North of North Holland marinas

North of Alkmaar lies a quiet cruising area of canals and ring canals through the polders, with Kolhorn, De Rijp and the Amstelmeer as destinations.

The Noordhollandsch Kanaal runs from Amsterdam through Alkmaar to Den Helder, the Alkmaar-Kolhorn and Schagen-Kolhorn canals head east, and the Beemster ring canal passes De Rijp and Spijkerboor around the reclaimed land. It is flat, sheltered water with many bridges and little wave, where the wind has free play over the polder. The Amstelmeer by Westerland is the only lake of size; by Den Oever and Den Helder the Wadden Sea is a day's trip away, and so is the IJsselmeer.

Kolhorn was once a Zuiderzee harbour and now lies in the middle of the land; De Rijp and Spijkerboor are villages of the Beemster and Schermer, Alkmaar and Schagen the towns with a harbour on the canal, Middenmeer the harbour of the Wieringermeer. This is the area for motorboats and sloops looking for quiet, for a round through the polders from Alkmaar, and as inland water to fall back on when it blows too hard on the Wadden or the IJsselmeer.

All 9 marinas in the North of North Holland sailing area, grouped by water, with facilities, number of berths and maximum boat sizes. Blue Flag: 2 · visitor berths: 2.