#1 outdoor activity in Amsterdam on
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Are you ready to join the #1 Light Festival Cruise in Amsterdam? With the last editions of the Light Festival we welcomed thousands of guests onto our brand-new boats, we are hoping to see many our guests return and welcome aboard many more new faces to enjoy this fantastic annual festival of some of the world’s finest contemporary art against the backdrop of Amsterdam’s beautiful and historic 17th century canal belt.
Due to high demand, we advice you to book in advance.
Choose your perfect day and time
Select your drink package and confirm your booking
Have Fun on board with your friends, family, partners or by yourself
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You are one step away from calculating your cruise costs. Come and enjoy our boat tour to remember. See the stunning sights of Amsterdam the best way – on our luxurious boat with a cold drink in your hand!
Why Starboard is perfect for you
Embark on Amsterdam’s highest-reviewed canal experience, where our commitment to exceptional quality has earned us countless five-star ratings from delighted guests worldwide. Our consistent excellence on the water is reflected in the glowing testimonials from travellers who highlight our attentive service, knowledgeable crew, and the unforgettable memories created aboard Starboard – making us the clear choice for those seeking the very best Amsterdam canal cruise experience.
Meet the passionate individuals behind Starboard Boats Amsterdam, a dedicated team of canal enthusiasts and hospitality experts committed to transforming your Amsterdam experience from ordinary to extraordinary with every cruise.
For any questions feel free to reach out to us
The Amsterdam Light Festival 2024-25 is set to run from the 27 November 2025 until 18 January 2026. The exhibitions will be illuminated during the evenings and Starboard’s boats will be setting sail regularly throughout the festival. In these dark winter months, the brightly lit instillations lining the beautiful canals are certainly a cheering sight!
The tours will depart daily from the Starboard Dock at 16:30, 16:45, 17:00, 18:15, 18:30, 19:45, 20:00, 20:15, & 21:30. One tour takes approximately 75 minutes.
Tickets for our public ALF cruises only cost €35 p.p including open bar & welcome snack for adults and €25 p.p for children. This includes the Amsterdam Light Festival fee. Get your tickets for this edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival quick since seating is limited!
The fourteenth edition is dedicated to Legacy. We ask artists a timeless question: How will we be remembered? Or perhaps more importantly: How do we want to be remembered? Every generation encounters its own challenges—some inherited from our ancestors, others of our own making. We receive the world in the state we find it, yet our legacy will be defined by what we choose to leave behind.
After Amsterdam marked its 750th anniversary by reflecting on the past, the focus now shifts to looking forward—toward the future of the city and generations across the globe.
Artists from around the world are invited to use light as a medium to explore what we preserve and what we pass on. From skeletal pavilions and festive arches of light to digital projections and intricate hand-drawn creations, each work carries a personal story that together reflects the spirit of our time.
Along the route, you’ll discover that legacy is not always tangible. The installations are temporary, yet they live on in memory. Together, they form a living archive of ideas, emotions, and values. They remind us that legacy is not only what endures after us, but something we shape continuously, in the present.
Enjoy the festival from the Amsterdam canals and let Starboard Boats guide you through this wonderful world of art. Experience the festival first-class in our modern, comfortable and electric boat. During the 75-minute tour (depending on traffic), our educated guide will elaborate on the artworks on the quay and in the canals. With room for up to 30 people and optional drinks and bites, we provide an intimate cruise that will be the highlight of your trip to Amsterdam.
Setting sail from the Starboard Dock, the route goes through some of the most picturesque and historic waterways of City Centre such as the Amstel River and the famous Amsterdam Canal Belt.
Pick up point: Starboard Dock, Amstel 178.
Due to traffic on the canals, our tours might depart up to 30 minutes late during the holiday period.
Have a look at our most frequently asked questions to help plan your perfect boat experience. We’ve compiled answers to common inquiries about our private and shared cruises to ensure your journey on Amsterdam’s beautiful canals is smooth and enjoyable.
Yes, dogs are welcome on a private cruise. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on shared cruises.
The cruises depart from Amstel 178 or Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, depending on your booked ticket.
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