Sail & Bike

Ijsselmeer · Netherlands

From 1219 €

self-guided

Islandhopping
Cycling Tours
Sail & Bike Holland Ijsselmeer | Self-guided bike tour in Holland

Route
from Amsterdam / to Amsterdam

Duration
8 days /
7 nights

Distance
approx.
210 km

Level 1 - 2

Level 1
Easy cycling tours suitable for islandhoppers who are confident on their bikes but prefer riding on flatter terrain (15-30km and 200 elevation meters per day).

Level 1 - 2
Easy to moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who have a good basic level of fitness (20-35km and up to 200-400 elevation meters per day).

Level 2
Moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who cycle regularly and feel comfortable with longer climbs (25-40km and 300-500 elevation meters per day).

Level 2 -3
Moderate to demanding cycling tours through hilly to mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who like a challenge (30-50km and 400-700 elevation meters per day).

Level 3
Demanding cycling tours through hilly and mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who can take on steeper climbs (30-60km and 400-800 elevation meter per day).

Self-guided sail and bike experience on the Ijsselmeer

Sail & Bike along the coast of the Ijsselmeer: Once part of the salty sea, this impressive body of water is now the largest freshwater lake in Holland! Discover this unique area of the Netherlands on two-wheels along wonderful cycling paths and on board a magnificent and comfortably furnished sailing ship. Along the banks, picturesque harbour and trading towns, centuries-old polders (fields of reclaimed land below sea level) and beautiful inland villages are still witness to the regions rich seafaring past. The fresh-water Ijsselmeer is now home to a vast variety of birds, plants, and fish. On this Sail & Bike tour, you visit many of these historical towns and polders on both the western and eastern banks of the Ijsselmeer as well as a number of Dutch national parks, traveling as far as the province of Overijssel. No sailing experience is required, just a desire to give it a go.

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Highlights

Nature: Broek in the Waterland region - a settlement developed on bog land

Culture: Visit one of the museums, where the works of the great Dutch masters are exhibited

Activity: Free as the wind! Sailing between Enkhuizen and Urk

Culinary: Poffertjes and Stroopwafel are "lekker" Dutch specialities

Souvenir: Dutch cheese and Appelstroop

Itinerary

Individual arrival in Amsterdam. The crew welcomes you on board at 2 pm. Once all guests have checked in, the ship sails (by motor) to Volendam. Once on land again in one of the former fishing villages, you can enjoy a short warm-up cycle through the rural nature reserve of Waterland with its many villages.

A very Dutch start to the day: you cycle to a nearby, family-run cheese and clog shop for a short demonstration on cheese and clog making and, of course, a cheese tasting. You then continue on along the dikes to Purmerend, located in the heart of the polder De Beemster, 11 ½ ft. (3.5 m) below sea level. This sunken tract of land was created more than 400 years ago, when the Dutch transformed an inland lake into pasture. Divided into a tight geometric pattern of squares and rectangles, it has been recognized by UNESCO as “a creative masterpiece”. The next destination of the day is the lovely town of Edam, whose lanes and canals are the perfect place for a stroll. Edam is known worldwide for its cheese covered in red or yellow wax. This practical solution keeps the cheese fresh for a long time and allowed 17th century sailors to take it with them on their voyages or to trade it for spices and other treasures in the East. After the break in Edam, you head along the main Ijsselmeer dike to the ship which awaits you on the Volendam promenade. Here, there will be enough time to visit the souvenir shops. In the evening, the ship sails to Hoorn.

Today’s ride leads through small rural hamlets and villages to Enkhuizen. Along the way, you pass by the De Krijgsman windmill (The Warrior), the tallest windmill in the province of North-Holland and one of a handful of old Dutch windmills still used to produce flour commercially. The area is also known for its many greenhouses, in which various vegetables are grown. In the 17th century, Enkhuizen was one of the wealthiest cities in Holland, thanks to its harbour that shipped then-costly spices from Asia. Here you are sure to be impressed by the stately mansions, canals, churches, and city walls that to this day reflect the city’s history and wealth. Weather permitting, we sail across the Ijsselmeer to the port of Urk in the afternoon. Feel free to help the captain sail the ship or simply sit back on deck and enjoy the crossing, keeping watch for marine bird life. In the evening there is plenty of time for a stroll through the narrow streets and alleyways in the town of Urk. The houses in the picturesque fishing village where built close to one another on elevated ground to protect them from flooding, an engineering feat that is still visible today.

