For July’s CAptain’s Mate of the Month, we drop into the Netherlands and the Rotterdam Marina.
Previously called City Marina, it is a large and modern marina on the south side of the Nieuwe Maas in the Entrepothaven. Skippers will need to call VHF 20 for an opening, and do note that the bridge will not open during rush hour, so plan accordingly! The location is good for shelter, with the relatively small entrance protecting against the wash of passing barges. The marina is a popular spot for club rally cruises, so you may want to book ahead in summer months.
There are showers, laundry and fuel all in the marina. Local amenities include supermarkets and plenty of restaurants around the marina. Rotterdam is a vibrant city full of architecture and cultural diversity, and you are only a short walk from the tram that takes you into the centre.
CA member Iain Kidson visited in August last year. He shares the good news that mooring is now lower at EUR2.75 euro per metre!
Iain’s report continues, with insights including, "Note that the shortest walk to Metro and tram is at the opposite end of the very long pontoon from Harbour Master’s office with gate operated by same key card. This is also the shortest route to Jumbo (supermarket) in the east end of the Entrepot building on the north side of the marina. Left through gate to Metro, right to Jumbo."
In 2022, Iain received the CA’s Polaris Award in recognition of his contributions to location-based information on CAptain’s Mate.
Honorary Local Representatives (HLR)
CA members can receive support from the CA Honorary Local Representative based in Rotterdam. HLRs provide support for things like emergency repairs, mooring arrangements, securing visas, translations, guidance on local customs and bureaucracy, provisioning, land transport and excursions. And if the HLR can't help, they will know someone who can.
Cruising the Netherlands with the CA
The Netherlands boasts over 6,000 km of navigable waterways, and there is nominally no charge for cruising them, although tolls for lift and swing bridges are common. Sailors in the Netherlands enjoy a unique advantage in that many of the most interesting features of the country are best seen from the water.
Do take a look at the CA’s comprehensive range of European Inland Waterways cruising guides, many of which cover the Netherlands. These are free for members to download. Non-members can access the free guidance notes or buy the PDF or print versions. Find out more at www.theca.org.uk/public/sections/eiw.
The CA's Cruising Almanac provides information on the North Sea and approaches to the Netherlands.
About CAptain’s Mate
CAptain’s Mate was voted as the 'Equipment Innovation of the Year'at the 2022 British Yachting Awards. CAptain’s Mate provides an unrivalled breadth of information and cruising reports covering 7,500+ locations in 100+ countries around the world. It features up to date, accurate and trusted location data on anchorages, marinas, ports, harbours, boatyards along with their facilities and amenities
Thanks to our members, almost 300 new locations spanning more than 30 countries have been added to CAptain’s Mate so far in 2024.
CAptain’s Mate of the Month locations
Each month we feature a CAptain’s Mate location to inspire your cruising adventures and display the vast depth of information accessible on the app.
January 2024 featured Prickly Bay, Grenada, in February we headed to Darsena dell Orologio, Italy, in March to Porto Santo, Madeira, St Helier, Jersey in April, Aalborg Lystbaadehavn, Denmark in May and Il-Hofra I-Kbira / Malta in June. In 2023 we showcased Visby - Sweden / Seville, Spain / Antwerp, Belgium / Sassnitz, Germany / Tangier, Morocco / Amsterdam, Netherlands / Alkionidhes Islands, Greece / Porto Montenegro in Tivat, Montenegro / Skjaerhalden, Norway / Tammasaari, Finland / Rīga, Latvia and Deep Bay, Antigua.
3 July 2024