Europe’s largest maritime festival is on again. It’s every five years, except the last one was cancelled during corona/covid. A massive fleet of tall ships, sailing boats and vessels of all shapes and sizes. This year is the 10th edition and coincides with Amsterdams 750th birthday! Comprising a sail-in parade, 5 days of activities and a sail-out parade.

Let the grand sail-in parade commence.

We’ve thrown down the picnic blanket on the banks of the IJ, so you are all welcome to experience the spectacle from the front row with us! The IJ is a body of water, formerly a bay. It is known for being Amsterdam’s waterfront.

From IJmuiden (where the IJ joins the North Sea) the ships and boats congregate and at 10am they commence a parade down the river — all the way to Amsterdam – arriving after 2pm. After the first boats/ships arrive, the parade continues for another 4 hours there are so many boats! The larger ships then find a mooring in the IJ or IJhaven and the festivities continue for five days. The same fleet then sails back out to see on day 5. Many of the tall ships are available for a tour, hundreds of vessels motor back and forth with hospitality for business, families and friends. Quite a party!

It’s the largest free public event in the Netherlands with 2.3million visitors joining in the organised mayhem and festivities. The whole of Amsterdam is enjoying this festival.

Impressive tall ships, historic vessels, enormous naval ships and thousands of smaller boats parade – joining the procession past us. It’s chaotic out there but seemingly orderly, “keep to starboard”.!!

The eye catching Peruvian tall ship with its four masts is magnificent. It’s a training ship predominantly and 80 cadets climbed up the mast and proudly stood at attention high up in the stays as the ship sailed by, accompanied by their national anthem. They excelled in their white and red uniform which made their ship even more a standout and Bev‘s favourite ship.

Hey, let’s also watch the funny boat parade. This is a family friendly spectacle that celebrates imagination and community spirit.

The large moving mechanical horse and chariot was very unique and cleverly designed.

The four boys on their makeshift SUP raft looked exhausted, but they were encouraged by the crowd’s cheers to keep paddling.

The red car was a standout and there was a rescue boat following them just in case.