Sneek Week

From Joure we cruised towards Sneek as we were told that Sneek Week which is a big sailing event would start on August 1 in Sneek and on the Sneekemeer. This part of Friesland is a paradise for sailing. You can see the many lakes in the map below.

The Sneekermeer is a large lake and a favourite with many types of boats.

There are many free moorings on the lake sides or on small islands like this one.

Soon it was time to cross the lake and into Sneek. It was raining hard and we hoped the rain was not settling in.

We stayed in the Aquanaut Marina which is close to town as we had been told the canals would be cleared of boats for the night parade. The club had a little bar where folks could meet in the afternoon. Terry and Carol from England keep their boat here all year.

We had a few days in Sneek and had a great time wandering around the town which was in festival mode with lots of different shows going on during the day.

Kevin tried out for size one of the toilets dotted around town ready for the night revellers. A couple of nights later he was glad he knew of the location of this one.

This was a couple of Aussie’s with an act based loosely on Surf Lifesavers. They had amazing strength and good jokes.


We met this family outside the tourist bureau leaving on their cycling holiday. Two bikes with trailers, children and all the camping gear. I am glad we have a boat!!



Sneek has small canals passing through the main centre and a larger ring canal outside. The Waterport Gate where tolls were collected from the 1400’s is the symbol of Sneek.

Boats of all sorts were pouring into the part of the canal opened to boats at the end of town. Many were moored side by side to fit in, especially where the yachts come back from the lake each night.


The night before the start of the sailing had everyone in party mode with a parade on the canal through Sneek followed by fireworks. We put our chairs up on the side of the canal around 7pm and had a great time listening to the bands which walked around entertaining the crowd. Locals set up their parties and a good time was had by all without the need of even one policeman to control the crowd.

Once it was dark the boat parade started. Bands played on boats going past in between the competing yachts.



The waterport gate looked great at night.

After the parade we walked into the centre to see all the fun.


Kevin went to check out the toilet but I wont show a picture of that as it may embarrass the others using it.

Then it was time to Party. And how they Party!!!!!

Late the next day we cruised through this cute liftup bridge,

past the yachts

and out to the lake. We moored and enjoyed a day of rest watching the passing parade.






The wind and rain came back and we settled in for a windy night. We left in the morning when the wind dropped and we were able to get off of the pontoon.

Our next stop was Dokkum calling in on the way to Kuikhorne to check on details as this was where we were leaving the boat for the winter.