After breakfast, you cycle along the lake on a tarmac cycle path to the former island of Schokland. Schokland, like Urk, lost its status as an island in 1942 when the Northeast polder (Noordoostpolder) was reclaimed from the sea. Surrounded by the reclaimed land, Schokland is now just a slightly higher part of the polder and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. From Schokland, you cycle on across the polder to the city of Vollenhove, which also once lay on the coast of the Zuiderzee before the creation of the Noordoostpolder.

Today’s bike tour leads along cycle paths through open countryside to the small town of Blokzijl. From here you enter the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, the largest freshwater wetland in northwestern Europe and a peaceful oasis for plants, animals, and humans. A bicycle path through the center of the park takes you far away from roads, immersing you in the tranquility of the region. Keep your eyes peeled for a fleeting kingfisher or - if you’re really lucky - an otter, the symbol of the park. Cycling on, you pass through Kalenberg, a village that until the 1950’s could only be reached by boat. A twisting route through agricultural landscape of narrow strip fields surrounded by dikes leads you to the lovely town of Giethoorn, known as “small Venice of the North”.

Today there is a full day of sailing and relaxing on board to look forward to. Once again, you are welcome to help the captain sail the ship. Otherwise feel free to simply sit back on deck and relax. In the early afternoon, the ship arrives in Lelystad, the capital of the province of Flevoland, a region almost entirely reclaimed from the sea. Here you can stretch your legs and visit the Batavia Wharf, an extraordinary shipyard where ships with an important maritime history are returned to their former glory. There is also time to go shopping at Batavia Stad, an outlet center with a number of the famous brands.

In the morning, you disembark for the last half day of cycling. Today’s tour leads through the Oostvaardersplassen – a wonderful nature reserve that truly mixes new with old: Created on new polder land it has been left to find its own natural balance with the hope that a self-sustaining ecosystem with almost pre-human biodiversity will result. Sections of the tour lead through forested areas, while others open out to panoramic views of expansive reed beds and marshes. The area is a birdwatchers’ paradise! After the tour, the ship awaits you in the small harbour of Oostvaardersdiep for the return voyage to Amsterdam. The weeklong Ijsselmeer adventure comes to an end with a celebrative farewell dinner onboard.

The tour ends with a delicious breakfast on board. Disembarkation afterwards until 9.30 am. Individual trip home or extended stay in Amsterdam.

Accommodation

Elizabeth (Tall Ships)

The majestic three-mast tall ship, Elizabeth, was formerly a river vessel used for the transport of basalt rocks and sugar beets. The transformation into a passenger boat was executed with great care. The focus was to keep as much of the original characteristics of the flat-bottomed ship as possible as this enables Elizabeth to sail in extremely shallow waters. With all sails set, the total sail surface comes in at a staggering 445 m².

The renovations to a passenger ship insured a sophisticated interior. The large saloon is inviting and provides its guests a great atmosphere, with a…

Rental Bikes

Rental bikes Boat Bike Tours

The rental bikes on board are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. They are locally produced and specially made by the Dutch quality manufacturer Azor. The bikes are equipped with drum brakes and a Shimano hub gear system. A waterproof bike bag is also provided. Watch You-Tube Video for more details:…

Touring bikes

The touring bikes 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

The rental e-bikes 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.…

rental bikes
Touring bikes
E-bikes
Private bikes

Services, Dates & Prices

The below calendar lists the basic cruise price per person. The final cruise price depends on cabin type, cabin occupancy and any additional optional services. The prices for additional optional services are listed below the travel calendar. The green checkmark indicates that the trip is secured.

Time Period	Tour	Country	Accommodation	Route	Availability	Price from The final price is dependent on the type of cabin, the number of guests staying in the cabin and any additional services booked.
June 2025
21.06. Comfirmed departure 21.06. – 28.06.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1219,00 €	To Booking
28.06. Comfirmed departure 28.06. – 05.07.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1319,00 €	To Booking
07.06. Comfirmed departure 07.06. – 14.06.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1319,00 €	To Booking
14.06. Comfirmed departure 14.06. – 21.06.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	< 3 Cabins left	1319,00 €	secure last spots
July 2025
12.07. Comfirmed departure 12.07. – 19.07.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1219,00 €	To Booking
05.07. Comfirmed departure 05.07. – 12.07.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1219,00 €	To Booking
19.07. Comfirmed departure 19.07. – 26.07.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1319,00 €	To Booking
26.07. Comfirmed departure 26.07. – 02.08.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1319,00 €	To Booking
August 2025
09.08. Comfirmed departure 09.08. – 16.08.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1319,00 €	To Booking
30.08. Comfirmed departure 30.08. – 06.09.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1319,00 €	To Booking
September 2025
13.09. Comfirmed departure 13.09. – 20.09.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	< 3 Cabins left	1099,00 €	secure last spots
20.09. Comfirmed departure 20.09. – 27.09.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1099,00 €	To Booking
06.09. Comfirmed departure 06.09. – 13.09.	Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer	Netherlands	Elizabeth	Amsterdam, Pontsteiger bis Amsterdam, Pontsteiger	available	1219,00 €	To Booking

