The route

Sailing in Zeeland means exploring old towns without ever heading out onto the open sea. Along the way you'll pass historic seaports with a rich history, along with beautiful nature areas like the Biesbosch, all within easy reach.

One option is to sail from Zierikzee to Goes, a 15-nautical-mile trip across the Oosterschelde and under the Zeeland Bridge into Goes, where the harbour right in the middle of town makes for a lovely arrival. From Willemstad, sail among commercial traffic across the Hollands Diep towards the Moerdijk Bridge, then a few miles further to port into the Biesbosch, where you can spend the night anchored by one of the islands or in a quiet creek.

More ambitious sailors can loop around Zeeland by sea in a single weekend. Depending on wind and tide, you'll sail clockwise or anticlockwise: from Willemstad to Stellendam, through the Roompot lock to Zierikzee, and back to Willemstad.

Practical info

Duration: A (long) weekend, midweek, or a full week
Sailing level: Day skipper level
Nice harbours along the way: Zierikzee, Goes, Veere, Willemstad