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Money-saving tip for German boaters: why a mooring in the Netherlands is cheaper than in Germany

Money-saving tip for German boaters: why a mooring in the Netherlands is cheaper than in Germany

german boaters Netherlands
Owning a boat means pure freedom – but at the latest when searching for a suitable berth, many boat owners face disappointment: long waiting lists, limited spaces, and costs that rise every year.
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Date of publication: 08/10/2025

Especially in popular regions of Germany, prices have risen significantly in recent years. And if you are also looking for an indoor winter storage space or technical services directly on site – the costs often increase considerably.

No wonder more and more boaters from North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, or Hamburg are looking across the border and discovering a place in the Netherlands that is not only cheaper, but in many respects offers more value for their hard-earned money: Lelystad.

Have you also considered a mooring in the Netherlands? Then read on.

Looking for a mooring – but affordable, please?

Anyone searching for a berth in Germany often needs more than patience: strong nerves, a bit of luck – and not rarely, a generous wallet. Especially in popular regions such as the Baltic Sea, Lake Constance, or along the Elbe, demand is enormous while supply remains limited. Many marinas are fully booked, and waiting lists are long. And those who do manage to secure a spot quickly realise: affordable is something else entirely.

In addition to mooring fees, there are often extra costs that one did not expect: flat rates for electricity, parking fees, crane or slip fees, service surcharges – and in winter: external storage, which must also be organised separately. This can be not only time-consuming but also very expensive.

So it is hardly surprising that more and more boaters ask themselves:

“Isn’t there an easier – and more affordable – way?”

The good news: Yes, there is. And many Germans have already found the answer – in the Port Adhoc Marinas of Lelystad.

Why many German marinas reach their limits

It is no secret: demand for berths in Germany has risen significantly in recent years – not only because of new boat owners, but also because of ever-larger vessels and the increasing desire for better service. But many German marinas simply cannot keep up. Their infrastructure often dates back to a time when boats were smaller, expectations were lower, and summers much shorter.

What does this mean in concrete terms?

Many harbours are overcrowded, expansions are hardly possible for environmental or planning reasons. Those looking for technical support or comfort – such as modern pontoons, indoor winter storage, an on-site boatyard, or even just functional sanitary facilities – often have to pay extra. Or they simply will not find them at all.

Prices are rising, but the services hardly improve. Those who secure a berth tend to keep it for years. New applicants? They remain on waiting lists that have barely moved for years.

In short: many German marinas are bursting at the seams – both in terms of capacity and services. It is therefore time to broaden one’s horizons.

What a mooring in the Netherlands really costs

The idea that a berth in the Netherlands is automatically more expensive is persistent – but in many cases simply untrue. In fact, the opposite is often true: those who take a closer look at Dutch marina pricing structures will quickly see that value for money is much better than in many German harbours.

In Lelystad, for example, an annual berth for a boat of 9–10 metres in length starts at around €1,300 to €2,000, depending on the marina and location of the berth. Included are often water and electricity connections, security systems, sanitary facilities and – depending on the marina – even access to workshops or winter storage.

For comparison: in German marinas with similar facilities, boaters often pay €2,500 or more – plus waiting lists, less flexibility, and often much less space.

Another advantage: in the Netherlands, what is included in the price is communicated transparently. Hidden costs? Rare. Instead: clarity, planning security, and service worthy of the name.

In short: a berth in the Netherlands is not only cheaper – it is often better thought through and provides unbeatable value for money. Especially when harbours offer loyalty programmes, such as those across all Port Adhoc marinas.

Moorings in Lelystad: Three Port Adhoc marinas – three price and service models

Those looking for a berth in Lelystad have not just one option – but three. That means not only choice, but a genuine advantage: each of the Port Adhoc Marinas has its own character, different priorities – and a suitable pricing model to match. So you can find exactly the marina that fits your boat, your usage, and your budget.

But before we come to the three Port Adhoc Marinas, let me introduce you to the biggest money-saving tip for a berth in the Netherlands:

The Port Adhoc network loyalty programme for seasonal and annual berth holders

If you have an active annual or seasonal contract, you enjoy 28 free overnight stays per year in Port Adhoc Marinas that are not your home marina. Perfect for a summer holiday at a bargain price, for an exploration tour through the Netherlands, France and Sweden – or to test all the marinas in your first season before deciding on a home marina.

Your concrete benefits with the Port Adhoc Group Loyalty Programme:

For marinas with berths afloat:

  • 7 free overnight stays in Port Adhoc marinas in July and August
  • 21 free overnight stays from September to June
  • 25% off each additional night in a Port Adhoc marina

For marinas with dry stack berths:

  • 10% off handling
  • 10% off indoor and outdoor storage
  • Additional individual benefits depending on the marina (e.g. –10% on the “Sérénité Package” available only at Port Napoléon and Port Adhoc Soubise)

At Flevo Marina Lelystad, for example, there are also special offers for winter storage and various services. More on this shortly. Of course, you can also contact us directly with your questions and for detailed information.

Lelystad Haven – the family-friendly classic

Here the focus is on accessibility, leisure and a family atmosphere. Prices are particularly attractive for smaller boats and weekend users. Campers and holiday home guests also enjoy using the harbour as a maritime base.

