Off The Beaten Path Hidden Gems Canal Cruise
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
We drift different. While other boats herd 50+ people with megaphones, we keep it small and real. Think Amsterdam friends who own a boat.
Your captains, Jannah & Beer were born here. They know which bridge lights up best, where locals like to drink coffee and share some real life stories of crazy stuff we experienced on the canals.
Come as you are. Kick off shoes, grab blankets, help yourself to drinks. This isn't a museum boat - it's floating through Amsterdam in your friend's living room.
We skip tourist traps for hidden gems. You'll float past where Amsterdam actually lives. Max 6 people means real conversations.
Amsterdam moves fast. We move at water speed. No rush, no stress. Just good people and calm water.
You'll see Amsterdam like locals do - from the water, with people who live here. Plus you get a Polaroid and our insider map.
Welcome aboard. Welcome home.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Brouwersgracht
Brouwersgracht, the brewers' canal, made Amsterdam rich with beer money 400 years ago. The fancy houses you see? Built by beer makers who got wealthy here. Now artists and locals live in old warehouses. You'll spot houseboats covered in flowers where people actually live year-round
Herengracht
Herengracht has been Amsterdam's fanciest street since 1612, when rich guys built massive houses here. These belonged to mayors and traders who got wealthy from spice trading. These aren't museums - they're still the most expensive homes in Europe. The canal stretches 2.4 kilometers through the heart of the city.
Options
Hidden Gems Cruise w Open Bar
Open Bar: Unlimited drinks flow like the canal beneath you. No judgy bartender, no overpriced tiny pours. Come thirsty. Leave happy.
Hidden Gems Cruise
What‘s Included
Small group energy
Insider Map of the cafés, museums, restaurants & more, that we like to go too.
Covered in case of rain
Cozy blankets
Good vibes guarantee
That Polaroid moment
Available for regular prices onboard
Feel free to bring your own though!
Available for regular prices onboard
Instagram performance pressure
Weather guarantees
Scripted tour guide speech
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
14 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A very pleasant cruise
Kevin B,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Meeting point was very easy to find convenient to Amsterdam Centraal. Janna, our captain, reached out to us to reschedule our reservation due to code red heat warning, so we took advantage of an earlier time. As it turned out we were the only 2 on the boat! We had a very pleasant and informative 90 minute cruise. Jannah was very personable and we really appreciated her consideration regarding the schedule. Highly recommended!
Perfect!
Valery L,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.0010/10. Cute boat, good communication before the trip, and Joshua was sweet, a great host, made it fun, and was like an encyclopedia of knowledge! You cannot ask him a question he doesn’t know. Could’ve cruised around all day!
Please do not overlook...
Jennifer G,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Please do not overlook this tour!! If you want something quaint and personable versus crowded and loud, this is the tour for you. Our guide grew up in Amsterdam and was very knowledgeable about the area, waterways, nature, etc! She was also very understanding when we could not find the meeting place right away. She helped us find our way! Also- only my husband and I had booked the time we went, so we ended up with a private tour!!
Best canal cruise around
Abbey R,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely amazing experience! A beautiful boat with a knowledgeable captain. They adjusted the journey based on our interests and had lots of fun facts and information about all the sights. They even had dinner recommendations based on where we were going to be later that evening. Highly recommend the quiet and personal experience this tour can give you. Better than any other larger tour that is not catered to your interests.
A wonderful experience!
Matthew W,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A very welcoming personal boat trip around the Canals of Amsterdam. It really was perfect. It was decided that whilst being in Amsterdam, one of the "must do`s" is a canal trip, but we did not wish to be herded onto a large boat with plenty of others. We then read a few reviews of this wonderful little tour. As there were not so many reviews, we thought we would take a chance. We can honestly say we made the correct decision. We arrived on the side of the canal early. Diana (the name of the boat) arrived along with Johanna as skipper. From then on, we knew this was going to be great despite the late October grey sky. We expected more people to show up as the trip was advertised for a "small group, with a maximum of 6 people". However, when Johanna got off the boat, she informed us that we were the only ones who had booked. We were informed the small business has only been going since the summer and are happy to take anyone that books the tour, even if it was only going to be 1 person. Therefore, we had the boat to ourselves. Johanna, said for us to be comfortable, relax, kick off the shoes, wrap yourselves in the blankets and pull up the cushions.... which we certainly did. We then had the most amazing tour through the canals of Amsterdam, just what we wanted. Johanna has lived in Amsterdam all her life, so it was interesting chatting with her, getting to know all the facts and how real people from Amsterdam feel about the place and how they live. Thank you, Johanna, for making the trip memorable. We certainly hope more people that visit Amsterdam would choose this way to see the canals. Thank you for helping us make some wonderful memories.
Laid back, unique, and the best way to see the city! We loved how they truly "drifted differently".
F953YZsarahr,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of the best decisions of our first trip to Amsterdam. We wanted a low key experience and a small group setting to explore Amsterdam from the canals - this absolutely delivered. Beer was such a wonderful host - clearly knowledgeable and passionate about his city. We were fortunate enough to have the boat to ourselves, and we had great conversation the whole time. We had so many questions, and Beer was so kind and patient to address every single one. Architecture, the locks, history, real estate, the Red Light District... anything was on topic. True to the description, there was no scripted tour, and no dull moments. We learned so much about the canals and culture of the city. The boat, itself, is beautiful. And because it was small, I felt we could go anywhere, and that we DID go anywhere that supported our questions and conversations. I saw a cat on a house boat, and Beer changed course so I could get a picture, lol. I'd go again on another visit, and feel that I'd see something completely new the next time. My recommendation is to go early in your trip, because then when you are walking the city later, it sparks connections to how you saw the city from the water. They also give you a curated list of places to try across the city - the awesome local places you may not stumble upon with a Google Maps search. If you love living like a local, this is the answer - stop scrolling, this is the canal tour you want!
Unique private canal experience
YooJin A,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Truly unique way to experience the canals in a private and boutique experience, friendly guide and you really get to see some Off the Beaten path routes away from the crowd. So much more relaxing, no need to make small talk or share the Boat with strangers. Highly recommend
Beer led us on a...
James P,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Beer led us on a marvellous tour of amsterdamns less busy districts. Very knowledgeable, very friendly, very quiet and serene experience. Highly highly recommended!
Intimate boat tour
frank E,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very intimate and informative. Beautiful and quaint small boat that is 100 yrs old. Very relaxing., would book again.
Great intimate tour boat experience!
Bennet S,Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful experience taking the Off The Beaten Path Hidden Gems Canal Cruise on the good ship (OK, boat) Diana. We got a great local’s perspective on life in Amsterdam and lots of information about the various neighborhoods as we cruised around. We saw both the famous canal girdle and the less famous canals and islands. Our little antique boat, populated by just our small party, got plenty of admiring looks from the folks on the more crowded more modern boats. We had a great time.
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