Join Our
Festival of Lights
Amsterdam
Canal Cruise

A Magical Journey Through Amsterdam’s Lights with Captain Dave The Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise with Captain Dave was truly a magical experience. Our captain navigated the boat, which, despite its nearly 100 years, is still in impeccable condition, with remarkable skill. The intimate atmosphere of the small tour, with only five passengers aboard, made the experience even more special. Captain Dave, an incredibly knowledgeable and charming woman, shared her extensive insights about the city and the stunning light art, entertaining us wonderfully. Included in the price were delicious snacks and an excellent selection of beverages, which made the journey even more enjoyable. This tour is a fantastic opportunity to explore the city from the water. We wholeheartedly recommend Captain Dave!

Fab light fest private tour Captain dave light fest tour was fab. We had gone last year with them too and this year even better- the commentary/skipper on board karim but also captain dave mgmt/hospitality/troubleshooting. Comfortable warm boat in freezing weather. A must to go again and spread the positive word.

Beautiful! Beautiful little cruise on the canals, warm in the beautiful boat. Karim the captain is great, he fascinates us with his anecdotes about his heart town. The lights are magic! We highly recommend to discover the city in one evening.

De kapitein was geweldig, de lichtfestival kanaalcruise was geweldig. Zeker aan te raden!

Magische rondleiding door de prachtige grachten en lichtfestival in een boot die plaats biedt aan een kleine groep (zoveel beter dan de grote boten).Geweldige ervaring voor kerstavond en Roman was een geweldige kapitein voor de nacht!

We hebben echt genoten van deze tour!Zeer vriendelijke, grappige en deskundige kapitein Tony. We hebben veel geleerd over de lichtfestivalobjecten en de geschiedenis van Amsterdam. We zouden deze ervaring absoluut aanraden!

Deed deze tour's nachts, dus het zien van lichten in het water maakte de grachten nog magischer aanvoelen. Bovendien vond het Amsterdam Light Festival plaats, dus we werden ook getrakteerd op coole kunstinstallaties tijdens de tour.Er waren 11 passagiers op de boot, maar het voelde nooit krap. Ik voelde me op mijn gemak tijdens de rondvaart. Ik heb genoten van de mogelijkheid om naar buiten te gaan om foto's te maken vanaf de achterkant van de boot. Wees niet verlegen om meer van een bepaald drankje of snack te vragen als ze opraken - onze kapitein (ik geloof dat zijn naam Roman was) was heel meegaand. Daarover gesproken... de kapitein - nu bekend - heeft een goede hoeveelheid geschiedenis en kennis over ons.Beveel een rondvaartervaring ten zeerste aan bij een bezoek aan Amsterdam. Er lijken een aantal cruise-exploitantenopties te zijn - tijdens onze cruise passeerden we verschillende maten boten. Ik grapte dat mensen in de grotere boten er verdrietig uitzagen, want er waren er zoveel en hun ramen gingen niet open.

We hebben een geweldige tijd gehad tijdens een rondleiding door de grachten en het Amsterdam Light Festival - Roman was een grappige en informatieve kapitein voor onze kleine groepsreis. Deze optie bood ons een meer persoonlijke en ontspannen ervaring die perfect was voor ons gezin. We hebben er zo van genoten, dat we weer gingen toen er een vriend naar de stad kwam voor Kerstmis! De boot is comfortabel, historisch en geeft je een meer lokale ervaring.

Captain Dave and this Canal Cruise was a highlight of our time in Amsterdam. Our cruise had a few other couples and the boat had plenty of space and was very comfortable. It was cold the evening of our cruise so he put the windows up and the heat on as well. Even through the glass windows, we had no issue seeing landmarks throughout the tour.He was very knowledgeable of the area so we learned lots from the excursion. So fun how the boat itself has so much history as well! We would highly recommend this cruise to anyone visiting Amsterdam.

Captain Dave and this Canal Cruise was a highlight of our time in Amsterdam. Our cruise had a few other couples and the boat had plenty of space and was very comfortable. It was cold the evening of our cruise so he put the windows up and the heat on as well. Even through the glass windows, we had no issue seeing landmarks throughout the tour.He was very knowledgeable of the area so we learned lots from the excursion. So fun how the boat itself has so much history as well! We would highly recommend this cruise to anyone visiting Amsterdam.

Highlight of a whole week in Amsterdam! Never a dull moment with Captain Dave!

