Book up to 2h before departure
From €290
·1 hour & 15 mins
Special Event from Nov 28th - Jan 4th • 75 - 90 min • Private Groups up to 12
duration: 75 - 90 minutes
cancellation_summary: 24 hours in advance free cancellation
meeting_point: Nieuwe Keizersgracht # 1, Amsterdam
max_age: 100
group_size: Maximum 12 people
accessibility: No
description: Exclusive Amsterdam Light Festival Private Boat Tour: An Unforgettable Experience
Discover the magic of Amsterdam Light Festival on a private boat tour. This exclusive experience lets you fully immerse yourself in the 14th edition's theme, "Legacy & Future," as you glide past 20 unique and beautiful light installations along the canals.
Your private cruise will be guided by a knowledgeable captain, who will share fascinating insights into each light sculpture and the festival's theme, “Legacy & Future.” This intimate atmosphere enhances your appreciation for the artistry and history of Amsterdam’s iconic canals along the UNESCO canal belt, making your journey truly memorable. Perfect for forging memorable moments with colleagues or clients, or for sharing intimate experiences with family and friends.
Book your Private Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour today for an extraordinary evening on the canals!
what_is_included: - Glühwein: Sip on complimentary mulled wine as you take in the sights.
- Heated Cushions
- Blankets
- Weather Protection: Rain canopy/cover in case of bad weather.
- Expert Commentary: Our captain will provide detailed explanations of the artworks.
- Rates include the special Light Festival contribution fee
what_is_not_included: Drinks: Available for purchase on board
- Heineken Beer = € 3
- Glass of Rosé or White Wine = € 4.00
- Bottle of Wine (Rosé or White) = € 16.00
- Water = € 2.50
- Soft Drinks: Coke (regular or zero), Fanta, Ice Tea = € 2.50 each
Snacks: Please feel free to bring your own snacks or drinks for the journey.
highlights: - Exclusive Private Boat for Your Group: Enjoy an intimate experience on a boat reserved just for your party, ensuring a personalized and memorable outing.
Unmatched Views of Breathtaking Light Displays: Enjoy unobstructed views of stunning light installations from every angle, allowing for perfect photo opportunities and a more immersive experience. As you glide along the official festival route, marvel at the spectacular light art that showcases the creativity of artists from around the world, illuminating the city’s historic canals and bringing the enchanting waterways to life.
Unique Festival Route: Glide through the iconic UNESCO-protected canal belt, passing some of the city’s most beautiful and historic landmarks. The interplay of light art and architecture will leave you in awe.
Perfect for All Weather: Our boat’s open design allows you to enjoy the crisp winter air while cozying up with provided blankets. If the weather turns chilly or drizzly, we have a rain cover and heated seats to ensure your comfort throughout the cruise, making this experience enjoyable no matter the conditions.
check_in_details: - Check In with the Captain
You can check in directly with the captain at the boat. Please note that we do not have an office at the meeting point, so head straight to the boat upon arrival.
Arrive on Time
Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled departure to ensure a smooth check-in process.
what_to_bring: - Warm Clothing
Even though our boat is equipped with heated seats and blankets, it’s a good idea to dress warmly. The crisp winter air can get chilly during the evening, so layers, a warm jacket, scarf, gloves, and a hat are highly recommended.
Camera or Smartphone
The light installations are stunning and perfect for photos! Bring along your camera or smartphone to capture the beauty of the festival.
faqs: ### Common Questions
1. We are a group of 13 people. can you squeeze an extra person on the boat?
No. We are sorry to say that our Amsterdam boat tour permit only allows us to take 12 people onboard.
2. Can I bring my own food and drinks on board?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the tour. However, we also offer a selection of drinks for purchase on board, including beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.
3. What happens if it rains?
Our boat is equipped with a rain canopy to keep you dry in case of uncertain weather. We also provide cozy blankets and heated cushions to ensure you're comfortable during cooler conditions, so the tour can continue regardless of the weather.
4. Is the tour suitable for children?
Absolutely! Children aged 6 years and up are welcome aboard. Our relaxed and scenic boat tour is a great way for families to experience the beauty of Amsterdam Light Festival.
5. Can I bring my dog on the boat?
Yes, on our private boat tours you can bring all your dogs along.
6. Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, our boat is not wheelchair accessible due to the boat's size.
8. Do you provide live commentary during the tour?
Yes, our captain will guide you through the tour, sharing intriguing facts and stories about the Amsterdam Light Festival and its stunning light artworks and installations. However, since this is a private tour, we can also adapt to your wishes.
9. Is the boat electric?
Yes, our boats are fully electric! We pride ourselves on offering an eco-friendly cruising experience, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Amsterdam's canals without noise or emissions. The electric motor ensures a smooth and quiet ride, so you can fully appreciate the light installations and the serenity of the canals.
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.
