Private Boat Tours Amsterdam on a Historic Canal Boat
Explore the city with private boat tours in Amsterdam aboard your own restored saloon boat. Enjoy a private canal cruise with a local captain, flexible route and welcome drink for groups of 2 to 12 guests. Cruises start from €250.
Your Private Canal Cruise Amsterdam Experience
Set sail aboard one of our fully restored historic saloon boats — Undine, Tzar or Ritz. Each boat has a climate-controlled cabin with heating and blankets, so the cruise stays comfortable whatever the weather.
Our boats are small enough to glide into the narrow canals that bigger tour boats can't reach. Every cruise is fully private and fully flexible — your route, your pace, your local captain — through the UNESCO-listed canal belt. Tell your captain your preferences and he will adapt the route, and he may suggest an alternative where canal traffic or bridge heights make it the better option.
Choose a daytime sightseeing cruise or an evening cruise, and add a dinner, Champagne, decorations or a photographer to any booking.
Private Boat Tours Amsterdam Prices and Duration
Private cruises are available from 1 to 3 hours, depending on how much of Amsterdam you want to explore. All prices shown are starting from prices, based on up to 4 guests. A small surcharge applies for groups larger than 4. Every package includes your private boat, an experienced local captain, one non-alcoholic welcome drink per guest, VAT and tourist tax.
1 Hour Cruise
Best for a quick highlights tour.
1.5 Hour Cruise
Full route: Herengracht, Amstel River, Seven Bridges.
2 Hour Cruise
Relaxed pace, ideal for special occasions.
1.5 Hr Light Festival Tour
Dec–Jan only. Private route through the Light Festival.
2 Hr Dinner Cruise
Food charged separately — see dinner cruise menu.
3 Hour Cruise
Our most complete private canal tour.
Prices include 9% VAT and €2.60 p.p. tourist tax. A small surcharge applies for groups larger than 4 persons.
How to Book Your Private Cruise
Choose your duration
Select a 1, 1.5, 2 or 3-hour private cruise.
Choose your boat
Compare Undine, Tzar and Ritz by capacity and layout. Undine and Tzar suit small groups and guided tours — you sit close to the captain. Ritz offers more distance between captain and guests if you prefer privacy.
Select date and time
Check availability through our online booking system.
Add special requests
Hotel pickup, dinner, Champagne, flowers or photography.
Choose Your Private Canal Boat
Choose the boat that best suits your group size, preferred layout and occasion. Every boat is privately reserved for your group and operated by an experienced local captain.
Undine — the classic canal cruise boat
Undine sits close to the captain, which makes it ideal for small groups who want a guided tour along the way. On a sunny day, there's nowhere better than Undine's open sundeck. If it rains, the boat fully encloses and heats up, keeping every private canal cruise comfortable year-round.
Tzar — private canal cruise Amsterdam for two
The indoor area sits under a sliding roof — open for sun and fresh air, or closed for full cabin comfort — and in front of that there is a fully open seating area with an unobstructed view over the water. Tzar also has two steering wheels: let your captain know and he can steer from inside while you sit outside (or the other way round) if you would like more privacy. Our most-booked boat for romantic cruises and surprise proposals.
Ritz — the majestic saloon boat
A 1915 classic with mahogany interior, a rear sliding roof and both indoor and outdoor seating areas. The extra distance between captain and guests means you can have real privacy on board when you want it. Ideal for romantic couples, dinner tours, or groups up to 12.
| Boat | Capacity | Main Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undine | Up to 8 | Open sundeck, heating, enclosed cabin | Sightseeing, sunny-day cruises |
| Tzar | Up to 12 | Sliding roof, open front seating, two steering wheels | Couples and proposals |
| Ritz | Up to 12 | Mahogany interior, sliding roof, restroom, indoor & outdoor seating | Groups, dinners, celebrations |
What Is Included in Your Private Cruise?
Every private cruise includes your selected boat, an experienced local captain, one non-alcoholic welcome drink per guest, heating and weather protection, VAT and tourist tax. Extra drinks, dining, decorations, photography and custom pickup can be added when available.
Why Book Your Private Cruise With Boatboys
Since 2018, Boatboys has welcomed couples, families and private groups aboard a restored fleet of historic Amsterdam saloon boats. Every cruise is fully private and includes an experienced local captain who can adapt the route around your group.
Unlike large tour operators running dozens of boats, we keep a carefully selected fleet of three — so every cruise stays personal, not mass-produced.