Best boat cruise ever! Dave is super entertaining, hilarious and informative. The boat itself is very cosy, comfortable and has an amazing history. Snacks and drinks are included. The small boat size makes it feel more like a private tour than your typical tourist boats. We went on the sunset cruise which was great to see all the night lights. 10/10 highly recommend. Thanks Dave!

Captain was absolutely the best! Book the early morning tour if you like to see Amsterdam before the city wakes up! Captain Dave was VERY knowledgeable about the city, & it’s history. Boat was beautiful and well maintained. We would definitely book again and would probably do a night tour just to see the lights.

I had one day in Amsterdam and wanted to do a canal cruise before flying home. I picked the best cruise!I had an incredible time aboard Captain Dave’s boat, the Jonckvrouw. He started off telling us about the history of the boat that includes Dutch Royal ties. He provided a wide array of drinks and snacks. Captain Dave is a great raconteur! We were all joking and laughing the entire trip that he forgot to play music! We sailed all around the various canals and saw so much more than a regular canal cruise.I’ll be back in Amsterdam in 2023 and have told Dave that we will be doing his canal cruise again!

So much fun! This was the perfect start to our day!

This experience was magical. I expected a nice boat ride on the canals of Amsterdam, but I didn’t expect a full tour of the city. Captain Dave told us about the different parts of the city: what types of buildings were used for which purposes, why they were constructed in a particular way, and even about a section of the city that was planned and pre-sold to fund the digging of the canals there. Plus there were treats, and Captain Dave was very kind to both of my kids, letting them drive the boat on the slower, straighter canals. The boat itself is very beautiful, with polished wood throughout and a special history of its own. You will not regret this experience!

I cannot thank Captain Dave enough for making our Bachelorette Party Experience nothing but exceptional and memorable. Dave went above and beyond to fulfill all our requests. The setup up is very nice, there are 2 refrigerators filled with a variety of drinks. The snacks were tasty and adequate for the time we toured around. The boat can hold up to 12 guests which is perfect for the size of the boat.There were plenty of opportunities to take incredible pictures. I would totally recommend this tour and look forward to do it again on my next visit to Amsterdam!

A must-do experience for your stay in Amsterdam! Captain Dave is so friendly and welcoming, he’ll make you feel right at home on his beautiful boat. I particularly enjoyed how this boat tour was a smaller group than most of the others you see on the canal, so the entire experience feels more personal and intimate!

We had a wonderful time on the early morning canal cruise. The views were spectacular and the experience was so peaceful and serene. Captain Dave had unique stories about each canal and the houses on it as well as his own stories from living in Amsterdam for several decades. The light refreshments and coffee were a great addition to the experience. We would highly recommend this tour.

Absolutely amazing tour. Its small size made the experience so personal and unique. We're so glad we chose this instead of one of the huge generic tours! Captain Dave was a delight, and we could really tell that he loves sharing this city with his guests. No better way to experience the canals of Amsterdam!

We had a great time, we toured the canals like a local. Never felt rushed, learned some quirky history, and toured some very quaint parts of Amsterdam,Viewing the city from the water gives you a very different sense of what the city has to offer. So much culture, and history. Great way to start your trip in Amsterdam!

This has to be one of the best canal tours in Amsterdam, especially if you take the early time, as you get to be out on the water before most of the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a great way to start (or end) your trip to Amsterdam.

Captain Dave has a lot of energy and love for the city. He had amazing stories. I would have loved to hear more of them. The boat was cozy and beautiful. He had pillows and blankets to help us relax. The snacks and drinks were a tasty addition. The best part of the trip for my kids is that he allowed them to steer the boat. He was amazingly patient and kind with them.

If you want an authentic Amsterdam local tour with real stories told by an amazing host, Captain Dave is your guy. He is very down to earth and provides everything you could want for a relaxing yet insightful cruise. Seats were crazy comfortable and drinks were endless. Thank you again Captain Dave!

Captain Dave came highly recommended by a friend and it was a trip highlight. The boat is beautiful and has a great history. It's a perfect size as we were in a group of 12 and got to meet some really fun people from other places. Captain Dave is like having a friend invite you over. We had wine and food and he was a super friendly and funny host.It's perfect for any ages. I took my kids & my Dad & he said he couldn't have wished for better and it made his trip!

