boat.

Islets and growers

We are sailing south on the ring canal. This canal circles the entire Haarlemmermeer polder and passes by Kaag, Hillegom, Heemstede, Zwanenburg and Schiphol-Oost. To our right runs the Aalsmeerderdijk, to the left we see endless islands. These are old legacies, the pieces of land on which the excavated bog was left to dry. Most of these islands are privately owned. There used to be summer cottages here and there, but today only day recreation is allowed. Some are designated for public recreation. Many pieces of land are home to growers, who grow lilacs and snowballs, among other things. It is sometimes one big sea of colors there.

Sailing on the border

We leave the dike behind and cross the big lake. Over starboard we head toward Leimuiden, then follow the east bank, past Calslagen. The Westeinderplassen are in North Holland, but we sail pretty much on the border. When you land here, you are in South Holland.

From fortress to tower

We are approaching Fort Kudelstaart. This fort is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, the ring of defenses around the capital that was placed on the Unesco World Heritage List in 1996. Completed in 1906, the fort barely served during the war due to the rise of aircraft.
Looking a little further along the shore, there stands proudly and proudly the water tower of Aalsmeer. This handsome Art Deco-style structure was built in 1928 and operated until 1994. The 51-meter-high water tower can be climbed and offers stunning views. The tower is also an official wedding location of the municipality of Aalsmeer.

Flower City Aalsmeer

We sail back along the south side of islands and rejoin the ring canal, which takes us back to Aalsmeer. Are you still looking for a suitable venue for a dinner or wedding party? Aalsmeer has several good restaurants where we can dock with the salon boat. You can also combine your boat trip with a visit to the Aalsmeer flower auction, the world’s largest of its kind, or the Historical Garden Aalsmeer.