Sailing is freedom! During these great 5- or 7-day all-inclusive sailing trips you will discover for yourself how free you feel on the water aboard a historic sailing ship. The skipper and his sailor will take you on an adventure, together with a number of other families. With the ship as your vacation home you will explore all the secret places of IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea. The children will soon find each other. After embarkation you will be promoted to crew member. Everyone is allowed to help with the ins and outs on board. Sailing experience is not necessary. The experienced, hospitable crew explains exactly how everything works.
On land, at sea, and somewhere in between
These mighty sailing trips take you across the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea to picturesque harbour towns, islands full of nature and of course to the pride of the Netherlands: the Wadden. The home of many seals and other animals. The magical cultural heritage that is sometimes land and sometimes sea. That means: falling dry and mudflats. The skipper has all the necessary allowances to let you enjoy this special area. While the ship waits for the tide to rise again, you will take a remarkable walk on the bottom of the sea. With a bit of luck you will come back on board with shrimps you caught yourself.
Bellies full, heads empty
Picture this. While you are sailing or relaxing, the ship's cook performs miracles in the galley. A summer evening on board. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, there was some wind and you made a beautiful trip to the Wadden Sea. The children stood behind the helm with the captain. Red cheeks, big smiles and a proud grin. Rosy from the fresh air you eat your meal on deck. The sun is already setting a bit. The water ripples, seagulls fly along the horizon. Peace and quiet. Time for good conversations, cheerful games and carefree relaxation. You will have a good night's in your comfortable cabin.
Two fantastic ships
You can choose from two historic sailing ships. The cabins of the cosy Sybaris all have a private bathroom. The sturdy Boekanier offers lots of space and comfort. Click on the travel options below to read more about each trip. Whichever ship you choose, you will have an unforgettable adventure.
What's on the program?
Click on Travel Options below for more information about the content of this adventurous family trip.
This sailing trip takes place with a minimum of 12 participants.
LAST-MINUTE FAMILY DISCOUNT: 3rd child sails for FREE! ⛵
Looking to go on an unforgettable adventure with the whole family this summer, but wondering if there’s enough room (and budget) in the cabin? Great news for larger families! We have an amazing last-minute deal for our Family Sail trips on the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea.
Are you coming on board the Sybaris or Boekanier with more than 2 children? Then the 3rd child (up to 11 years old) sails completely FOR FREE! 🎉
That means even more fun on deck, walking on the seabed together when the ship strands on the mudflats, spotting seals, and enjoying a fully catered all-inclusive sailing holiday – with zero extra costs for your third little explorer.
How does it work? Simply choose one of the available midweeks or the family week in July or August, sign up your family, and we will apply the discount directly. Don't wait too long, as our historic ships have a limited number of cabins and full really is full!
Prices per person
Embark
On the evening before departure you will embark in Enkhuizen. You will meet the hospitable skipper, his sailor and the ship's cook. Enthusiastic skipper Richard first tells you everything you need to know for a safe stay on board. As soon as you have brought your luggage in your cabin, the family trip can start.
Freedom
When sailing you depend on the wind and weather. You can certainly make plans, so do tell the skipper your wishes. Is it not windy? It's possible that your day turns out different. Maybe you will make a new plan. That is the freedom that sailing brings. The ship is your sailing vacation home, so wherever you go, it is always good. It is your adventure!
An example of a route
Monday: From Enkhuizen you can sail to Makkum, where you can disembark to see the town or have a drink in the cosy center.
Tuesday/Wednesday: The sails go up again and the voyage continues to Texel. The largest Wadden Island, which you can explore on foot or by bike. Here the ship stays a day, so you have plenty the time. You can also go go-karting, watch the many species of birds, or spot seals through the seal viewing wall. Do you want to see them closer? Then pay a visit to seal shelter Ecomare. With a favourable tide, we can even fall dry on the Wadden Sea: a unique experience to see how the water retreats and how you can walk on the seabed around the ship. When the tide rises again, it is time to go back on board.
Thursday: Today you’ll sail from Texel to Medemblik, a charming harbour town where you can visit Radboud Castle.
Friday: On the last day of sailing you hoist the sails together with the other families one last time and sail back to home port Enkhuizen. You arrive there between 14.00 and 15.00 hours. After a great vacation it is time to say goodbye to the ship, the crew and the new families with whom you have had great adventures.
This is the basis for the route you are going to follow. Do you have other wishes, or does the wind or weather determine that the route should be different? Skipper Richard takes care of the ideal vacation. This enthusiastic nature and sailing enthusiast knows the routes like the back of his hand.
