Book up to 6h before departure
From €286
·1 hour & 30 mins
Private Electric Boat • BYO Drinks • UNESCO Canals
This private canal cruise takes up to twelve guests through Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed canal ring aboard a quiet electric boat. Departing from Nieuwe Keizersgracht, you'll spend ninety minutes on the water with your own group—no strangers, no fixed commentary unless you want it. The captain speaks English and knows these waterways well, but they're equally happy to let you chat among yourselves while the city drifts past.
The boat runs entirely on electric power, which means no engine noise drowning out conversation. Heated cushions take the edge off cooler days, and a retractable roof keeps everyone dry if the weather turns. You're welcome to bring your dog, your own snacks, even your own drinks if you prefer—though there's a simple onboard bar serving Heineken, wine by the glass, and soft drinks at café prices. Nothing elaborate, just what you need for an afternoon or evening on the canals.
Private boat tours in Amsterdam tend toward either the overly guided or the entirely silent. This one sits comfortably in between. Your captain can share stories about the canal houses and bridges you pass, or simply steer while you take photos and catch up with friends. The route follows the main canal belt but often dips into quieter stretches where larger tour boats can't go. It's a good fit for birthdays, small family gatherings, or work teams who'd rather be on the water than in another meeting room. Free cancellation up to twenty-four hours beforehand means plans can stay flexible.
Jen Schmitz
July 2026
“Amazing experience highly recommend”
matt cannon
July 2026
“Fabulous boat tour. Don't get on the big boats under cover, get this small boat, great skipper Eddie. Thanks”
Anour Esa
July 2026
“We had an amazing time aboard the Amazing with Captain Attila. Extremely safe and expert boat handling, excellent local knowledge, very comfortable boat, and very friendly.”
Max Link
July 2026
“Eddie was amazing and super knowledgeable on everything we were passing and was able to answer any questions we asked. 100% recommend Eddie.”
Mathys Besserer
July 2026
“Captain João was absolutely great! I had a great time and managed to learn so much about the city!”
Cheri Campbell
July 2026
“Excellent 90 minute tour through the canals on a fairly quiet morning. Really relaxing and scenic, lots of history . Attila our tour guide was exceptionally gracious and informative, he is an asset to the company. Highly recommended, well worth doing.”
Sonja Kokkonen
July 2026
“The boat tour was an amazing experience. Our captain João was very friendly and he told a lot of facts and stories about Amsterdam. We liked that the group was small so we could ask questions and it was also very peaceful.”
Janni Kitti
July 2026
“We had a super fun tour with João! You can either just enjoy the stories and views or ask anything you wanna know about Amsterdam (history or present). A smaller group size makes it feel more unique and luxurious. We left with a bunch of recommendations! Great for families with kids too.”
amandine potey
July 2026
“Top ! Thank you Captain João !”
Francesca Longo
July 2026
Sarah Butler
July 2026
“We purposefully targeted a small boat and the longer tour 90 mins which proved a perfect choice. Went on Sunday morning and almost had the Amsterdam waterway system to ourselves! Lovely and peaceful! Small group of 7 in total plus Jo, our excellent guide. He was engaging, informative with a good sense of humour. Would highly recommend Amsterdam Boat Adventures!”
Tomasz Kawałkowski
July 2026
“It was great expierience, Captain Adam did excellent job, thank you for wonderfull time !”
Bea Rod
July 2026
“Loved the tour with Jamie! Amazing trip.”
Joshua Ridenhour
July 2026
“Great tour. Capt. Griffin was great.”
Paul Whitley
July 2026
“Highly recommend this tour over bigger boats. Learned a lot and the boat was super comfortable. Captain was great.”
ShinUn Choo
July 2026
“I’ve tried both the Bateaux Mouches in Paris and the Chicago River Cruise, but the Amsterdam Canal Cruise was the prettiest and most fun! Every single alley and building practically breathes the golden history of the Netherlands. Shoutout to Captain Griffin! He made our tour both fun and educational, explaining Dutch history and modern culture perfectly easy to understand even for non-native English speakers.”
James LaRowe
July 2026
“Wonderful way to see Amsterdam. Our captain was a friendly and outstanding guide”
E. Lewin
July 2026
“We had a boat tour with Joan (John). I can honestly say this is one of the best tours i've ever had, John put us at ease from start to finish with his polite and friendly manner. John was so knowledgable about all aspects of the tour but also had lots more information and knowledge around the history of europe and Amsterdam. Well worth every penny. Seats in the boat were heated and also had heated blankets which were very welcome on a cold rainy day. John opened the overhead rain cover when the rain settled a bit so we could fully appreciate the views. Thanks John you were excellent ! Regards Eve and Vin.”
Andrew Lask
July 2026
“My wife and I had a very nice time with Capt. Griffin. Learned a lot about Amsterdam, in a comfortable manner. So glad we chose Amsterdam Boat Adventures. I recommend them.”
Linda Croft
July 2026
“We had a great time with Captain Joao, so friendly and informative! Fun canal ride much more intimate.❤️”
Free cancellation 24h before departure time
Change time & day 24h before departure
Increase guests 1h before departure time
This operator's policy: Free cancellation 24h before departure time; Change time & day 24h before departure; Increase guests 1h before departure time.
Yes — as a private charter, you have the boat to yourselves and can work with the captain on the route within your booked time. Celebrating a birthday or other occasion? Let us know in advance (or in the booking note) and we'll do our best to help set things up.
Each private boat has its own maximum capacity — shown on this cruise page under guest numbers. Planning something for 20 or more guests? Visit our Groups page and we'll help you find the right fit.
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.
