Wadden Sea island-hopping Sail and Bike Tour

Sail and bike tours are something very special. Feel the freedom, the wind and salt on your skin! It’s a little bit like discovering the seas and new areas as a modern-day explorer. Aboard one of the most comfortable sailing ships, you will experience pure nature while enjoying water, sun and a stiff breeze on the big inland lake IJsselmeer and the so-called “Wadden Sea”, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve. During this Sail and Bike tour, you can explore the beautiful and unique Frisian Sea and some of its islands. It is a world with two faces, where sand and water dominate during the changeover from low to high tide and where islands of all sizes line up like pearls on a chain. There are tidal channels, seagrass meadows, mussel beds, sandbanks, mudflats, salt marshes, beaches and dunes.

The Frisian Sea is the habitat of marine mammals, such as seals and porpoises, and the breeding ground and wintering area for millions of birds. The area is one of the last remaining large-scale, low-tide ecosystems where natural processes continue to function. Furthermore, you will visit the famous (freshwater lake) IJsselmeer and its beautiful coastline with many fishing villages and old trading harbour towns.

Highlights of the tour are the North Sea islands of Texel and Terschelling and their beautiful natural areas, small villages and long sandy beaches that you can explore by bicycle. Highlights on the coasts of the mainland in the provinces of North-Holland and Friesland are a combination of rural areas, small villages and picturesque harbour towns: a true “El Dorado” for cyclists. If you like, onboard, you may be instructed by the experienced crew to lend a hand during navigating and raising the sails. Sailing experience is not necessary. But of course, you are also very welcome to just relax and enjoy the sailing and scenery. Since the ships are very large (up to 55 meters/60 yards) and very stable, there is almost no risk of seasickness. If you still would like to take precautions, we advise regular seasickness medication.

Accommodation:

On the lower deck, the ship offers a large lounge/restaurant with TV, which is characterized by its luxurious appearance and flexible furnishing. From here you can reach the large wheelhouse with a cosy and stylish bar and seating area. The panoramic windows offer a perfect all-around view of the water. Wi-Fi is also available. The afterdeck has an outdoor cafe with draught beer tap and a Jacuzzi and on the middle deck, there are various sitting areas with room to enjoy a lovely meal outdoors and watch the scenery while sailing. On the lower deck, the ship has twelve identical twin cabins (8,5 m² – 91 sq.ft.), each with two separate single beds which can be set together and a  folding bed as a third bed which can be used if needed. In each cabin there is a bathroom with a shower, toilet and basin. All cabins have ventilation, central heating and two portholes of which one can be opened. Furthermore, you will find a mini-safe in each cabin.

Important observations on the Sail and Bike program:

A little bit of adventure is a part of every Sail and Bike tour: the departure/arrival day and the location Enkhuizen are a certainty, 100%. The planned daily sailing routes are partially dependent on the strength and direction of the winds and on the Wadden Seas high and low tide. The skipper decides the best route to be taken day by day, and discusses the options with his guests. The crew does everything in its power to enable the program to run according to plan and to offer you as fascinating, varied and active week as possible, in which nature and culture play a major part. It is, however, also possible that departure times and the time spent on the water and even the order of the program itself may be adjusted. Enjoy the ride and let yourself be led by the elements! Whenever possible, various passages will be undertaken fully rigged and anyone who would like to help the crew to sail and steer the boat is welcome to do so. This is of course absolutely up to you and no sailing experience is necessary.

Included in the Wadden Sea Sail and Bike Tour:

• 8 days/7 nights
• 7x Breakfast
• 5 x packed lunches & 1 x lunch on board
• 6 x 3-course dinner on board & 1 x packed dinner
• Coffee and tea on board 
• Welcome drink
• Use of bed linen and towels
• Daily cleaning of the cabin
• Daily briefings by the crew
• Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
• GPS tracks
• Use of a waterproof pannier bag
• Wi-Fi
• Water bottle

Not included in the tour:

• Drinks
• Bicycle rental or E-bike rental
• Helmet rental
• Personal insurances
• Gratuities (at your discretion)
• Entrance fees and excursions
• Fees for ferries
• Transfers to/from the docking place
• Parking fees

Notes:

• All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.
• The daily bike tours are individual, conducted at your own pace and without a tour leader. There are daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and route notes are available. GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the start date of the tour.
• During the days when 2 bicycle options are possible, you can make a choice for the longer or the shorter option.
• Not all mentioned highlights will be visited during the short bike option.
• In case you prefer a day of rest, you can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next town.
• On the arrival day is it possible to bring your luggage on board from 11 a.m.

Arrival/parking/departure:

• Parking behind the NS-train station in Enkhuizen is free, but can be very crowded
• Departure Saturdays only

If you would like to rent a bike (90 EUR) or e-bike (225 EUR) helmet (10 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]

Slow Tours offers other Sail & Bike tours in Europe

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