Boating information
General boating information
There are rules concerning sailing and staying on the Langeraar and Nieuwkoop Lakes. These rules are necessary to protect and preserve our beautiful natural areas. When you buy a licence, you will receive a brochure with all the information about the rules, opening hours of locks and bridges and a map of the area.
- Speed
In the entire area, 6km/h is the maximum speed, with the exception of the Ziendevaart, the Sloot van de Graaf, the Machinesloot, a part of the Meesloot towards the Vetweisloot, and Brampjesgatand Jaagpadsloot. There the maximum speeds is 4.5km/h.
- Use of motor
The motor can’t be used between half an hour past sunset and half an hour before sunrise.
- No mooring
Mooring, surfing, sailing, walking, swimming or fishing isn’t allowed in the reed bed areas. Check below for free berths.
Licence
- The Nieuwkoop lakes
In some cases you need a licence to sail on the Nieuwkoop lakes. For sailing with a canoe, rowing boat, surfboard, sailboat or any other type of boat without a motor, you don’t need a licence. Motorboats and electro boats do need a licence. Choose a 24-hour licence, a licence for a week or for an entire year. The rules need to be obeyed at all times. Dinghies also need a licence when they can be propelled by themselves. The licence must be displayed clearly on the port side of theboat.
- The Langeraar lakes
When you want to sail on the Langeraar lakes, you won’t need a licence. The rules do have to be obeyed at all times. Windsurfing is allowed here. The use of speedboats, waterscooters and boats that are equipped for waterskiing and therefore can reach a higher speed are not allowed.
Berths
- Natuurmonumenten
Natuurmonumenten manages four berths on the Nieuwkoop lakes. You can stay here for a maximum of three consecutive days/ two nights.
- De Schepengaten
- Machinesloot
- Brampjesgat (Has a toilet block and a place to empty small chemical toilets)
- De Kleine Polder
- Gemeente Nieuwkoop
The Municipality of Nieuwkoop manages several berths and facilities. You can stay here for a maximum of three consecutive days/ two nights.
- De Geitenkamp (with watchtower, toilets and a place to empty small chemical toilets)
- Het Weije of Hogenwerf
- Het Meijepark near the Meijepad
- Along the Meijepad
- In the centre behind the old ABN building (Maximum of three hours, not at night)
- N.H. Church
- In the centre at the Reghthuysplein (Maximum of four hours)
- Canoe berths
- At the end of the Machinesloot
- Vetwei
- Halve Roe
- Oude vaart
- Kruising Meesloot
- De Schepengaten
- Along the Meijepad there are a few places to moor
- Visitor’s berth
At various harbours there are guest places available where you can leave your boat overnight. Click here for more information.
Bridges and locks
To access the Nieuwkoop lakes from the Oude Rijn, you have to pass the Ziendebrug and Ziendesluis.
Information Ziendesluis: P. van Vliet tel. 0172-612587 of 06-21103937
From the Kromme Mijdrecht you will pass the Kollenbrug and the Slikkendammersluis.
Information Kollenbrug: tel. 0172-408710
Information Slikkendammersluis: A. Kuijf tel. 0172-408170 of 06-21103938
Information Grechtsluis: tel. 0172-407486 (b.g.g. 0172-408497)
- Opening hours bridges and locks
- April 1st to October 31st daily
- November 1st to March 31st on request only
Detailed information about the opening hours and specifications of all bridges and locks in the area can be found here on the website of Rijkswaterstaat.