Captain Dave Amsterdam— The Official Canal Cruises image

Captain Dave Amsterdam— The Official Canal Cruises

Tourist attraction Tour agency Boat tour agency

👍👍 Such a great ride on this Canal Cruise! Capt Anna was our guide! She was super informative and kept the EARLY morning ride, fun and light for us to start the day. Lots of Canal history as well as real Amsterdam city information. So much history around Amsterdam and she was full of all the details. H... People often mention boat, Dave, Amsterdam, Captain, tour, cruise, recommend, time, great, history,


Address

Prinsengracht 397, 1016 HL Amsterdam, Netherlands

Website

captaindaveamsterdam.com

Contact

+31 20 320 2040

Rating on Google Maps

4.90 (294 reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Saturday: 7:45 AM to 8 PM
  • Sunday: 7:45 AM to 8 PM
  • Monday: 7:45 AM to 8 PM
  • Tuesday: 7:45 AM to 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 7:45 AM to 8 PM
  • Thursday: 7:45 AM to 8 PM
  • Friday: 7:45 AM to 8 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: boat (44) Dave (44) Amsterdam (37) Captain (35) tour (34) cruise (21) recommend (19) time (19) great (17) history (17)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Ray P. 6 months ago on Google • 48 reviews
    Such a great ride on this Canal Cruise! Capt Anna was our guide! She was super informative and kept the EARLY morning ride, fun and light for us to start the day. Lots of Canal history as well as real Amsterdam city information. So much history around Amsterdam and she was full of all the details. Happy she was our Capt for the morning. Even offered some great tips for places to go!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karen r. 8 months ago on Google • 100 reviews
    We went today on a canal cruise with Tony, our captain for today. It was a unique experience since Tony is very knowledgeable, friendly and with excellent social skills. That way everyone could relate to the history, culture and background of Amsterdam which he told us so fluently like a story teller. The boat is equipped with a small kitchen and one can drink and help himself with a piece of cake. We had lots of fun. Thanks ! Very much recommended.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nonie I. 6 months ago on Google • 10 reviews
    As a non-morning person, this was my favorite tour I had in Amsterdam. I’ve been telling friends about it! The canal was quiet, we got to experience and see Amsterdam to ourselves. Captain Dave was entertaining and informative, we couldn’t ask for a better tour guide. And of course, the sugar bread was super tasty! This is a must do when you are in Amsterdam.. I will even go and do this tour again if I’m back in Amsterdam!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Corine K. 2 years ago on Google
    Me and some friends had an amazing tour with Captain Dave, enjoying the drinks and snacks, completely adapted to our needs! Definitely recommend of you're looking for the real Amsterdam experience, in a more professional /luxurious but still very convivial setting. Big thanks Captain Dave! Hope to meet again.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nettie A. 8 months ago on Google
    Captain Dave works hard to make a great tour. The canals were very busy in the afternoon and he knew immediately where to take us to see Amsterdam in peace. Very funny, knowledgeable, and a beautiful boat with a bathroom and lots of drinks like coffee, wine, water and beer.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Loic G. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome Dave, amazing trip, beautiful boat ! Dave took great care of us with joy and humour. We had such a wonderful afternoon that we asked him to join us at the restaurant afterwards... And he did ! I recommand 100%
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JustineChris261 10 months ago on Google
    Wonderful intimate cruise. Our skipper Rowan was very knowledgeable, entertaining and helpful. My wife and I were with my elderly parents, and they were made to feel safe and comfortable. having an onboard toilet, snacks and drinks throughout was also great. Unlike many other boats this is only a max of 12 people and you get a great personalised tour feel. Well worth paying that little bit more for such a historic and beautiful boat. Would highly recommend!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eileen N. 2 years ago on Google
    I highly recommend spending a few hours with Dave on his beautiful boat if you’re in Amsterdam. This isn’t a cookie-cutter, read-from-a-script, we-do-the-same-route-multiple-times-a-day tour. It’s a personalized view of Amsterdam and it’s canals from a local who has great stories to tell and interesting places to point out. We had a fantastic time and felt very welcomed.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bertug O. 2 years ago on Google
    One phrase: Best boat trip of my life. Captain Dave (Ahoy Captain) is a great captain: Lots of experience as a captain as well as the knowledge of Amsterdam. We had a lot of fun and learned more about Amsterdam. I recommend highly!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 romain f. 2 years ago on Google
    thanks to captain dave !! magical moment in amsterdam :)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amira M. 3 years ago on Google
    Second time I attend this tour with friends and family and it’s so amazing. It’s really worth waking up a little early and be able to witness Amsterdam so quiet like you would never see it in a normal canal tour on peak hours where the city and the canal get so busy. Captain Dave is also very lovely and the history pieces of the tour are very informative (even for a Dutch person).
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Neng Stella Di P. 2 years ago on Google
    It was better than we expected, though we needed to wake up earlier than we ever did in Amsterdam haha. It was worth it. Captain Dave is the best story teller. The canals are all yours (there was only 1 canoe and 1 police boat passed by us at the end of the trip). The Royal Lady (the name of the boat) was so comfortable. It feels brand new boat with some history on it. Would really recommend to anyone that come to Amsterdam
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nanette Tinker C. 6 months ago on Google • 9 reviews
    We had the pleasure of joining the Captain Dave Amsterdam canal cruise today with Anne, our captain. A great cruise, 90 minutes in length and very detailed. Thanks for the awesome adventure!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paul M. 1 year ago on Google
    Dave was incredibly entertaining and knowledgeable. The boat was very comfortable even in the cold weather, and the size of the group (10 people on the boat) made for a wonderful experience. Highly recommend taking this tour early in the morning due to no canal traffic.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alec H. 1 year ago on Google
    Trust me when I say that if this cruise is available, you need to book it. This experience was easily my favorite thing my wife and I did on our trip between Amsterdam & Paris. Captain Dave is Him! Not only does he have the best looking and most comfortable boat in the canals, but he is also a comedian / historian on the side. You can tell he loves what he does and it rubs off on everyone aboard. He taught us many things in our short time together that I would never even have thought about or realized without him informing us. We laughed the entire trip, learned the entire trip, and drank Prosecco the entire trip. If you come to Amsterdam this tour is a must. The only real downside is that it goes by so fast when your with Capt Dave. I know this sounds all mushy gushy but I promise the tour was that good. Thanks again! We 100% booking a private one on our next trip back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abbey M. 1 year ago on Google
    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.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Serena H. 2 years ago on Google
    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!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jennifer d. 4 months ago on Google • 50 reviews
    One of a kind experience. We took an evening tour of the Festival of Lights and had a wonderful time. The 90-minute time frame allowed our guide to spend more time explaining the sights and answering questions about Amsterdam and Dutch culture. We never felt rushed like the other commercial cruise boats. Our reservation included drinks and snacks on a 95-year-old well kept canal boat, and with only 10 other passengers, it felt like a nearly private tour. Great value and great memories!

