The Ijsselmeer is a very popular destination for the larger excursion, but isn't it already a company trip if you go there with the company and set off on a sailing trip? That's in the eye of the beholder - in any case, the Ijsselmeer is the perfect base for outstanding experiences. Which is not surprising, as the bay in the northern part of the Netherlands has a lot to offer. From day trips to water activities, there is something for everyone. So are you ready for a company sailing trip on the Ijsselmeer?
You should not be confused by the name Ijsselmeer, because there is no sea here. It is a freshwater lake between Friesland and the north of the Netherlands.
In 1932, the original Zuiderzee bay was separated from the Wadden Sea by a dyke, which ultimately created the freshwater lake. It is now one of the most popular holiday destinations among water sports enthusiasts and covers an area of 1,100 square kilometres.
At the level of Lelystad and Enkhuizen, the Ijsselmeer is separated from the Markermeer by a dam. It is often assumed that the Markermeer is part of the Ijsselmeer, which turns out to be wrong. Company trips to the Ijsselmeer are very popular, after all, the bays of NRW, for example, can already be reached in under three hours.
Sailing across the Ijsselmeer
Until 1932, the Ijsselmeer was a huge lake known as the Zuiderzee. At that time, this salt water was subject to tides and currents. To counteract the many floods, a final dike was built between Den Oever and Harlingen in 1932. This ultimately created the largest freshwater sea in the Netherlands, the Ijsselmeer.
Since then, there have been no more tides, which in turn means free sailing for tjalks, clippers and schooners. The Ijsselmeer has excellent opportunities for variety. You can sail to the Markermeer, the Wadden Islands, the Frisian Lakes or take a trip to Amsterdam.
Anchoring on the Ijsselmeer
Are you more drawn to the great outdoors than to the city? Then set anchor in the middle of nowhere and explore nature far away from civilisation. It's a great way to escape the stresses of everyday life and explore the beautiful natural areas. The Ijsselmeer also offers many other interesting anchorages.
We have listed some of them below:
- Kornwerderzand
- Zuiderhaven
- Den Oever
- Werkhaven
- Osterdijk
- IJsseloog
- Kettelmeer
What are the weather conditions like?
The Ijsselmeer is directly related to the North Sea coast, which makes them very similar - so a company trip in spring to summer is perfect to not necessarily freeze on board. The winds are a little weaker thanks to the land cover, but in strong winds the Ijsselmeer can be dangerous. Due to the water depth of about 4 metres, a steep sea builds up in a short time.
The westerly and southwesterly winds are often the strongest and can be found in the region near Makkum. Another aspect that can become a danger is sometimes dense fog. The elongated Vrouwzand shallows, which are marked with buoys off the coasts of Lemmer and Stavoren, deserve special attention. With winds from the west or southwest. Which occur regularly on the way between Enkhuizen and Stavoren, there is an increased danger of getting into a lay whale position and eventually being driven in. In the area of a sea, weather changes can occur at very short notice, so you should keep a constant eye on the weather.
Every day a different city around the Ijsselmeer
If you want, you can experience a different town around the Ijsselmeer every day. The historic harbour towns such as Lemmer, Enkhuizen, Hindeoopen, Urk or Workum are not to be missed. To give you the opportunity to explore the surroundings on two wheels, there are various bicycle rental shops. Or would you prefer a nice walk through the countryside? Round off the day with fresh fish from one of the harbour towns.
Of course, children also get their money's worth on such a trip. The surroundings of the Ijsselmeer offer numerous playgrounds, sunny beaches and many museums. For example, Batavialand in Lelystad, the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen and many more.