Flanders

Flanders: a land of water? At a first glance on a map, not much water is to be seen. True, you've got the Flemish coast, the river Scheldt and a few of its tributeries… but that must be almost all there is!

Well equipped marinas
However, this Flemish coast hosts four well equipped marinas in Nieuwpoort, Oostende, Blankenberge and Zeebrugge, where you can combine an agreeable stay on the water with the charms and possibilities of a normal sea resort. You can reach them not only by sea, but by inland waterways as well. Numerous other coastal localities have beach clubs where surfers and catamaran addicts are most welcome. But that is where "navigable” Flanders ends… or does it?

Cities can be reached by water
The average foreign yachtsman's additional knowledge of Flanders is usually restricted to the main cities: Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp and of course Bruges. He knows them as cities with quite a number of tourist attractions: a magnificent history presented in an attractive fashion, exquisite restaurants, numerous excursion possibilities and extensive hotel accommodation. In short: lively cities, each of them worth a visit. Another thing they have in common is only visible when you take a closer look at an inland water map: all of these cities can be reached by water! And what is more they all have their own mooring possibilities, sometimes almost even in the town centre itself. This could turn your boating holiday into one long series of agreeable and interesting visits.

However, don't be afraid that your mooring possibilities will be restricted to these - admittedly - sometimes crowded spots. The same water map shows us an intricate waterway network of no less than 1,396 kilometres, often with a rural and idyllic character. On the one hand it offers access to almost all regions and charming smaller towns in Flanders, ranging from the moors in Limburg (Marec Marina) to the flat polders in its utmost Western part (Nieuwpoort Euro yacht harbour). On the other hand this network is connected to all the important waterways in the surrounding countries and regions. Dutch, French and German yachting people, and of course our own fellow countrymen in the Walloon region have an easy access by water, in fact often as easy as by road.

Agreeable access
And even better: this access is much more agreeable. AWZ, the Flemish Government's Administration for Waterways and Sea, has made it an affair of honour to improve the accessibility of the inland waterways with their locks and bridges, and this in cooperation with Promotie Binnenvaart Vlaanderen. New marinas and resting places have been built, magnificent (nautical) guides for all regions have been edited. The numerous yacht clubs and waterski clubs along the waterways offer a constantly improving accommodation for yachting people passing by. And the interesting spots, with good restaurants and 'cafés' offering typical and famous regional beer are never far away…

"Toervaart"
In addition, three yachting federations annually organize their ”TOERVAART" event. Hundreds of motor boats - amongst them a fair amount of other nationalities - gather somewhere, mostly in May or June. During two or three days, they enjoy quite a lot of activities which have been organized on their behalf: town visits, excursions in the surroundings, official receptions and, of course, extensive and enjoyable evening ”activities". They are all appreciated for that typical and well-know Flemish hospitality. To get there you naturally need a boat. There too, Flanders has to offer a lot, new constructions or restored boats. If you get a chance, you should go and visit the restoration of classical craft. These activities are often sponsored by the government. They help to reintegrate unemployed people by teaching them new skills.

Charter
The quality of the new boats is in high esteem abroad. Every true and safety conscious sailor knows the unsinkable Etap sailing yachts, in the near future complemented by their unsinkable motorboats. The craftsmanship of the Vennekens motor and sailing yachts is undisputed, and the die hards find their way to the Spirit yachts. And in steel built yachts (e.g. Macon) and GRP boats Flanders has something to offer as well. And if you do not own that boat, there is always the possibility to charter one: at the seaside or inland, many attractive craft are waiting for your command. You can find a list of charter firms through the Flemish nautical branch association Nauti www.nautiv.be

Useful addresses:

AWZ (Administratie Waterwegen en Zeewezen):
www.awz.be

PBV (Promotie Binnenvaart Vlaanderen):
www.binnenvaart.be

Toerisme Vlaanderen:
www.toerismevlaanderen.be

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