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8-day trip on a tall ship with crew
7 nights in a twin cabin with shower/toilet
Welcome drink
Full board (7x breakfast, 6 x packed lunch, 7x dinner)
Daily briefings with the crew
Bed linen and towels (change of towels on request); cabin cleaning (once a week)
Wi-Fi/WLAN connection available onboard
Daily complimentary coffee and tea on board
Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin) + GPS tracks
Biodegradable water bottle
Use of a waterproof pannier bag

Journey to/from Amsterdam
Transfer to/from the docking place in Amsterdam
Parking fee (own car etc.)
Beverages on board (tally sheet, to be paid to the captain)
Beach towel for use away from ship (please bring your own if needed)
Beverages & meals ashore
Entrance fees & excursions
Fees for ferries
Rental helmet
Personal (travel) insurances
Tips for crew
SGR Insolvency protection (5€ per person)

⇒ SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person - will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)

Double cabin for single use	Surcharge: 50% of the basic tour price
Rental bike with pannier	Hybrid bicycle: 91 euro/week E-bike: 245 euro/week (on request, limited availability)
Limitation of liability (damage) Rental bike	Rental hybrid bike: 14 euro/week Rental e-bike: 28 euro/week
Rental helmet (payment with booking)	10 euro per week
Onboard space for own bicycle (only a limited number of spaces are available; reservation with booking)	14 euro per week
Onboard space + charge station for own e-bike (only a limited number of spaces available; reservation with booking)	28 euro per week
Parking Amsterdam (Valet Parking)	Prices on request
Ticket for 1-hour canal cruise through Amsterdam (booking/payment in advance; to be collected on board on the first day of the tour)	special price for our guests: 15 euro

Children up to the age of 15 receive a discount of 15% on the cabin price (double occupancy). When travelling with children, we recommend our Multi-Adventure Tours in Greece and Croatia which are specifically curated for families and offer family-friendly pricing.
If this is your second Islandhopping tour booked directly with us, you will receive our Welcome-back-discount of 3% on the basic tour price.
If this is your third or more Islandhopping tour booked directly with us, you will receive our Loyalty-discount of 5% on the basic tour price.

Arrival - How to get there

Port of Embarkation Amsterdam

On the day of embarkation, your ship should be waiting in the port of Amsterdam at Pontsteiger, Oude Houthaven, Amsterdam.

Embarkation between 1 pm and 2 pm and a welcome tea or coffee from the crew. The ship leaves the harbour at 2.30 pm.

Please do not forget to bring your passport or ID-card.

Arrival by plane

The best international airport to use for this trip is Schiphol. Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS) is accessible from virtually all major airports in Europe.

Your flight can be organized as soon as we have confirmed that your tour is taking place.

From the airport to the harbour

It’s very easy to find public transport at Schiphol Airport with the train, buses and taxis just a 3-minute walk from the terminal. Simply collect your bags, head to the arrival’s hall, and follow the signs. Trains run regularly and only take about 20 minutes from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal. You can buy a ticket in the central arrival hall at the airport.

From the central station to the harbour

The ship’s location at Pontsteiger is situated about 1.2 mi./2 km from the Central Station. You can catch a bus from the Centraal Station to the ship’s location (approx. 4 minutes). To do so you must get on City Bus 48 (GVB) from Centraal Station (exit: IJ-side), direction Houthavens.

Then get off at bus stop Houtmankade. From here it is a 5-minute walk to the ship. On Saturdays, the busses depart every 15 minutes. The price is around 3 € (one way). You can buy a 1-hour ticket from the driver.

Arrival by car

Address for Navigation System:

Pontsteiger, 1013 AH Amsterdam, Netherlands

If you are planning on travelling to Amsterdam by car, be sure to organise a safe parking place for the week.

The best and easiest way to organise a secure parking place is to make a reservation with us (in cooperation with our partner Boat Bike Tours). The benefits of doing so are a guaranteed and secure parking spot at a favourable rate. Furthermore, the parking place is close to the ship so you will not need to use public transport or taxi to return to the ship after parking.

Parking recommendations in Amsterdam

A – Valet Parking – Centralparking.nl
Only available with reservation in advance. For payment, please follow the instructions mentioned in the confirmation. Price: 145 € – 8 days (as off 2019).

