Round Holland, past bridges and canals
Our neighbours to the north are a water sports people! And we have to admit it, they are much more attentive to nature conservation and you will find beautiful historical towns.
The various large bodies of water such as Eastern Scheldt, Grevelingen, Haringvliet, Hollands Diep, Volkerak, Veerse Meer are connected by rivers and canals. Although you can’t sail on these routes all the time, the scenery and journey are worth it!
At several places you have to pass bridges and locks, each trip involves a lot of work beforehand to check the different opening times. These passages are an experience in themselves, each lock is teamwork.
This is a destination with less North Sea, much more sheltered inland waterways, so ideal for lovers of quiet work.
The scenario for a round trip Holland:
Haringvliet, Hollands Diep, Volkerak, Krammer, Eastern Scheldt, back to North Sea via Canal through Zuid Beveland and the Westerschelde. Very nice is 2nd option: Veerse Meer and Canal through Walcheren past Middelburg to Flushing.
Conveniently and what we often plan is starting with a jump to the furthest point: Ostend – Haringvliet: 60-70 miles of North Sea sailing. Beyond the Haringvliet dam, there are two marinas: Stellendam and Hellevoetsluis.
Hellevoetsluis has several marinas within walking distance of or in the beautiful city centre.
The Haringvliet is sailing water, past the island of Tiengemeten and of course watch out for drafts!
Find out if the big Haringvliet bridge opens! There have been mechanical problems since 2021 that can reportedly drag on for a long time. In some periods, passage is only possible a few times a week. If that poses a problem, we will go up the “Spui” towards the Oude Maas (below Rotterdam) and Dortse Kil. For this route, we again inquire about the opening hours of the various bridges.
After the bridge or the trip past Rotterdam, Willemstad is a fine stopover on the Hollands Diep!
On the Volkerak there are picturesque little harbours, with Elise‘s draft of 2.3m they are not for us!
The waterway merges seamlessly into the Krammer, we are almost at the Eastern Scheldt. As we sail through the Krammer locks, there is another lock to starboard: to Grevelingen Lake. Immediately after the lock is Bruinisse marina, here is a holiday park and recreational facilities. There are also several yacht supply companies and a shipyard (Halberg-Rassy has its sales harbour here).
On to the Eastern Scheldt via the Zijpe and the Mastgat.
The entire Eastern Scheldt and its surroundings is a National Park! We notice this in the landscape. We have ample choice between several picturesque marinas and towns.
If we are in a hurry, we head for Wemeldinge, where the Canal through Zuid-Beveland begins, taking us to Hansweert and the Westerschelde. Along this busy waterway, between large container ships and tankers to the North Sea.
Do we have time? Then there are Goes and Yerseke on the east side of the Zeeland Bridge, are we in time for the bridge opening?
Zierikzee is worth a stop, time has stood still in its narrow streets and centre.
You can get from the Eastern Scheldt to the North Sea in three ways.
Past the Roompot lock at the storm surge barrier and Neeltje Jans, Elise can’t get out! The fixed bridge only has a clearance of 20m, which is too little!
We already mentioned the canal through Zuid-Beveland to the Westerschelde.
The third option is a very nice one! Through Lake Veere, past the marinas of Wolphaartsdijk and Kortgene, perhaps a stopover at historic Veere?
After the lock at Veere, the canal through Walcheren begins , back an idyllic cruise to Middelburg and so on to Flushing. Each of the towns we sail before is worth a visit, a choice forces itself upon us, if not we will be on the road for months!
After Flushing, we cross the busy Westerschelde, straight to the North Sea and Ostend, unless anyone wants to stop in Breskens.
Too much choice?
Zeeland and the Eastern Scheldt have a lot to offer. Being well prepared and making choices is necessary.
A full round trip: Haringvliet, Hollands Diep, Volkerak, Oosterschelde, back to North Sea via Canal through Zuid Beveland and the Westerschelde: count at least four, for safety’s sake five days.
If you return via Veerse Meer and Middelburg, you will need five to six days.
To the Haringvliet and Hellevoetsluis, back and forth via the North Sea can be done in three days.
Flushing, Breskens are at day distance single trip, with some luck Middelburg round trip is feasible on a two-day trip.
What we mention here is foreseeable without one or more visits. Don’t worry, we will make the itinerary together.
