Always sail with an all-round bright white light!
Boating is free in almost all of Amsterdam, but be careful of all other water users.
Tour boats and other commercial vessels always have priority.
Sail right,
Be clearly visible,
0% alcohol,
No amplified music on board!
A number of canals are one-way!
Official site of Waternet: sailing rules and the like
The canals are extremely busy during King's Day and the Canal Parade during Gay Pride. It is not wise to go canoeing in the city.
Pay close attention to all the boats around you and assess whether the skipper has full control of his or her boat and whether he or she has seen you! A lot of collisions happen then. Expect that not everyone is sober on board.
This also applies on some nice Friday/Saturday evenings. Please be careful.
Also for canoes, avoid a high fine!
You can easily moor your canoe in a limited number of places. Do not moor at jetties of tour boats and hotels, etc. You can easily moor near Museum Nemo at the Oosterdok, at the Entrepotdok, and near the shopping area in the IJhaven. It is best to park and sail at the Admiralengracht or the Westlandgracht. You can also easily board the Amstel at the A10 viaduct (Oudekerkerdijk). Paid parking applies everywhere in Amsterdam.
Entry ban Grimburgwal:
The municipality has imposed a permanent ban on entering the Grimburgwal. This means that you are not allowed to sail onto the Grimburgwal if you come from the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. As a result, the large boats on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal sail in the same direction. This way we prevent congestion on busy days.
One-way traffic Grimburgwal:
Permanent prohobition of entry. You may not enter the Grimburgwal from the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. This measure is to prevent traffic jams.
One-way traffic Prinsengracht:
On the Prinsengracht there is a one-way traffic measure until April 1, 2019. You may sail from the 'IJ' to the Amstel. In other words from north till south.
This water map shows all the routes you can sail by canoe and SUP in Amsterdam Nieuw West, including routes to the Amsterdam forest, handy crossing points and challenging routes for the adventurer!