Boat Local - Amsterdam's best boat booking platform

I’m heading to Amsterdam soon, can you give me any tips/advice/must-do’s?

This is a question I get asked regularly and there is always one answer. Whatever you do, make sure you take a canal boat ride.

So when my parents came to Amsterdam with us for the first time in 7 years I knew exactly what to put at the top of their list. There is nothing like seeing Amsterdam from the water. Forget elevated viewpoints (of which there are few) its down at canal level that the heart of city really lies.

Given the importance I place on a boat trip, my advice is spend whatever you can afford. If your budget only stretches to a €14 seat on an 80-seater Rondvaartboot, then absolutely do it, but if you can possibly stretch to more then I really urge you to look at a shared trip on a smaller boat or a private canal cruise. The small vessels head into the best parts of the narrower canals and rather than a muffled pre-recorded guide and misted up windows, you’ll have a stunning view and a captain who will point out highlights, answer questions and most of all guarantee an experience like no other.

But it can be hard to know which company to choose, and some providers can sell out at popular times so one enterprising former captain has come up with the perfect solution by way of Boat Local.

Boat Local is a curated platform, the founder Beer has pulled together the best providers in town and showcases them on his site, making it effortless to choose and book. So, when he offered us a chance to experience it for ourselves we didn’t need to think twice.

It was easy to find the perfect boat for our group of 7. Whilst all the boats that appear offer a cosy, authentic experience, we were able to select a vessel of just the right size, with indoor and outdoor seating in case of poor weather at a time that suited us perfectly.

We chose an early morning jaunt as I’m convinced its the best hour to enjoy the stillness of Amsterdam. And at exactly 9.00, our captain Robert pulled up in a lovely little boat called Tzar and helped us all onboard.

Robert was just the kind of captain we love, with a relaxed and engaging style. During our trip he explained the ins and outs of houseboats (as a resident of one he was perfectly placed to give us a real sense of life onboard) and pointed out the key sights of the city and some insider tips. Want to see the 17th century ‘dancing houses’ that lean precipitously by the water? How about the location of a unique overnight room in a bridge house in the middle of the Amstel? Or maybe you’re interested in the spot where you can see 7 bridges. Robert explained all this and more including canal boat rules, how boats navigate the chaos of Kings Day and Gay Pride, and how much he loves the Winter Amsterdam Light Festival when local families tend to book trips.

Robert also explained that these days, all private canal boats have to be electric. The quiet that this affords is quite remarkable and we slipped through the water barely disturbing the ducks and gulls alongside.

Although we didn’t see the sun, we were happy to sit in the open air knowing that at the first spot of rain we could decamp into the lovely heated interior. And it was almost a shame not to do so when I spied the gorgeous seasonal tulips and the well-stocked drinks fridge.

With 7 of us, spanning three generations, we made the most of a private boat, but for couples it may make more sense to book a small shared vessel. And if you are considering a seat alongside a handful of other visitors in the know don’t worry, its not a huge compromise. The boats typically seat around 12 people maximum and still feel intimate and exclusive.

Whatever you’re looking for, Boat Local has got you covered (literally and metaphorically!) with a whole range of options. Looking for a cheese and wine trip? Perhaps a boat with unlimited drinks or dinner on board? Or how about a truly insta-worthy flower filled vessel? Boat Local has got something for everyone.

We loved our morning outing and even though we’ve done boat trips before there’s always something new to see. Take a look and book yourself a memory – I promise the experience will stay with you for many years.

You can find Boat Local by click on this link which will take you to their homepage. If you’re looking for the Tzar boat specifically, this link will take you right there.