The Morning Cruise with Captain Cruise was absolutely spectacular! We had an early flight from NYC to Amsterdam on a Sunday morning and were trying to kill time before we checked into our Airbnb and were happy to have found this experience. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! Captain Dave was knowledgeable, personable, warm and funny! Being on the canals that early in the morning is a truly remarkable experience. The silence is beautiful. This was a truly memorable experience and something you should not miss! It was a delightful start to our vacation.

Captain Dave's tour was amazing! From the start we were greeted with a friendly face who was ready to show us Amsterdam's canals on a less crowded and more informational way. Captain Dave joked around with us, asked questions, and encouraged photos. He even made sure to buy extra sugar bread which he told us to open when we finished the first loaf. A great time all around!

Taking a ride with Captain Dave on the canals was the highlight of our time in Amsterdam. Captain Dave is friendly, inviting, entertaining and so full of knowledge about the history and culture of his beautiful hometown. We enjoyed Captain Dave’s wonderful hospitality, and the Jonckvrou is a beautiful boat with a fascinating history. I highly recommend Captain Dave and will certainly share his info with friends who plan to visit Amsterdam! Thanks so much for a magical time!

We had the best time on the boat trip. The boat is absolutely beautiful, and Captain Dave made the trip so enjoyable. I organised the trip for my boyfriend's birthday, and Captain Dave made us laugh and feel right at home. The only bad part of the trip was the fact it had to end, we could have stayed there all day! Would highly recommend, we will definitely be back again.

Wonderful ride with Captain Dave! The best way to start a morning and the best way to see Amsterdam!

Captain Dave is an excellent host with a great sense of humor. He provided a lot of great history and personal stories about growing up in Amsterdam. Light snacks and drinks provided - highly recommend!

Out of all of my travel experiences, this will continue to be a highlight! Captain Dave and his historic boat are fantastic. If you have the chance to do this, you must!!

This was a wonderful and magical way to start the morning in Amsterdam! We had great weather and saw the beautiful sunrise shining through Amsterdam from the canals. You can feel so at peace with this early morning tour! There were no other boats besides Captain Dave’s 🙂

Very fun time, high ranking on my list of Amsterdam highlights. Dave is a great guy who is sure to get some laughs out of you and keep you entertained. His personality is a lot of fun and keeps you awake during this early morning excursion. If you are looking for a unique canal experience in Amsterdam, don’t think twice. He also offers great suggestions on places to visit afterwards.

This was the highlight of our visit! We had the canals all to ourselves and captain Dave was a great tour guide.

This is THE way to enjoy the magic of quiet canals and travel like royalty did. The boat is splendid, but the best part is the captain who will share his passion for his hometown. Skip those glass topped boats. This will be the highlight of your visit to Amsterdam.

Captain Dave and his beautiful boat delighted our family from 2 years to 74 years old. We had wanted a cozy family adventure and were were so much more comfortable than we expected and enjoyed the versatility of this exquisitely restored boat. Captain Dave charmed all of us with his warmth and care and joyful spirit. We will definitely tour with him again.

The best thing we did in Amsterdam! Captain Dave's tour was great, I loved hearing about the history of the city while looking out from the boat and munching on some delicious food. Departing location was easy to find, being by a landmark.

Loved this tour! Dave was great!!! The cruise was a highlight

Oh Captain, my Captain (Dave)! Eccentric doesn’t do justice for Captain Dave! At first I thought “wow this guy talks a lot”, but then I realized that his funny disposition was quite pleasant and put me at ease! I even started joking with him and I felt that I just needed to relax more. Plenty of free drinks and pastries for all on the trip and really a stunning time to see the canals of Amsterdam!Go with Captain Dave and you’ll have stories to tell for years to come!!

A great start to the day! There really wasn’t anyone in the canal. Captain Dave is awesome, a genuine good person. The museum tours are less daunting when you check some of your goals off the vacation list.

My favorite part of my Amsterdam trip. The tour was very informational, relaxed, and lots of fun! The food/drinks were all great and Captain Dave made sure we were all comfortable.

WOW. This experience was hands down the highlight of my trip to Amsterdam. Captain Dave was so fun, interactive and knowledgeable about Amsterdam. The best part is that Captain Dave really takes time to get to know you and the other passengers. You end the trip with everyone being friends. I cannot recommend this experience enough! Also, if you are nice your 90 minute tour might turn into 3 hours of unforgettable fun! 🙂

This experience was incredible! Must do and only canal tour that I would go on! Captain Dave was funny and thoughtful. He was always engaged with us and the spread of food and drinks was perfect! It was the best way to start our morning. Definitely do this! You won’t regret it!

