Publication date: 28/08/2025
For sailors and motorboaters alike, Jachthaven Strijensas is the gateway to a wide range of varied and rewarding cruising itineraries. In this article, the Port Adhoc Group suggests a few possible routes for you to explore.
Jachthaven Strijensas, a calm yet strategic marina
Every year, Jachthaven Strijensas attracts many boat owners. It is a peaceful and safe haven where they can moor for a few days, several months, or the whole year. Boaters appreciate the marina’s authentic atmosphere just as much as its practicality and convenience. Their boats are always well protected too!
All around the marina, users of the harbour facilities benefit from a fantastic cruising playground: away from the heavy traffic of the main Dutch commercial routes, the surrounding waters offer wonderful cruising opportunities in a protected environment, perfectly suited to a variety of boating activities. Several destinations and stopover points are easily accessible, whether for a single outing or a longer cruise.
When it comes to services, Jachthaven Strijensas is a high-quality port. The Port Adhoc marina offers everything you need to prepare your cruises, such as:
- Spacious berths – accessible via modern and secure pontoons
- Water and electricity terminals
- Sanitary facilities
- A specialist nautical and watersports shop
- Lifting and handling services for hauling out boats
- Dry storage areas
- Waste collection point
- Wi-Fi network
- …
In this small-scale Dutch marina, every owner benefits from a personalised welcome, thanks to the constant availability of our harbour team.
A prime location for cruising
Beyond the services available on-site, one of the main advantages of Jachthaven Strijensas is its location:
With several locks and opening bridges nearby, cruising from this Dutch port is smooth and adaptable to all levels of experience. Within just a few hours under way from Strijensas, you can reach highlights such as Willemstad, the Biesbosch nature reserve, or the beautiful islands of the Haringvliet.
Enthusiastic sailors can easily plan a one-day outing, a three-day adventure, a week-long voyage, or even a multi-week cruise starting from Strijensas.
A one-day cruise from Strijensas
If you only have limited time or simply want to enjoy a quick escape by boat, we have some suggestions for you. There are several one-day cruising options from Jachthaven Strijensas – on the Hollands Diep and beyond.
Strijensas to Willemstad in one day
Leaving the marina, you’ll head straight onto the Hollands Diep: a vast inland waterway offering easy, tide-free cruising with many anchoring and stopover possibilities.
A classic option is to head west across to the town of Willemstad, just 6.5 nautical miles from your starting point. The route is straightforward, well-marked, and offers lovely views of the Dutch riverbanks. Once in Willemstad, you can moor in the marina right by the old city walls, and enjoy lunch on a terrace, a stroll through the narrow streets, or a historical visit.
A one-day cruise from Strijensas to Hellevoetsluis
If you would like a slightly longer sail while still keeping it to one day, you can head to Hellevoetsluis. Marina Cape Helius, also a member of the Port Adhoc network, will welcome you on the Haringvliet, 21 nautical miles from Strijensas.
Note: For this route, you will need to anticipate the passage under the Haringvlietbrug (Haringvliet Bridge), which has a clearance of 11.98 metres. The bridge opens several times a day to allow taller vessels to pass.
Fancy visiting another Port Adhoc marina?
From Strijensas, you can also pass through the Volkerak and Krammer locks to reach Jachthaven Bruinisse – located in the town of the same name, 22 nautical miles away.
A 3-day cruise from Jachthaven Strijensas
For a long weekend or a short getaway, you can plan a 3-day cruise from Strijensas, combining time under sail or power with cultural and natural discoveries in the region.
Here is an example of a 3-day sailing trip from Strijensas that you could take:
Day 1: Strijensas to Dordrecht
Once your boat is ready, with water and fuel topped up and safety checks done, you’ll set off from Strijensas towards Dordrecht. This first leg is a short cruise of just under 9 nautical miles via the Dordtsche Kil canal and the Oude Maas.
Passing the Spoorbrug Dordrecht railway bridge may require a short wait, but Dordrecht is a stopover well worth it, popular among Dutch boaters for its historic architecture, lively old harbour, and good restaurants.
