THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Glide through Amsterdam’s historic canals on a fully electric boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival. Wrapped in blankets and enjoying unlimited drinks, discover 20 captivating light artworks with live narration that brings the city’s history and art to life.
Glide through Amsterdam’s historic canals on a fully electric boat during the Amsterdam Light Festival. Wrapped in blankets and enjoying unlimited drinks, discover 20 captivating light artworks with live narration that brings the city’s history and art to life.
Book with Starboard Boats BV
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Starboard Boats BV · Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
In the heart of Amsterdam, along the twisting waterways around Amstel 178, Starboard Boats BV offers an electric boat experience unlike any other during the renowned Amsterdam Light Festival. This 75-minute cruise navigates the city’s main canals at twilight, unveiling a curated collection of 20 illuminated art installations thoughtfully placed to complement the historic urban landscape. The canals themselves—cut through Amsterdam’s famed 17th-century canal belt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site—offer a natural frame for this evolving gallery of light and color.
Starboard Boats BV stands out by combining sustainability with comfort, operating fully electric vessels designed to glide quietly through the water. Guests settle into cozy surroundings aboard the boat, wrapped in warm blankets against the cool winter air while sipping from an all-inclusive bar stocking beer, wine, glühwein, hot chocolate, and soft drinks. This easy warmth strikes a practical balance that enhances the sensory immersion.
The cruise doubles as a living storytelling session, where the skipper and onboard host weave together historical insights about Amsterdam’s canals alongside details about each light installation. This blend of history and contemporary art gives visitors a layered appreciation of the city’s cultural dimensions. The 2024–2025 festival theme “Rituals” connects deeply with how light forms a core element of human traditions—from welcoming new seasons to marking life’s transitions—adding a thoughtful narrative to the luminous displays.
Situated on the Amstel river in central Amsterdam, this experience offers a unique vantage point on both the city and the festival. It’s an immersive evening outing perfectly suited for travelers seeking a blend of outdoor ambiance, creative expression, and relaxed social atmosphere. Whether a local or visitor, Starboard Boats BV elevates a canal cruise into a memorable journey through art, light, and stories that capture the spirit of Amsterdam’s winter nightlife.
easy.
1–1.5 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels; minimal physical exertion is required.
Yes, the cruise includes unlimited beer, wine, glühwein, hot chocolate, and soft drinks.
Accessibility details are not specified; it's recommended to contact Starboard Boats BV directly.
Children are allowed with a discounted ticket, but the experience is primarily designed for adults.
The electric boat has a covered deck area providing shelter from the elements.
The cruise departs from and returns to Amstel 178, 1017 AE Amsterdam.
Yes, due to limited capacity and event popularity, advance reservations are highly recommended.
Amsterdam’s canal ring was constructed in the early 1600s to create a functional and defensive waterway system, shaping the city’s layout.
Starboard Boats BV operates fully electric boats, minimizing pollution and noise to protect Amsterdam’s delicate canal ecosystem.
Starboard Boats BV is a canal cruise operator based in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland. The company operates a fleet of electric, eco-friendly boats offering shared and private canal experiences across Amsterdam’s historic waterways. Popular scheduled experiences include the Original Amsterdam Flower Boat, shared canal cruises with unlimited drinks, and themed trips such as the Amsterdam Light Festival cruises and Cheese Fondue Cruise. Private options allow customizable itineraries with a dedicated skipper and host, onboard bar service, and optional catering or entertainment like silent discos. Group sizes vary by trip: many shared cruises accommodate up to 26 guests, while private Light Festival cruises can host up to 30 people. Departure points include central locations such as Rembrandt Square, the Red Light District, and Starboard Dock. Guided experiences are available in English and German, and local skippers provide route insights, historical context, and hidden-gem commentary. Safety and guest comfort are supported by trained crew members and hygienic service practices on board. Starboard Boats BV’s offerings range from family-friendly activities to adult-focused Booze Cruises and private hire for celebrations. All descriptions and availability depend on the selected trip; passengers can choose one-hour shared cruises, extended three-hour SAIL experiences, evening candlelight or fondue events, and specialized seasonal departures. Starboard Boats BV focuses on delivering varied canal experiences that showcase Amsterdam’s attractions while using electric vessels to minimize environmental impact. Reservations accommodate celebrations, family gatherings, sightseeing tours, seasonal festival visits, and group outings with flexible trip choices, durations, and onboard amenities tailored to each selected cruise departure.
Book with Starboard Boats BV