This tour was so awesome! From the very start, Captain Dave made us feel really welcome, and took the time to find out where everyone was from and made us all feel included. Snacks and drinks (tea, coffee & alcoholic too) were provided throughout. Captain Dave had a great knowledge and history of Amsterdam, and included lots of personal stories which he told with passion and enthusiasm. He had an amazing energy, very funny and gave lots of tips for places to eat and things to do as well! Highly recommend - there's a reason why this is so highly rated!

Great tour and fun company - a wonderful way to start the day in Amsterdam

Don’t leave Amsterdam without going here! This canal tour made the day so special and I am amazed at Dave for going the extra mile of thoughtfulness. Knowledgeable and funny, this was one of our best parts of our two week trip!

Very glad we started our trip this way! Heated cushions were a great bonus on this cold day. Hans was a wonderful captain.

Our tour took place during a clear morning and we were delighted to have participated! Captain Hans was a really wonderful, knowledgable host. We used his breadth of Dutch knowledge to answer all sorts of questions about the history of the Netherlands. He was tasteful in his approach to speaking about the history of Amsterdam, boat houses and canals. It was great to learn from someone who was so enlightened, dynamic and passionate. We'd recommend this tour and Captain Hans to anyone.

The hotel we stayed in offered a free tour of the canals with Captain Dave Amsterdam. Since it was a free tour we did not have high expectations. The tour was great. Dave is a very good guide. He gives you information and history of the neighborhoods and the canals and is also very funny. The tour was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Amsterdam. We are planning to go back to Amsterdam and we will definitely pay for a tour with him next time.

What a great tour and definitely the highlight of my weekend in Amsterdam. It was early so there were no other boats on the canals. I really felt that after this tour I had visited Amsterdam and knew the history. As a bonus there were heated seat cushions, blankets and delicious sandwiches. Captain Dave is amazing and tells the best stories and secrets of the city. Do this tour !!

Captain Dave’s canal tour was the highlight of my weekend in Amsterdam. With not much time to see all of the sites, I really felt like after this tour I had visited Amsterdam and knew it’s history. There were lovely heated seat cushions, blankets, pastries, and wine. It was a special experience that you wouldn’t get on those generic boat tours. Captain Dave is awesome and tells the best stories and secrets of the city. Do this tour!!

Amsterdam long weekend getaway Great value for money, free mulled wine. Very knowledgeable guide. Great way to see the Canal out and lights.

Amsterdam long weekend getaway Great value for money, free mulled wine. Very knowledgeable guide. Great way to see the Canal out an

Amsterdam long weekend getaway Great value for money, free mulled wine. Very knowledgeable guide. Great way to see the Canal out and lights.

Captain Dave is fun and full of information about Amsterdam. Captain Dave was very knowledgeable about Amsterdam. Very personable, made this cruise memorable. The festival of lights is nice to see it from the water. I would do this cruise again with Dave if I am back in Amsterdam during the holiday season since the art in the festival of lights changes from year to year.Most of all.... Had a gr

Captain Dave is fun and full of information about Amsterdam. Captain Dave was very knowledgeable about Amsterdam. Very personable, made this cruise memorable. The festival of lights is nice to see it from the water. I would do this cruise again with Dave if I am back in Amsterdam during the holiday season since the art in the festival of lights changes from year to year.Most of all.... Had a great time!

Captain Dave is fun and full of information about Amsterdam. Captain Dave was very knowledgeable about Amsterdam. Very personable, made this cruise memorable. The festival of lights is nice to see it from the water. I would do this cruise again with Dave if I am back in Amsterdam during the holiday season since the art in the festival of lights changes from year to year.Most of all.... Had a great time!

It was a beautiful evening with a very special atmosphere on board. Captain Stephan who took over for Dave that night had a lot of knowledge about Amsterdam and the Festival of lights and shared some personal insights. I would def recommend it to everyone who wants to have a special Amsterdam experience !

When I first saw this listed I was excited to see that the Holiday Festival of Lights continued through January 19, my second day in Amsterdam. It seemed like a great way to experience a canal tour and also see this annual light installation. I was not disappointed. Captain Hans was our guide on this night and he was wonderful. Friendly, welcoming and funny! He had thorough knowledge about each light display as well as great historical insight to Amsterdam in general. The boat was well appointed with heated seating pads, blankets and warm beverages. This particular experience is seasonal but I would recommend Captain Dave and team (Hans!) for any experiences they offer.