Guías
⛵ Staande Mastroute
Across the Netherlands with the mast up — the classic inland link between the North Sea, IJsselmeer and the Delta. With map, current 2026 status and live notices along the route.
Schematic course — teal: main route · dashed: eastern branch (closed 2026) · markers: current notices
⚠️ 2026: no continuous passage
In 2026 the route has broken into sections: the Schipholbrug stays closed for mast heights above 6.25 m until at least the end of 2026, the Schinkelbrug likely until 2030 — shutting the eastern branch south of Amsterdam. On the western branch the defective Buitenhuizerbrug (broken since 5 February 2026, closure of unknown duration — check the live notices) blocks the Noordzeekanaal approach for heights above 6.82 m; lower vessels pass. The Algerabrug (Krimpen a/d IJssel) is closed to tall shipping from 13 July to 28 September 2026 — passage under the fixed bridge (8.4 m above NAP) remains possible. The Delta waters up to Willemstad, the north between the IJsselmeer and Delfzijl, and individual passages remain navigable — see the live notices below for details. In Fryslân, during Sneekweek (31 July–7 Aug 2026, sailing regatta) the passage through Sneek is closed to through-traffic — local signs: no passage from 31 July 16:00, no berths in the town canal 31 July–7 Aug. For the north–south leg use the bypass via the Prinses Margrietkanaal (Grou–Terherne–Lemmer); when in doubt, ask locally.
As of 12 August 2026 — official notices to skippers prevail.
🧭 North: Delfzijl ↔ Lemmer / Wadden Sea
From the sea locks at Delfzijl via the Eemskanaal to Groningen — then NOT through the Van Starkenborgh/Prinses Margriet canals (fixed bridges!), but north-west along the Reitdiep to Zoutkamp and across the Lauwersmeer, on through the Dokkumer Grootdiep to Dokkum and along the Dokkumer Ee (note: max. draught approx. 1.95 m) to Leeuwarden. From there south via Grou to Lemmer on the IJsselmeer. Branches to the Wadden Sea: from Leeuwarden to Harlingen, at Lauwersoog, or through the Afsluitdijk at Kornwerderzand or Den Oever.
🌊 IJsselmeer & Markermeer
From Lemmer across the open IJsselmeer to Enkhuizen (Krabbersgat naviduct) or through the Houtrib locks at Lelystad, then across the Markermeer to the Oranjesluizen on the edge of Amsterdam. Treat it as proper inland-sea sailing — take wind and waves seriously; our fairway-news page carries the marine forecast for the IJsselmeer.
🌉 Middle: through or around Amsterdam
Through the city you travel in convoy (at night, 12 movable bridges and one lock). Western alternative: via the Noordzeekanaal and the Spaarne through Haarlem, then south along the Ringvaart. The eastern branch via Schinkel–Schiphol–Aalsmeer is closed in 2026 (see above).
🏰 South: Gouda ↔ Willemstad & Delta
From Gouda (Julianasluis; bridge openings there and at the Schiphol bridge are limited to a few slots per day — planning item no. 1!) along the Hollandse IJssel, past the Algerabrug to Dordrecht, across the Noord and Hollands Diep to Willemstad. From there through the Delta waters towards the Oosterschelde, Veerse Meer and Vlissingen.
🗓️ Planning
Rule of thumb: 9 km/h cruising speed. Check daily operating times of all bridges and locks on vaarweginformatie.nl (or carry the ANWB Wateralmanak); convoy and closure times change during the year. If you are planning the route, subscribe to our fairway alerts for IJsselmeer & Markermeer and Zeeland & Delta — new closures then arrive by e-mail.
⚓ No sustituye a los avisos oficiales a los navegantes — prevalecen las fuentes originales; sin garantía de integridad ni actualidad.