Sail, it’s all about tall ships and windjammers

The Netherlands, historically renowned as a premier sailing nation, continues to celebrate its maritime heritage with numerous sail events. Cities like Amsterdam, Den Helder, Harlingen, Rotterdam, and Delfzijl host grand nautical spectacles, attracting sailors and enthusiasts from around the globe. These vibrant gatherings showcase majestic tall ships, modern yachts, and bustling harbors, offering a captivating experience for all who appreciate the sea and sailing traditions.

Dates of upcoming Sail and Maritime events

Delfzijl – 13 till 16 June 2024 ➔ READ MORE – Sail Delfzijl
Rotterdam – 6 till 8 September 2024 ➔ READ MORE – World Port Days Rotterdam
Amsterdam – 20 till 24 August 2025 ➔ READ MORE – Sail Amsterdam
Den Helder – 2025, specific date is not yet known ➔ READ MORE – Sail and Navy Days Den Helder
Harlingen – 3 till 6 July 2026 ➔ READ MORE – Sail Harlingen
Kampen – 2028 ➔ READ MORE – Sail Kampen

SAIL Amsterdam, historic tall ships visit Amsterdam | every five years.

The first SAIL Amsterdam was organized in 1975 and since then SAIL Amsterdam has been organized every five years in which tall sailing ships from all over the globe sail to the port of Amsterdam. The first sail was part of the festivities around the 700th anniversary of the foundations of Amsterdam. SAIL was such a grand success that it became a regular event and is now the biggest free public event in the Netherlands.

The upcoming edition of Sail Amsterdam is scheduled to take place from August 20 to 24, 2025. This highly anticipated event will mark the 10th iteration of the festival and will coincide with the celebration of the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam. During this five-day maritime extravaganza, visitors can look forward to a stunning display of tall ships and other vessels in the IJ harbor. In addition to the maritime spectacles, the event will feature a diverse range of cultural performances, captivating maritime exhibitions, and not-to-be-missed fireworks shows. This promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Amsterdam’s rich maritime heritage. We all are looking forward to this great shipping event.

SAIL Delfzijn, Tall Ships Races Delfzijl

A Nautical experience with international tall ships. In 2024 the Delfzijl Tall Ship Days are organized from 13 till 16 June. This is a free event and it is the biggest sailing event in the North Netherlands. For four days, the Delfzijl harbor transforms into a lively festival ground with stunning Tall Ships, maritime markets, top-notch performers, and street theater, It’s an shipping event that draws everybody that loves tall ships to DelfSail!
➔ READ MORE – Sail Delfzijl Tall Ship Days

SAIL Harlingen, Tall Ships Races Harlingen | every four years

Sail Harlingen is a more than fantastic and impressive boat event. On the first day of this four-day event, enormous sailing ships sail into the harbor of Harlingen. These tall ships come from all corners of the world. Besides an impressive spectacle, the Tall Ships Races is also an event with a mission. Everything revolves around the personal development and education of young people by offering unique sailing training, regardless of nationality, culture, religion, gender, or social background. Since 2014, the Tall Ship Race is organized once every 4 years in Harlingen. The historic port city of Harlingen is the perfect setting to welcome the mighty ships.

The Tall Ships Races Harlingen is a four-day maritime celebration with about 40 historic sailing ships, spectacular performances, a demonstration of the rescue brigade, spectacular fireworks, tens of thousands of visitors, and hundreds of trainees who have made the journey of a lifetime.

The large sailing ships are manned for six weeks by young people and volunteers and sail from finish to finish. During Sail Harlingen this weekend they will explain sailing on enormous three-masters that are sometimes more than a century old. The Tall Ship Day in Harlingen is a free event.
➔ READ MORE – Sail Harlingen

SAIL | Race of the Classics Rotterdam | Yearly

The Race of the Classics is an annual sailing competition. There are two editions: since 1989 in April for students affiliated with Dutch colleges or universities and since 2006 in October for ‘Young Professionals’ working at leading national and international companies. During the sailing race, classic sailing ships attempt to cross the North Sea to Ipswich, England, and back. The start of the race will take place at the Veerhaven in Rotterdam and the end of the race will take place in Amsterdam.
Race of the Classics Rotterdam

Sail Kampen

The upcoming Sail Kampen will be organized in 2028. The last Sail Kampen was traditionally during the Eastern weekend, from 29 march till 1 April 2024. Kampen is a Hanseatic city at the river IJssel, Veluwe- en Zwarte Meer (Veluwe Lake and Black Lake), both connected at the IJsselmeer. IJsselmeer is the former ZuiderZee, Southern Sea. Kampen is a lovely town that organizes every few year a grand nautical spectacle, the so called Kampen Sail.

