Groningen and Drenthe marinas

Groningen and Drenthe are sailed on canals and 'diepen', from the city of Groningen to the Lauwersmeer, the Dollard and the Drenthe waterways, with the Zuidlaardermeer and the Oldambtmeer as wider water.

The Reitdiep takes you from Groningen past Winsum to Zoutkamp and the Lauwersmeer, the Winsumerdiep and the Hoendiep are the quiet side branches, and the Van Starkenborgh and Eems canals form the standing-mast route from Friesland through Groningen to Delfzijl. Southward the Drenthe canals lead to Assen, Meppel and Coevorden, eastward the Ter Apel canal to the fortress of Bourtange and, by the Haren-Rütenbrock canal, to the Ems in Germany. It is quiet water with many bridges; the lakes are shallow and sheltered.

The city of Groningen has harbours on the edge of the centre, Kropswolde and Midlaren lie on the Zuidlaardermeer, Beerta and Blauwestad on the new Oldambtmeer, Zoutkamp and Lauwersoog on the Lauwersmeer. This is the area for a boating holiday away from the crowds, for the passage to the Wadden Sea by Lauwersoog or Delfzijl, and for German visitors entering the Dutch inland waters from the Ems.

All 33 marinas in the Groningen and Drenthe sailing area, grouped by water, with facilities, number of berths and maximum boat sizes. Blue Flag: 4 · visitor berths: 13.