Tour operator
Lovers Canal Cruises
A canal cruise company sailing since 1956, with a fleet of electric boats and departures from Central Station, the Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein and the Anne Frank House.
Those Dam Boat Guys
A small-boat canal tour company with public tours for up to ten people and private trips, where guests can bring their own food and drinks.
At a glance
- Type
- Small-group canal boat tour
- Area
- Jordaan, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Official site
- thosedamboatguys.com
Good to know
- Small groups
- Bring your own food and drink
- Private tours
- Year-round
Why we recommend it
Those Dam Boat Guys run relaxed, small-boat canal tours with a very different feel from the large glass-roofed tour boats that dominate the main canals. Public tours carry a maximum of ten people, and the company's fleet of Jacksons boats includes vessels for 10, 12 and 28 passengers, so private trips can be arranged for groups of two up to 28. The tours run all year round.
The atmosphere is informal and sociable. Guests are encouraged to bring whatever they want to eat and drink on board, which turns the trip into something between a sightseeing tour and a picnic on the water, and the company can also arrange food and drink packages. The small, open boats can slip into narrower canals, and the guides combine stories about the city's history and architecture with local tips. The company also publishes a map of its own favourite places in the city, which is useful for planning the rest of your stay.
The tours suit groups of friends, couples and anyone who wants a more personal canal trip. Because guests can bring drinks, the mood on board is often lively, so families with young children may prefer a private tour. Birthday groups and colleagues on an outing may find the private option especially convenient.
Public tour times are listed on the company's booking page, and booking ahead is recommended, especially for summer evenings and weekends, as the small boats fill quickly. Dress for the weather: the boats are open, so bring a layer for cooler evenings and waterproofs in rain. Questions about bookings can be sent by email or by phone. Arrive a few minutes early at the meeting point so the boat can leave on time.
The company's meeting point is at Prinsenstraat 13h, a short street linking the Herengracht and the Prinsengracht on the edge of the Jordaan and the canal ring. It is about ten minutes' walk from Central Station and close to the Noordermarkt, Winkel 43 and the Anne Frank House, so a cruise is easy to combine with a walk through the Jordaan or a meal nearby. The Haarlemmerstraat shopping street is just to the north.
Those Dam Boat Guys FAQs
How big are the groups?
Public tours have a maximum of ten people; private tours are for 2 to 28.
Can you bring drinks on board?
Yes, guests can bring their own food and drinks.
Do tours run in winter?
Yes, the company cruises the canals all year round.
Where do tours start?
The meeting point is at Prinsenstraat 13h.
How do you book?
Through the booking page on the website, where public tour times are listed.
Are private tours available?
Yes, for groups of 2 to 28 people.
How do you contact them?
By email at [email protected] or by phone.
What should you wear?
The boats are open, so dress for the weather and bring a layer.