  • 4/5 Jennie I. 6 months ago on Google • 36 reviews
    Captain Dave's canal cruise is a nice way to start the day! I took the earliest reservation, which is at 8am, and waited at the meetup spot half an hour early. I'm a real early bird, especially during vacation so I don't miss out on anything, but I would advise you not to worry if you think you'll be cutting it close. The boat didn't arrive until five minutes to the scheduled time, which also is good to note that you shouldn't expect the boat to be sitting there before 8am. I spent most of my free time searching for it, when I could've stayed at the empty part of the canal and waited patiently. So, if you consider taking this tour, remember that you will NOT see the boat early before your start time. Upon arrival, we were invited in by the actual Captain Dave! There are several hosts within the tour, and I was lucky enough to meet the founder. He introduced himself to us, and gave us a chance to introduce ourselves too. This could be a problem to guests who'd rather sit quietly and enjoy the view because throughout the over an hour journey, you will be talking with other passengers. If not, it's likely the Captain will check in with you to make sure you're having a good time. I did speak with people, but I was the only attendee from my reservation, which is probably why the Captain gave me a little more attention at certain points. While it wasn't necessary, as I'm comfortable sitting in silence, I did appreciate his efforts to keep me entertained. I took this cruise on my 1st full day in Amsterdam. I believe it provides a great overview of what the city has to offer on land & sea. I chose the earliest time too because less boats are in motion; so if you're looking for a peaceful, intimate setting to observe the area, then this is your best option. There is sweet bread offered, along with coffee, tea & orange juice. Not exactly filling for breakfast, but enough to keep your stomach from rumbling. It did taste good, and I caught myself refilling my glass with juice and my plate with bread & butter. Captain Dave had a vast amount of knowledge about the area, with things I would've never known about if I hadn't taken his tour. Without spoiling, some information ranged from where you could spot Old versus New Amsterdam, the history behind the buildings, and even how the boat is connected to royalty! The tour did last longer than anticipated, and we were done by around 9:30am, which was warned beforehand, but be wary in case you plan for any other events so they don't clash with the time. Ultimately, I found this to be a worthwhile experience and I'd recommend it to anyone visiting Amsterdam for the first time. Before you head into the most popularized parts of the city (AKA Red Light District) take a step back, relax, and appreciate the history that has been built around you.

