Sail your own boat to Ghent

If you have your own boat, you can easily reach Ghent via the rivers Lys and Scheldt and the Ghent-Terneuzen and Ghent-Ostend canals. View waterway maps here. 

Please note: foreign pleasure craft need a waterway vignette to enter the waterways. 

Boating is permitted everywhere on Ghent’s inland waterways, but boating in the (tourist) city centre is discouraged due to the commercial shipping (city tours) taking place. Moreover, there are plenty of alternative navigation routes available outside the city centre. Boating on the Lieve canal is also discouraged because this waterway is too narrow and unsafe. Only commercial shipping by the city tour boats takes place on the Lieve canal. Rafts are preferably not used on Ghent’s inland waterways. 

Non-motorised vessels (canoes, rowing boats, etc.) are allowed as indicated by the signs. 

At Hoofdbrug bridge (near the Castle of the Counts), there is a sign that says passing through is prohibited for motorised watercraft, except for commercial shipping. So no private motorised vessels are allowed to pass under this bridge. It is also forbidden to moor at the Castle of the Counts. 

Watercraft powered by human effort are allowed to navigate everywhere, but this is not advisable because of the narrow waterways and low bridges.  In addition, the operators of tourist excursion boats cannot hear the canoes, kayaks and other non-motorised vessels coming, which may lead to hazardous situation. So although it is not prohibited, it is strongly advised against. 

If you want to boat with a motorised vessel, you need to contact the Martime Police. 
Both the vessel and the skipper must meet a few requirements. 

For waterways outside Ghent, you must contact De Vlaamse Waterweg. 

Yes, Ghent has several marinas. 

Yes, this way, boats can sail all the way around Ghent. 

The Scaldissluis lock 
A lockkeeper manually opens and closes the lock: 

• Weekdays and Saturdays: open at 9 am, 1 pm and 3 pm.
• Sundays and public holidays: open at 1 pm and 2 pm. 

The Sint-Jorissluis lock 
The same lockkeeper also manually opens and closes this lock: 

• Weekdays and Saturdays: open at 10 am, 2 pm and 4 pm.
• Sundays and public holidays: open at 2 pm and 3 pm. 

You can check the most up-to-date operating times here. 

Near the marinas at Langerbrugge and Snepdijk, boats can be launched at a slipway. 

Individual water sports enthusiasts are allowed to sail on the rivers, but large groups or event organisers need to ask permission from De Vlaamse Waterweg.  

Please always sail on the right and take account of other waterway users. Never block the waterway with your boat! 

Individual water sports enthusiasts are allowed to sail on the rivers, but large groups or event organisers need to ask permission from De Vlaamse Waterweg. For example, large groups of water recreationists are no longer allowed during the breeding season. 

You can launch a canoe at Gentse Roei- en Sportvereniging vzw, Vissersdijk 1, 9000 Ghent. 

The safest locations to embark and disembark are the Krommewalbrug bridge and Baudelokaai quay. 

The water stairway is meant for embarking and disembarking, not for mooring. The staircase must always remain clear for other waterway users or for people who accidentally end up in the water. 

The Maritime Police regularly monitor compliance with these guidelines. 

Canoes or kayaks must not be left unattended. Otherwise, De Vlaamse Waterweg will remove these canoes and kayaks. It is therefore advisable to put a mobile phone number or telephone number of the owner on the vessel. 
 
You can leave your canoe or kayak in a marina. Never leave it at a water staircase or quay wall. 
Applications for this can be submitted to De Vlaamse Waterweg, but these moorings can only be authorised for events or group visits. 

Paddling (Stand Up Paddle, SUP) is allowed, but you have to behave according to the shipping regulations: shipping has priority at all times. Activities on Watersportbaan are the competence of the Sports department.