➔ READ MORE – Sail Kampen
➔ READ MORE – Kampen, one of the Dutch Hanseatic cities

Sail and Navy Days Den Helder

In the northern city of Den Helder, two major nautical events are organized: Sail and the Navy Days. These events are significant in the maritime community. Den Helder is known for its naval base and maritime heritage. The most recent Sail and Navy Days took place in 2023, and it is expected that the upcoming event will be organized in 2025.
➔ READ MORE – Den Helder, Sail and Navy Days, a grand Nautical Event

Tall ships, history

Many of today’s large sailing ships were built between 1920 and 2005 for various purposes such as research boats, fire/light boats, training ships, whale hunts, herring luggers, and cruise boats. Most obsolete sailing ships have been converted into modern sailing ships.

The Brik Mercedes was taken into service in May 2005, making it one of the youngest ships in the international tall ship fleet. The 50-meter-long ship can take up to 140 people on a day trip. The Mercedes has 2 masts, 18 sails, and a total of 900m2 of sail area. The sailing area of ​​the sailing ship Mercedes extends from the Mediterranean Sea, along the entire North Atlantic coast to the North and Baltic Seas. The Mercedes is present at almost all major maritime festivals in Europe.

Tall ships, definition

A Tall Ship is a large ship, often with a lot of sails. A distinction is made between four classes:
Class A: 1e class. All square-rigged vessels (bark, barquentine, brig, brigantine, or ship rigged) with a hull length exceeding 24 meters and all other vessels exceeding 40 meters in length overall, regardless of rigging or sail.
Class B: Traditionally rigged vessels ( gaff rigged sloops, ketches, yawls, and schooners) with a length of less than 40 meters and a waterline length of at least 9.14 meters.
Class C: Modern rigged vessels (Bermuda rigged sloops, ketches, yawls, and schooners) less than 40 meters in length and with a waterline length of at least 9.14 meters and do not carry spinnaker-type sails.
Class D: Modern rigged vessels (Bermuda rigged sloops, ketches, yawls, and schooners) less than 40 meters in length and with a waterline length of at least 9.14 meters carrying spinnaker-like sails.

Tall ships, sailing speed

The average sailing speed of a tall ship is about 6 knots (nautical miles per hour), that’s almost 7 land miles per hour. The maximum speed under sail can be over 10 knots. Under engine, the maximum is actually less: only 5 or 6 knots.

Gadgets VOC, Dutch Sailing History, Windjammers and Tall Ships

If you want to know more about Dutch sailing history and the grandeur of great ships, delve into the fascinating stories about the VOC (United East India Company) sailing expeditions to the East. These voyages, which took place in the 17th and 18th centuries, not only showcase the impressive naval architecture of the time, but also highlight the adventurous spirit and trading ambitions that drove Dutch exploration and trading activities. The VOC established an extensive trade network that influenced global trade and cultural exchanges.
➔ READ MORE – Lecture about Dutch Sailing History Dutch East India Company
➔ READ MORE – Tall Ships, Windjammers, books,puzzles and more nice watersport stuff

Maritime Museum Amsterdam

If you’re interested in the maritime and sailing history of the Netherlands, the best place to visit is the Maritime Museum, also known as the Scheepsvaart Museum, in Amsterdam.
➔ READ MORE – For a combined trip to the Amsterdam Maritime Museum and a cruise along the Canals, check out GetYourGuide’s offer.

Where to stay near Delfzijl Sail?

When visiting Delfzijl to watch the tall ships entering the harbor, it’s recommended to book a room at Hotel de Boegschroef. This hotel is located along the boulevard next to the harbor and offers a fantastic terrace with a great view. Staying here will ensure a splendid experience, as it is regarded as the best hotel in town.
➔ READ MORE – Hotel de Boegschroef, Handelskade West 12, Delfzijl