  • 5/5 Fran M. 4 months ago on Google • 13 reviews
    Highly recommend the 8am canal boat tour! Gus was so welcoming and knowledgeable we have a fantastic time! Thank you so much.

  • 5/5 Trina B. 2 years ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Elizabeth W. 2 years ago on Google
    Captain Dave's cruise was exactly what we were looking for - a personal tour with a small group on a beautiful historic boat. He told us lots of stories about the places we sailed past and also treated us to delicious tasty Dutch tapas and drinks throughout the cruise. We loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to find an alternative to the crowded impersonal tour boats!

  • 5/5 Jena B. 2 years ago on Google
    Captain Dave was fantastic!!! We hired him for a private boat tour with our family and we are so glad we did. The meeting point was in a central location, the boat was stunning and clean (you have the option to open all of the windows inside, make it heated or enjoy the weather while sitting uncovered in the back.) There is a bathroom on the boat too if that’s a concern for people. He has blankets, a speaker, etc. He is well equipped to make you feel comfortable. Capt Dave was also very informational and had large printouts to explain anything historical! You can bring your own food/alcohol BYOB or he can provide for a charge by the hour. In addition to all of this, he has a great personality!! I will recommend him to anyone coming to town. Don’t look elsewhere.

  • 5/5 Polly G. 2 years ago on Google
    We went on a boat trip with Captain Dave for a family birthday and had a fantastic time! The boat is beautiful and comfortable and Dave is a wonderful host/guide. We really enjoyed his descriptions of Amsterdam history, which he obviously cares a lot about. Dave was happy for us to bring our own bubbly and cake and kindly provided plates and glasses. Would recommend!

  • 5/5 Jason T. 1 year ago on Google
    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!

  • 5/5 Mary T. 11 months ago on Google
    An informative tour on a small, historical canal boat that has been lovingly refurbished. Our guide Tony was funny and personable and I learned quite a bit about the history of Amsterdam in the 90-minute tour. Oh, and the sugar bread he served was a delicious treat with my morning coffee. A great start to my first holiday in the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

  • 5/5 Maren Sivesgaard O. 11 months ago on Google
    Captain Dave is the one to go to for a very special, knowledgeable, and personal tour of the Amsterdam canals. His boat is gorgeous and super for all weather. I highly recommend his boat especially for shoulder seasons when the weather is unpredictable. Captain Dave himself is a perfect host and guide. It is clear that he knows his city like his back pocket and he is more than willing to share. Go check him out on insta and book directly through his website.

  • 5/5 Sabrina 2 years ago on Google
    Absolute MUST do! We moved to Amsterdam a year ago so have done quite a few different canal tours as we’ve had family and friends come to visit and this was the best one by far! Captain Dave was friendly, knowledgeable, and born and raised in Amsterdam so was able to point out several different things that we had not heard about on any of the other tours. It was cold and rainy when we met so the boy was enclosed and heated and absolutely perfect! We chose to bring own food and drinks, but Captain Dave offered to provide them as well. The boat has a very cool history and has been restored beautifully. Even if you don’t have enough people to fill the boat, I HIGHLY recommend doing the tour anyway. It was so worth it and we will definitely be bringing all of our visitors here from now on. Thank you, Captain Dave!!

  • 5/5 Kathy H. 2 years ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Kristy M. 1 year ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Basim G. 1 year ago on Google
    This cruise was the highlight of our visit to Amsterdam. Dave is very courteous and knowledgeable. The boat is amazing and comfortable and with impressive history. Definitely recommend.

  • 5/5 Christophe D. 1 year ago on Google
    Both the boat and the captain are phenomenal. We had a private tour through the canals that was arranged very last minute. Dave was very flexible with our tour arrangements and also very friendly with us. He respected privacy when we wanted privacy and was a great guide when we had questions. He was also super nice to the kids. we were sad to leave! Thanks Captain Dave :)

  • 5/5 K F. 1 year ago on Google
    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!

  • 3/5 Daniel S. 1 month ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    We really enjoyed the boat cruise around Amsterdam’s canals and recommend Dave for his friendliness, hospitality, awesome boat, and overall experience. However, I have to leave 3 stars to give some criticisms that could really help make the tour even better. I mean no ill will; just trying to be constructive! There should be a sign for where the boat is. It was hard to find. Dave needs a video screen instead of passing around laminated maps. We would’ve enjoyed hearing more details about the basic facts of the canal. Dave did a decent job explaining the history of centuries past, but not so much basic information that is present day and relevant. We still recommend him of course, but hopefully this will help improve! Cheers


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