Trips to and in Germany
24 Januari 2026 -
Germany: our eastern neighbor, and a boater’s paradise
Germany is our eastern neighbour and a country that lends itself extremely well to travelling by boat. Its dense and well-maintained network of rivers, canals and coastal waterways makes it possible to plan routes of almost any length or character. As of lately they also start to see the advantages of maintaining a proper infrastructure for pleasure vessels. Specifically in (larger) Locks.
In the northwest, towns such as Emden, Leer and Papenburg are attractive destinations in their own right, with a strong maritime character and good facilities for pleasure craft. From here, routes continue towards larger ports such as Wilhelmshaven, while longer passages can even lead as far as Kiel.
Heading south opens up a very different landscape. Inland waterways allow for journeys towards Münster and further on to Koblenz, where the Moselle and the Rhine meet. Along the way, the character of the route changes gradually from open waterways to narrower rivers with towns and countryside close at hand.
By crossing the border from the North Sea, and using connections such as the Haren–Rütenbrock Canal and the Rhine, a vast part of Germany becomes accessible by water. Once inside this network, the number of possible routes is effectively unlimited, making Germany an excellent destination for both shorter trips and extended voyages.
There are several ways to enter Germany from The Netherlands:
Navigate German Waterways
German Waterways
24 Januari 2026
Main Waterways in Germany
There are many, many waterways in Germany. Most are shortened, some are fully named. We will try to make a short list of the short names of the waterways we are mentioning.
By creating this list, you have some oversight of what is where and how to reach it. We will try to update this as often as possible if there are significant changes. But probably this will be a very static database. However, it gives you leads to where each waterway will connect and where you can go. (theoretically)
We don't list ALL the waterways here, because that is just insane. We are not the proper entity to do so, but we want to provide you general ideas of how to reach what, and from where.
Notice! We do try to use the official information from (Eu)Ris and other sources from the German instances/agencies. The smaller waterways that aren't covered, we can't provide accurate information for. We hope you'll understand this. On this site there are enough disclaimers, so please understand you cannot hold us responsible for any wrong information.
| Short | Name | Length | Start | Finish | Connects |
|---|
Northsea Routes -
From the Dutch coast
Along the Dutch Northsea coast, there are several routes to Germany. Those have different starting points and different entry points. Below here you find some "wet finger" estimations from/to. In our opinion, those routes are for sailboats, and are boring because of distances.
| Emden | Wilhelmshaven | Bremerhaven | Cuxhaven | Hamburg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Den Helder | 102.7 | 136.5 | 151.1 | 157.2 | 201.7 |
| IJmuiden | 130.9 | 164.7 | 179.4 | 185.5 | 229.9 |
| Rotterdam | 167.2 | 201.0 | 215.7 | 221.8 | 266.3 |
| Scheveningen | 155.2 | 189.0 | 203.7 | 209.7 | 254.2 |
| Harlingen | 80.2 | 114.0 | 128.7 | 134.7 | 179.2 |
| Delfzijl (direct) | 10.1 | 46.2 | 60.7 | 71.1 | 110.6 |
Per Location sets
Per location you can make your own calculations
Den Helder - Emden
Den Helder - Wilhelmshafen
You get the point
By now, you get the point. Going all the way over the northsea is boring for a motor-vessel.
Waddensea Routes -
Over the Waddensea
Along the Northern part of The Netherlands and Germany and the western side of Denmark, are the "Wadden islands", and the "Waddensea" (The area between the Islands and the mainland).
In the Wadden Sea, the behaviour of tidal channels is not governed by tidal currents alone. Wind is an equally important factor. The combined effect of tide and wind continuously reshapes the seabed: channels can migrate, deepen, silt up, or shift position altogether. As a result, a passage that is perfectly navigable today may be partially blocked or even unsafe tomorrow! Especially after a period of strong or persistent winds.
For that reason, it is essential to carry the latest official charts and tidal information on board and to ensure they are updated with the most recent notices and local updates. Treat any older route information with caution, and never assume that yesterday’s depths, buoyage, or channel alignment will still be valid. If you are navigating in shallow or shifting areas, plan conservatively: double-check the route, confirm expected depths, and allow extra margins for safety.
Always factor the forecast into your decision-making. Wind direction and strength can significantly affect water levels (set-up and set-down), wave conditions, and the practical depth available over shoals. Make sure you have appropriate contingency plans and safety measures in place for the scenario where you do touch bottom or become grounded, such as clear communication procedures, sufficient fuel and provisions, and the ability to wait safely for the next tide.
Rule of thumb: cross shallow areas on a rising tide. If you attempt the crossing on a falling tide and run aground, the water will continue to drop and you may have to wait much longer for enough depth to refloat. Ideally, time your crossing close to the turn of the tide (around high water) so you still have a safety margin and, if needed, the tide will not immediately work against you.
Having this said we can only tell you that when you want to make trips from the Dutch part of the Waddensea to Germany, you have to plan those yourself, using the latest information available, which you check right before you start your trip. Not a month, not a week, but just a day before you start!
Dollard/Dollart Routes -
Border Disputes
The Dollard (AKA Dollart) is the disputed border part between the Netherlands and Germany. Where The Netherlands says: The border lays in the middle of the water, Germany claims that the border is at the Dutch Shore. So, you can look at this from 2 different perspectives: The Dutch and German perspective. We will take the Dutch perspective, because else this section would be very, very short and boring......
Although it is disputed, it is also an amazing area to navigate. There are (among others) the following main-routes on the Dollard:
- To/From Nieuwe Statenzijl (*)
- To/From Termunterzijl (**)
- To/From Delfzijl
- To/From Emden
- To/From the Ems River
- To/From the Dutch and German waddensea-routes
- To/From the Northsea
(*) A very adventurous route to take. You need proper preparations for this section!
(**) Series of the Canicula on Youtube
Due to the fact that all those are on tidal waters, and also the Dollard "acts" like the Waddensea, you have to plan your trips properly and verify at the last moment if your plans are still realistic.
Routes from/to Emden, Delfzijl, the Ems River or towards the Wadden- or Northsea are mostly very well documented and deep enough. On the other hand, navigating to Nieuwe Statenzijl might be a challenge!
From/To, All combinations are possible!
The forementioned locations are reachable from all the other locations. But I guess that became clear the moment you did see the image regarding the Dollard (Dollart).
Also for these parts, the same goes as for the Waddensea! Make sure you have (very) recent water-charts. And that you have the proper equipment and provisions. Wear your safety-vests. Also, download the KNRM APP (Download your manual here)
Support the KNRM!
Help them to help others!
I would like to ask you to become a donor for the KNRM.
The KNRM is a fully private organisation, completely run by volunteers, financed by contributions and donations. You will find all information about them on the website.
You can choose from a single one time payment or a monthly or yearly donation. Please Support them.
Our personal opinion is that every person out on the water should, by law be told to make a donation of €25,- per year. But that is just our opinion.
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The legal stuff needed because of stupid....
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