Smit Giethoorn

Smit Giethoorn is a family business in the southern part of the village, on the Zuiderpad, with a restaurant and terrace over the canal and one of the largest hire jetties in Giethoorn. It hires out fluisterboten (silent electric boats sailed without a licence), covered electric sloepen, canoes and rowing boats, and runs guided tours of the village by rondvaart boat. Bookings are made in their online shop, Giethoorntickets.

What it hires out

• Fluisterboot for 8 people, from €20 an hour.
• Luxury fluisterboot for 5, from €25 an hour.
• Electric sloepje for 6, from €30 an hour: more stable, better if you are going out onto the lakes.
• Luxury sloep for 8, from €35 an hour.
• Rondvaart, the guided tour of the canals in a large boat, from €12.50 per person.

There is no fixed hire time: you sail as long as you like within opening hours. The map they give you marks routes of 2 to 5 hours, along the Dorpsgracht and the southern lakes.

Hours and how to get there

Open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 20:00 and Friday to Sunday from 9:00 to 21:00. It has two free car parks, with space for coaches, and an electric car charging point. When arriving by car do not turn in by the Frensensteeg: the turning is ten metres to the side, marked with red flags. Without a car, bus 70 from Steenwijk stops in the village and there is a walk to the Zuiderpad.

Which boat to choose

The fluisterboot is open and is enough for the Dorpsgracht and a first lake. If there are few of you and you want more comfort, the luxury one for five. If you are going to cross the Bovenwijde in wind or rain threatens, the electric sloep is more stable and has a roof. Go out early or late: at midday, in season, the canal fills with boats. On your return, the Smit restaurant has a terrace over the water, and from the same jetty the guided tour boats leave if you prefer someone else to drive. It also organises private rondvaarten for groups, on prior request.