How does the Centralparking Parking Service work?

Drive to the ship, where you will meet the Valet Parking driver. They will help you with your luggage.
The driver will take your car to the covered parking lot with 24/7 camera surveillance.
On day of departure, your car will be waiting for you at the harbour near the ship so that you can drive home immediately after disembarkation.

B – Parking Centrum Oosterdok
Centrum Oosterdok is the cheapest long-term possibility for parking in the centre of Amsterdam. This parking garage is only accessible for cars with a maximum height of 2.10 m.

Parking Centrum Oosterdok offers a total of 1,355 parking spots in a brand new, clean building with video surveillance and is situated close to Amsterdam Centraal Station. The rate for long-term parking is 20 € per 24 hours. You pay between 140 to 160 € per week (depending on the time of your arrival/departure).

Address for navigation:

Oosterdoksstraat 150, 1011 DK, Amsterdam

Embarkation
by plane
Airport - Harbour
by train
by car
Parking

Important information

Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.

We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary, depending on wind and weather conditions or organizational requirements. Sometimes the tour will be run in reverse order. Our tours are dependent on weather conditions and the final decision is that of the captain. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend time on board the boat, instead of taking a planned bike-tour.

Level 1 - 2

Tours of low to moderate difficulty with mostly flat stages ranging from 6mi. to 32 mi./10km to 51 km in length. The daily individual cycle tours are conducted at your own pace and without a tour guide. There are daily briefings on board, and detailed bicycle maps and route notes are available. When there are two cycle routes possible, you can choose yourself whether to cycle the longer or the shorter option. Please note that on the shorter tours, not all the above-mentioned highlights can be visited. Long and steep ascents are extremely rare; however, some routes do lead through hilly countryside with regular ascents and descents. There may be times that you must cycle into a strong headwind. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the ship instead of taking a planned cycle tour.

Helmets are mandatory on our bike tours. It is advised to bring your own, well fitted, helmet with you as our rental helmet numbers are limited (reservation required).

We believe that only children in a good physical condition and with a minimum age of 10 and previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the cycle tours with their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.50 m (5 ft.) for hybrid bikes.

For the best tour experience with children, we recommend our Multi-Adventure Cruises in Croatia or Greece. We are convinced that these itineraries provide the best all-round experience for each individual family member.

You are welcome to bring your own private bike with you on this tour. If you are planning on bringing your own bike, please inform us of the category type (hybrid bike/e-bike). If you bring your own bikes, an additional fee will be charged for storage of your bikes on board.

Liability disclaimer:

If you bring your private bike, you do so at your own risk. The owner of the boat, the crew, the tour guides, and the tour operator will not be held liable for any damages to the bike or for the theft thereof which may occur during your time on tour.

If you do not bring your own bike, you can rent a hybrid bike or e-bike along with a pannier bag for the duration of the Sail & Bike tour. Except for the time when the (e-)bike is on the deck of ship, you are responsible and liable for your rental bike and accessories for the duration of the rental period. This means you should always lock your bicycle when it is parked on land, and you take the pannier bag with you. It is of great importance that you pay attention to and follow the instructions given by the tour leader where and how to park your bike. In case of damage to or theft of the bike, the costs will be charged to you.

Please note: For safety reasons, we do not allow the use the rental (e-) bikes for self-arranged bike rides in Amsterdam.

Please bring your personal belongings in foldable travel bags. Please avoid hard protective cases. They will be too heavy to store within your cabin.

Full board (7x breakfast, 6 x packed lunch, 7x dinner).

Please do not forget that the ship is your hotel as well as a machine, which has to be maintained and operated – day and night. A certain level of noise is therefore inevitable.

All of the tours listed in Holland are operated by Boat Bike Tours and so can vary in comparison to traditional Islandhopping tours.

You can withdraw from the travel contract up until the beginning of the trip. Cancellation is valid when your written statement reaches us.

More than 60 days prior to beginning the trip: 20 %
59 – 42 days prior to beginning the trip: 30 %
41 – 28 days prior to beginning the trip: 60 %
27 – 1 days prior to beginning the trip: 90 %

If you cancel on the starting day of the trip or if you do not appear for the start of the trip, we charge the full trip price. If you miss the start of the trip or are prevented from traveling due to incomplete travel documents, this will be considered a cancellation.

Reservation changes are handled the same way as cancellations. We charge a 50 € fee for changes made to your reservation 28 days or more before the beginning of the trip. Any later changes (if possible) will need to be handled as a cancellation and new registration. Cancellation and reservation change fees are due immediately.