Day 2: Explore the Biesbosch, overnight at Drimmelen
From Dordrecht, head to the Biesbosch National Park, about 10 nautical miles away. The Biesbosch is a well-known protected natural area in this sailing region. It is accessible to boats with shallow draughts.
In the park, you can sail through the wild waterways of North Brabant, surrounded by bird colonies and a truly exotic environment.
On this second night of your cruise from Strijensas, you will stop at Drimmelen or, if you wish to be closer to your destination the next day, at Lage Zwaluwe.
Day 3: Return to Jachthaven Strijensas
The final stage of this three-day cruise is the return to Strijensas, at your own pace.
A one-week cruising idea from Strijensas
Do you have more time available, and want to truly take the opportunity to discover the surroundings of Strijensas under sail? With a one-week cruise departing from Jachthaven Strijensas, you will be able to fully immerse yourself in the diversity of Dutch inland waters.
Here is an example of a 7-day route from Strijensas, allowing you to visit natural areas as well as enjoy some urban stopovers.
Days 1 and 2: sailing from Strijensas to Dordrecht, then Rotterdam
The first day is similar to the one described in the 3-day itinerary from Strijensas above: at the end of your first sailing day, you can explore the old town of Dordrecht and spend the night in the historic harbour.
On the second day, we suggest you head for Rotterdam, some 12 nautical miles from Dordrecht: in South Holland, Rotterdam is the second largest Dutch city in terms of population. If cultural and architectural discoveries interest you, this is an essential stopover in the region.
Days 3 to 5: cruising from Rotterdam to Hellevoetsluis
For the continuation of this one-week discovery cruise, we suggest sailing nearly 30 nautical miles to reach the Haringvliet. Over three days, you will sail on the Nieuwe Maas, the Scheur and the Oude Maas; and may stop in Dutch towns such as Zuid, Hoogvliet, Rhoon, Oud-Beijerland or Zuidland.
Day 6: on the Haringvliet, from Marina Cape Helius to Den Bommel
During your week-long cruise, plan at least one sailing day to enjoy the Haringvliet and its marvels. From Hellevoetsluis and Marina Cape Helius, why not stop, for instance, at Stellendam, Middelharnis, Rockanje, or the beautiful island of Tiengemeten?
At the end of the day, you can sail on to Den Bommel harbour, located just before the Haringvliet movable bridge: this is an ideal option to be on time for your bridge passage by boat the following day.
Day 7: discovering the Hollands Diep and returning to Jachthaven Strijensas
For this final day of cruising from Jachthaven Strijensas, there is no obligation to return directly to the harbour:
Once past the Haringvliet bridge, on the Hollands Diep, you may still stop at Numansdorp, Willemstad, which we presented earlier, or Noordschans. A perfect way to make the most of your last day!
To extend the adventure: a cruise of several weeks
For those wishing to sail from Jachthaven Strijensas for a longer period, it is also possible to consider a cruise lasting several weeks. This may be an opportunity, for example, to explore South-west Netherlands by boat, or even to venture beyond!
By taking your time, you could complete a loop itinerary via Zeeland’s inland waters, the Veerse Meer, or even the Eastern Scheldt. Depending on the characteristics of your boat and the weather conditions, you may also access a semi-coastal sailing area.
Sailing from Jachthaven Strijensas: practical tips
The routes suggested in this article are indicative: it is your responsibility to check their feasibility, taking into account your abilities, the accessibility of different facilities, and the characteristics and constraints of your boat.
To make the most of your cruise from Strijensas, we recommend anticipating the schedules of locks and movable bridges. If needed, information on Dutch waterways is available in real time on the website Vaarweginformatie.nl.
Depending on your intended sailing zones, also regularly check both paper and electronic charts, confirm the possibility of anchoring in the desired locations, and plan your marina and harbour stopovers in advance. In high season, ports can be very busy and it may be necessary to book your visitor berth before arriving!
