Small Group Boat Tours

Discover Amsterdam from the water on a shared small group canal cruise!

Enjoy an Amsterdam Small Group Canal Cruise


What better way to discover and experience Amsterdam than from the water? Exactly, there simply is no better way! At Pure Boats, you are welcome all day long to experience Amsterdam in a unique way. Our skilled captain will take you through the best Amsterdam has to offer.

Please note: our captain speaks English during our small group tours.
Step aboard one of our four unique canal cruise boats and cruise the canals of idyllic Amsterdam with a small group. Depending on the weather conditions, the group size and the route, we choose the perfect boat for the cruise. Thanks to our shared canal cruises, we keep the price per person low. This way, our canal cruises are available for everyone and every budget.

During our shared cruises we take a maximum of 24 guests, of which 6 may come from the same group. Do you want to cruise with more than 6 people of your own choice? Then we invite you to book a private boat tour.

Don’t worry: our shared canal cruises are anything but drinking parties – we prioritize quality, relaxation, and a pleasant atmosphere for everyone.

What Shared Canal Cruises are Available?


Cruising with us is available from no more than 39 euros (excluding a small booking fee). We’ve prepared multiple shared canal cruises for you, suitable for different budgets throughout the day.

A shared morning cruise is perfect for those who love spending their mornings in peace and would like to see Amsterdam slowly awaken. If you pick the shared Afternoon Cruise, you will experience the liveliness and vibrancy of Amsterdam life, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a sun ray or two. Do you prefer the romantic, mystic glow of the evening? Join us for the shared Evening Cruise and experience Amsterdam by night!

Each of our canal cruises comes with one or more fancy extra’s, like a tasteful drink, a crunchy snack platter, freshly baked apple pie or open bar. You can find the extras on the corresponding cruise page.

Unique Amsterdam Canal Cruise in a Small Boat


We cruise on four unique and upcycled boats: Classic Boat Schollevaar, Small Open Boat Geertje, Luxury Boat Lucy, and The Flagship Pure Spirit. Each boat has its own charm and offers space for a relatively small group of 6 to 24 people. We usually cruise with Pure Spirit and Stan Huygens, but sometimes we choose another boat. Reasons for this could be the weather or a change in guest numbers. Do you want to pick your own boat to cruise with? Then take a look at our private boat tours.

Please note that at Pure Boats, we don’t do crowded canal cruises. We consciously choose to offer a shared canal cruise in a small boat with a small group only. This way, you’ll feel like you’re cruising on your own boat, and there’s plenty of space on board. Are you looking for a larger tour boat with larger groups of people and the option to drink a lot? Then we recommend you take a look at other tour providers.

Why Choose a Shared Canal Cruise with a Small Group?


A shared cruise is in no way less special or fun than a private cruise. Since we offer various shared cruises for several groups at the same time, we can keep the price per person relatively low. This makes a boat tour possible for everyone!

What’s more, we have cruises available for you at almost any time of the day, so you can sail during your favorite part of the day. Another cool thing is that you’ll meet like-minded guests or travellers on board who, just like you, want to relax and enjoy the Amsterdam canals. Of course you don’t have to worry about the route, because our skipper will take you along the nicest spots in Amsterdam.

So, which shared canal cruise is it going to be? Whichever one you choose, we can’t wait to meet you and welcome you on board!

Frequently asked questions

On our shared cruises we don't allow pets, because although we love animals we can't be sure the other guests love them as much.

We are of course used to a little rain here in Amsterdam! Both the Geertje and Pure Spirit have a pop-up canopy that can provide you with a cover, and the Schollevaar has a very comfortable indoor saloon seating area in case of heavier rain. Lucy provides a fully enclosed, heated saloon, as does our newest fleet, the Stan Huygens . We also have umbrellas on-board to provide some shelter from a shower so we can assure you that you'll have a great time whatever the weather! In the unlikely events of extreme weather conditions that will make it unsafe to cruise, we will look into rescheduling your trip. 

Our boats Pure Spirit, Lucy, Schollevaar, Stan Huygens have toilets on board. Our boat Geertje does not. Luckily we have an office located at Keizersgracht 92H (close to the dock) where we have bathrooms! 

The pick up and drop off point for majority of our cruises is situated at the dock on Keizersgracht 106, alongside the water. We kindly request that you arrive at the dock 5 minutes prior to the start of your cruise to facilitate smooth experience. If you are cruising on boat Stan Huygens, the standard pick up and drop off is located at Herengracht 128.

Please arrive at the dock five minutes before your scheduled departure, where your captain will be waiting for you patiently! If you have booked a small group tour we do urge you to be on time, unfortunately we cannot wait for late arrivals.

Every shared cruise we offer comes with an English-speaking captain, ensuring that the entire cruise will be conducted in English.

Yes, ALL of our cruises feature live commentary, where our knowledgeable captains or hosts share stories and history about Amsterdam while you enjoy the views. They’ll make sure you get the most out of your experience.

Our Morning Canal Cruise Amsterdam and Highlights of Amsterdam cruises are perfect for families with kids! We provide special life vests for children to ensure their safety, so please request them in advance. Please note, these family-friendly cruises are suitable for all ages, while our 2-hour Ultimate Canal Cruise and Spectacular Evening Cruise are reserved for adults (18+).

We know choosing the right tour company can feel like a challenge, but we’re here to make it an easy decision! Step aboard our stunning boats, designed by superyacht architects, where “wow” moments are practically guaranteed. Sip on a handpicked selection of craft beers, fine wines, and refreshing non-alcoholic options from our open bar, and indulge in luxury catering throughout your cruise. Our dedicated team is excited to personalize every detail of your journey, ensuring an unforgettable experience from start to finish.