Price range: from approx. €1,500–2,000 / year for 9–10m

Berth in the Netherlands: Lelystad Haven – the family marina
Berth in the Netherlands: Lelystad Haven – the family marina

Flevo Marina Lelystad – technically strong and year-round

Flevo Marina Lelystad scores with top equipment: indoor winter storage, cranes, yard services and a wide variety of boats. Ideal for long-term berth holders, owners of large vessels, or those who want to stay close to technical services.

Price range: from approx. €1,600–2,100 / year for 9–10m

(Indoor winter storage bookable separately, transparent pricing)

Moorings in the Netherlands: Flevo Marina Lelystad – The technical marina

There are also exclusive offers for seasonal or annual berth holders. Mooring holders receive a 50% discount on crane fees between June and September when hauling out their yacht for short maintenance.

The benefit is even greater if, as an annual berth holder, you decide to place your yacht in winter storage at Flevo Marina Lelystad. The mooring fee is then deducted from the winter storage invoice. For an 11-metre yacht, this means a discount of €463.00.

Deko Marina Lelystad – luxurious, comfortable and quiet

Those who value peace, a good location, and a well-kept environment are in the right place here. Ideal for couples, connoisseurs, or those who occasionally wish to “leave the boat in peace” for a weekend.

Price range: from approx. €1,700–2,200 / year for 9–10m

Moorings in the Netherlands: Deko Marina Lelystad – the luxury marina

All three marinas in Lelystad offer

✔️ A high technical standard

✔️ Clean sanitary facilities

✔️ German- or English-speaking service

✔️ Easy accessibility & clear, transparent pricing

The beauty is: in Lelystad’s Port Adhoc marinas, you often pay less for more.

A berth in Lelystad means more value for the same money: this argues in favour of moving

A berth is not just a number on the pontoon – it is the foundation for every boating season. And if you are going to pay, you want to pay for things that really make a difference. That is precisely what many German boaters appreciate about Lelystad and its three marinas: you get a fantastic berth in Lelystad, have the IJsselmeer on your doorstep, receive first-class service and often pay less than you would in Germany.

What does that mean in concrete terms?

You do not just park your boat; you benefit from a true all-round package:

✔️ Water and electricity at the berth, with no extra flat-rate charges

✔️ Winter storage on site, on request even indoor

✔️ Workshops & crane facilities that are not only available in October

✔️ Friendly contacts who take time and speak German or English

✔️ Plenty of space, even if your boat is a bit broader or longer

And then there’s the whole package around it: well-developed access routes, secure approaches, modern sanitary facilities – and cafés, restaurants or cycle routes right around the corner.

Switching to Lelystad is therefore not only a matter of price – it is a comfort decision.

Worked example — Mooring in the Netherlands: what you can really save by switching

Of course every boat size, season and marina is a little different – but a comparison is almost always worthwhile. Here is a hypothetical, yet realistic example for a 9-metre boat with standard requirements:

Cost Comparison Berths
Berth in Germany (e.g. Baltic Sea) Berth in Lelystad (e.g. Flevo Marina)
Annual berth approx. €2,300 approx. €1,800
Flat rate for electricity/water approx. €180 usually included or minor (<€100)
Craning (in/out of water) approx. €250 approx. €150–200
Winter storage (outdoor, unguarded): approx. €600 (indoor, guarded): approx. €500
Parking & other fees approx. €150 usually included or minor (<€80)
Total approx. €3,580 approx. €2,450–2,680

The result? Approximately €900 to €1,130 annual saving while enjoying greater comfort, better availability and more modern infrastructure.

And: in Lelystad many additional services are already included or are at least quoted transparently. That not only simplifies budget planning but also makes comparison easier – and removes the feeling of being charged extra for every little thing.

Aerial photograph of Flevo Marina Lelystad on the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands

Conclusion: A berth in the Netherlands is cheaper, better and more relaxed for many German boaters

What may look like a simple move abroad is in reality for many a clever step towards more boating time and less stress for less money.

Owning a boat is a dream. But the right berth decides whether that dream brings joy – or becomes a permanent hassle. This is where Lelystad comes in: well located, fairly priced and equipped with three marinas that provide the right home for almost every boat type and requirement.

If we compare the berth situation in Germany and the Netherlands, we can conclude: in Germany the market is overloaded in many places – in the Netherlands it is ready for more. Costs in Lelystad are often lower and services better – a jackpot for German sailors and boaters!

And while you may be stuck on a waiting list at some marinas, the boat in Lelystad is already in the water – or safely stored in winter.

Who knows, perhaps your new boat-home is only a few hours’ drive away?

Mini FAQ: Boat mooring in the Netherlands

Can I also book my mooring in Lelystad at short notice?

In many cases, yes – especially outside the peak season. For annual or winter berths, it is advisable to make an early enquiry, but spontaneous bookings are often possible as well.

Do I need to speak Dutch to get by on site?

No. In the marinas of Lelystad, many employees speak very good German or English. Communication is straightforward and friendly.

How does winter storage work in the marinas?

Simple and stress-free. You arrange an appointment for hauling out, the boat is craned and professionally stored indoors or outdoors. Many marinas also offer additional maintenance services, winter checks or even complete “winterisation packages.”

How can I find out which marina suits me best?

The best option: drop by on site – or browse online.

Here is a helpful article:

Discover now 3 Port Adhoc Marinas in the Netherlands in Lelystad:

We look forward to your enquiry and to finding the perfect mooring for you!

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