Included in the trip:
Not included:
This sailing trip takes place with a minimum of 12 participants.
See you on board!
Prices per person
Embark
On the day of departure you will embark at noon in Enkhuizen. You will meet the hospitable skipper, his sailor and the ship's cook. Enthusiastic skipper Richard first tells you everything you need to know for a safe stay on board. As soon as you have brought your luggage in your cabin, the family trip can start.
Where the wind takes you...
When sailing, you depend on the wind and weather. You can certainly make plans, so do tell the skipper your wishes. Is it not windy? It's possible that your day turns out different. Maybe you will make a new plan. That is the freedom that sailing brings. The ship is your sailing vacation home, so wherever you go, it is always good. It is your adventure!
An example of a route
Saturday: From Enkhuizen you can sail to Medemblik, where you can disembark to see the town or have a drink in the cosy center. Or the ship takes you to Den Oever, a paradise for nature lovers.
Sunday: The sails go up again and the voyage continues to Texel. The largest Wadden Island, which you can explore on foot or by bike. You can also watch the many species of birds, or spot seals through the seal viewing wall. Do you want to see them closer? Then pay a visit to seal shelter Ecomare.
Monday / Tuesday: The journey continues to the Wadden Island Vlieland or Terschelling. The ship stays here for a day, so you have all the time you need to explore the island. If the tide is right, the ship can fall dry and you can even go mudflat hiking: a remarkable walk on the bottom of the sea. With a bit of luck you will come back on board with shrimps you caught yourself.
Wednesday: From Vlieland or Terschelling you sail to Makkum. Not only famous for its pottery, but also for the rich history in the village center and a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts.
Thursday: From Makkum, you sail to picturesque Frisian Stavoren with its rich history full of stories and its famous lighthouse. Or the Sybaris brings you to Urk. This former island is a lively fishing village with a nostalgic village center.
Friday: On the last day of sailing you hoist the sails together with the other families one last time and sail back to home port Enkhuizen, where you arrive between 14.00 and 15.00 hours. After a great vacation it is time to say goodbye to the ship, the crew and the new families with whom you have had great adventures.
This is the basis for the route you are going to follow. Do you have other wishes, or does the wind or weather determine that the route should be different? Skipper Richard takes care of the ideal vacation. This enthusiastic nature and sailing enthusiast knows the routes like the back of his hand.
Included in the trip:
Not included:
This sailing trip takes place with a minimum of 12 participants.
See you on board!
Prices per person
Embark
On the day of departure you will embark at noon in Makkum. You will meet the hospitable skipper, his sailor and the ship's cook. Enthusiastic skipper Joop first tells you everything you need to know for a safe stay on board. As soon as you have brought your luggage in your cabin, the family trip can start.
Where the wind takes you...
When sailing you depend on the wind and weather. You can certainly make plans, so do tell the skipper your wishes. Is it not windy? It's possible that your day turns out different. Maybe you will make a new plan. That is the freedom that sailing brings. The ship is your sailing vacation home, so wherever you go, it is always good. It is your adventure!
An example of a route
Monday:
Today we sail over the Wadden Sea to the island of Texel, a trip of about 5 to 6 hours. We moor in the harbor of Oudeschild, a large fishing port with lots of activity and cosy harbor pubs. We also visit the Ecomare seal shelter with a nature museum, where you can learn everything about nature in the Wadden Sea region.
Tuesday:
We set course for Vlieland, a small, beautiful, and car-luwy island, where we arrive in the middle of the afternoon. From the harbor in the middle of nature, you can take a lovely walk through the woods, dunes, and beaches. Or visit the village of Oost-Vlieland, 15 minutes away from the port by foot.
Wednesday:
A visit to Terschelling is on the program today, perhaps the most famous and popular island. We moor in the port of West-Terschelling. There is plenty of time to visit a museum, take a bike ride or walk or enjoy a drink on one of the many terraces.
Thursday:
We leave early to set course to Ameland and sail close to the sandbanks, where seals are often sunbathing.
Friday:
On this last day onboard we sail back to Makkum. By 3 p.m. you will disembark again. Filled with new memories, full of energy.
This is the basis for the route you are going to follow. Do you have other wishes, or does the wind or weather determine that the route should be different? Skipper Richard takes care of the ideal vacation. This enthusiastic nature and sailing enthusiast knows the routes like the back of his hand.
Included in the trip:
Not included:
This sailing trip takes place with a minimum of 12 participants.
See you on board!