What You Can See on a Private Canal Cruise in Amsterdam
Your exact route depends on the cruise duration, canal traffic and your preferences. A cruise of 90 minutes or longer can normally include several of Amsterdam's most famous canals, bridges and waterfront landmarks. Tell your captain whether you're interested in historic architecture, quieter canals, photography spots or the best-known landmarks.
1 Hour Cruise
Old Defence Tower, Lockkeeper's House, Amstel River, the Opera, Herengracht, the Point of Seven Bridges, Prinsengracht, the Skinny Bridge, the Dancing Houses and the Old Town (Red Light District) — or the VOC replica ship instead, if you prefer.
1.5 Hour Cruise
The Rijksmuseum, the old Heineken brewery (Heineken Museum), the Dutch government bank, the Westerkerk and the Houseboat Museum.
2 Hour Cruise
The Anne Frank House and the Jordaan area — Amsterdam's most photographed neighbourhood of narrow streets and small canals.
3 Hour Cruise
Prinseneiland, a man-made island with a beautiful residential neighbourhood — or, as an alternative, the Plantage route around Artis Zoo with plenty of green landscape.
Routes are never fixed. You can ask your captain to change or customise the route at any point during the cruise, and your captain may also suggest an alternative where canal traffic, bridge heights or water conditions make it the better option.
Pickup and Departure Information
Standard departure is near Amsterdam Central Station at Oosterdokskade 8. Pickup from selected canal-side hotels or another convenient location may also be arranged. A longer minimum cruise duration or additional pickup charge may apply depending on location.
Ask About Hotel PickupA Private Boat Tour
Your own boat, captain, departure time and flexible route. The better option for privacy, personal service and a quieter experience.
A Shared Canal Cruise
Usually cheaper, but the schedule, route, seating and onboard experience are fixed and shared with other passengers.
What Guests Say About Boatboys
Highly recommend this private boat tour. The service was impeccable from booking through to the day of my engagement.
Our private tour exceeded all expectations. Our captain picked us up closer to where we were and dropped us at our hotel.
From the historic, perfectly maintained saloon boat to the tour of the city — we're telling all our friends about Boatboys.
Drinks and Optional Cruise Upgrades
Every private cruise includes one welcome drink per guest. Additional wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee and Champagne can be ordered from the onboard menu. Flowers, decorations and photography can also be arranged for proposals, birthdays and other special occasions.
One non-alcoholic welcome drink included
One welcome drink per guest on every cruise.
Champagne upgrades
From Gruet to Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart or Dom Pérignon.
A boutique fleet
Only three boats, so every cruise stays personal.
Private dinner cruise Amsterdam — dine on the water
Float through the canals on our private dinner cruise Amsterdam while enjoying a multi-course meal on board. Seats up to 12 guests; for smaller groups, Tzar and Undine are the perfect choice.
2-course dinner cruise
Minimum 120 minutes for our private boat tour with dinner. Explore the dinner cruise menu →
3- and 4-course fine dining
We recommend 180 minutes for a 3- or 4-course private dinner cruise. Prefer daytime? Ask about our private lunch cruise, breakfast cruise, or the child-friendly pizza cruise.
Fresh, seasonal plates on board
From fresh oysters to a full à la carte spread, our partner restaurants serve restaurant-quality dishes straight to your table on the water.
Want the full dinner menu, restaurant partners and dietary options?
View Private Dinner Cruise Options →Frequently Asked Questions
Private cruises start from €250 for one hour. Longer cruises and optional food, drinks, decorations or pickup services cost extra.
We recommend 90 to 120 minutes for most groups. A one-hour cruise suits the main highlights; a longer cruise gives a more relaxed route with time for quieter canals.
The price includes your private boat, local captain, one welcome drink per guest, VAT and tourist tax.
The fleet accommodates private groups of 2 to 12 guests, depending on the selected boat.
Pickup from selected canal-side hotels may be available. A minimum cruise duration or additional pickup charge may apply depending on location.
The boats have covered or enclosed areas, heating and weather protection, so cruises normally continue in rain or cooler weather.
Yes. Dinner, Champagne, flowers, decorations and photography can be arranged when requested in advance.
Cancel up to 14 days before your tour for a 90% refund. Within 14 days, the booking is non-refundable, though we'll try to reschedule where our planning allows.
Other ways to explore Amsterdam by boat
Last-minute availability
Check last-minute cruise slots, subject to availability.
On a tighter budget?
Try our open boat tour or use the budget calculator.
Evening on the water
See our dedicated evening cruise page.
Your private boat tour Amsterdam awaits
Historic saloon boats, expert local captains, and a fully personalised route — just for your group.
★★★★★ 5.0 · Rated by 288 guests