Intimate tour with local captain/guide
Exceptional
185 reviews
What guests loved most
Lisa Bell
“Great tour through the canals. Mare is very knowledgeable about the history of Amsterdam and adds n…”
Book up to 1.15h before departure
From €68
·2 hours
Unlimited Drinks • Dutch Snacks • Historic Electric Boat
This two-hour amsterdam canal cruise takes you through the city aboard Giuliana, a fully electric boat built over a century ago. You'll join a small group of no more than ten guests, departing from Keizersgracht near the Westerkerk. Captain Sebi, a born-and-raised Amsterdammer, steers through the canal ring, along the Amstel River, past the Magere Brug, and into quieter stretches where larger tour boats simply cannot fit.
Drinks flow freely throughout the cruise. There's Heineken, red, white and rosé wine, gin and tonic, and jenever — a traditional Dutch spirit worth trying at least once. Non-alcoholic options include cola, Fanta, Sprite and iced tea. Midway through, the boat makes a stop to collect a spread of Dutch snacks: cheese with grapes and mustard, bitterballen and other fried bites, and stroopwafels still warm enough to matter. It's more than a token gesture — you'll leave genuinely full.
Giuliana has both indoor and outdoor seating, a toilet, and heating for colder months. A retractable roof keeps things dry if the weather turns. The windows wrap around the cabin, so you're never craning to see what's passing. This small canal cruise in Amsterdam moves at a pace that lets you actually take in the Jordaan's houseboats, the old centre near Waterlooplein, and the Maritime Museum without feeling rushed. Sebi narrates as you go — less rehearsed script, more local perspective on what you're seeing and why it matters.
Lisa Bell
July 2026
“Great tour through the canals. Mare is very knowledgeable about the history of Amsterdam and adds nice humor throughout the tour. You even get to taste yummy snacks from a local restaurant. Such a fun way to hear the history of such a beautiful city!”
Léo Boukou-Poba
July 2026
“Great experience! The tour was great and Mare was a great host. Will do it again next time I am in town!”
Elisabetta Maspero
July 2026
“my friend Greta and I had the most amazing boat tour experience, two hours well spent on a lovely boat, an incredibly competent and informative “captain” and a fabulous snack and drinks selection. the boat allows up to 10 people, so the experience does not feel crowded, we were also incredibly blessed with the people on our same tour, everyone was friendly and we had some great laughs! I would 100% recommend this experience”
A Mackrill
July 2026
“We had a great time with Captain Sebi. An excellent summer's evening cruise around the smaller canals where the big boats can go. The boat is small and intimate but very comfortable. Sebi is a great tour guide and the included drinks and hot and cold snacks were excellent. It was a perfect night for us.”
mohit bhargava
July 2026
“We had a great time with Sebi in a private tour .. Very nice hospitality and great knowledge on the neighborhood..”
Simonne Adcock
July 2026
“This was STELLAR! What a fantastic, personal tour! Seb was incredible and I was absolutely floored by the entire experience! I will recommend these guys to absolutely everyone! So accommodating and the hospitality is impeccable! We also met the loveliest other tourists, which is so cool! 550/5 stars!!! Do it!!!!”
Maryann Smith
July 2026
“This canal tour was great! The small group made it easy to ask questions and we got so much out of the tour. Our tour guide Mare was lovely. She was very entertaining and taught us all about Dutch culture, the city, and the canals! There were plenty of snacks and beverages as well. The boat was beautiful, had a small bathroom, and had shady spots to sit. I would highly recommend this tour company over all others.”
Fam Jiam
July 2026
“We had such an amazing time with Sebi during our boat tour. It was extremely comfortable and Sebi provided us with such interesting facts and stories about Amsterdam. I’m really glad we went on a 2 hour tour because 1 hour definitely wouldn’t have been enough. We will do this again!”
Karan Bothra
July 2026
“The most amazing host! Highly recommended!! The boat is very comfortable and perfect for a private tour!!”
Sean Leonard
June 2026
“If you're looking for a private, customized boat tour to see the city from the water, this is perfect. Sebi was knowledgeable, patient, and accommodating to our group. We had a fantastic time learning about Amsterdam while enjoying cold beverages and freshly prepared snacks”
J. J. Ament
June 2026
“Capt. Sebi was outstanding and his boat was perfect for touring Amsterdam by canal. Smaller boat (but not too small) and crowd (max 12 passengers) was great for getting into every canal - and for the visit to be special and more personal, with character - not like the monster, corporate tour boats you'll see. Loved that you could sit inside or outside - and local snacks and drinks were tasty and fun. Great price for a semi private tour, too! When we're back, we'll book with Sebi again.”
Jeroen Corthout
June 2026
“Sebi gives the best boat tours. Always gives the tours himself. Great food and drinks. Very dedicated. Our group got an amazing tour and an amazing time. Quite the opposite of the common boat tour in Amsterdam.”
Alexander Kosenko
June 2026
“We had a great boat tour with Sebi in June. He was both an entertaining and pleasant boat captain and host. Would love to come back again next year!”
Thijs Van Arsdale
June 2026
“Amazing boat great captain, would recommend.”
Luana Nan
June 2026
“I had a great experience touring with Sebi Boats Tour! Our guide was very informative and friendly, facilitating great dynamics in our small group! I appreciated that the tour was long, exploring different canals, offering delicious treats, in a small intimate group, with great companions! This experience was the highlight of my visit to Amsterdam, highly recommend!”
Ella Fialdini
June 2026
“Phenomenal experience!! Sebi was super fun and showed us so much and made the experience so special!”
T
June 2026
“Sebi is the best. His beautiful boat is the best way to see the city from a local's perspective. Very relaxing with lots of drink options and local snacks from his cousin's restaurant. Thanks Sebi!”
Lisa Miller
June 2026
“Amazing canal tour 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Lynn Radliff
June 2026
“This was a lovely two hour canal cruise through Amsterdam. The captain provided a lot of history of Amsterdam including a lot of Dutch humor. Along with some local appetizers and libations. If you are considering a canal tour this is the one.”
Bridget Flanigan
June 2026
“Our evening boat tour with Sebi was just magical! He's the most thoughtful and cerebral guide I've come across. He smoothly tailored his tour to the group we had on board, including switching flawlessly into German for one other passenger to ensure she was able to understand the historical details as well. The snacks and drinks were plentiful and delicious and the Giuliana was a pleasure to be aboard! I loved how the small craft was able to nimbly navigate the smaller canals that other tour boats can't reach. Our tour was two hours, but I could have easily done two hours more. It was pure pleasure to be on the water with Sebi and would do it again in a heartbeat! Worth every single penny and then some!”
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your tour
This operator's policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your tour.
This varies by cruise — check the feature badges and 'What's Included' section on this specific cruise page above for exactly what's covered (drinks, snacks, toilet, heating, and more) before you book.
Yes — shared cruises are booked per seat, so solo travelers, couples, and small groups can all join the same departure alongside other guests. Check this cruise page for how many seats you can book in one reservation.
The exact departure point is shown on the map further down this page — click "How far is this from me?" for directions from your location. Once you book, the full address and directions are also sent straight to your confirmation email.
Yes, as long as a time slot is still open for booking on this page. Every booking is confirmed instantly online — no waiting to hear back. Each available time shows its own booking cutoff, so grab a spot before it closes if you're booking for the same day.
