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Antwerp Boat Tours: Private Charters & Premium Cruises on the Scheldt

Cruising The Scheldt in Style

Discover the best Antwerp boat tours. Antwerp’s skyline is striking from the quays, but it’s unforgettable from the water. A private yacht slipping past Zaha Hadid’s glittering Port House, a heritage saloon boat gliding into the Old Docks at golden hour. These are the moments that elevate a city break into something cinematic. Below, you’ll find the boat operators that deliver that upscale experience, plus a quick note on a few mainstream cruises you might still want to know about.

Luxury Private Charters

Private decks, tailored routes, and Champagne on ice the Scheldt at its most exclusive. A handful of operators treat Antwerp’s waterways the way five-star concierges treat hotel rooftops: as places for curated moments rather than mass sightseeing. Think electric yachts that glide in silence, a 1930s teak salon boat set for white-linen lunches, and a restored 1918 notary yacht that knows every hidden dock in Het Eilandje. Pick any of the three below and you’ll stay comfortably inside the “luxury” lane that runs through your fine-dining, shopping and hotel guides.

waterlimo: the best antwerp boat tours

Waterlimo

Antwerp Boat Tours
Silent, all-electric XO cruisers (12- and 50-passenger options) slip past MAS and the Port House while your playlist streams over Bluetooth and a captain pours the first glass of fizz. Routes are completely bespoke ; sunset aperitif, architecture safari, or brunch on the river.

Why go? Google reviewers rave about the “instant holiday feeling” and faultless skippers; the electric drive keeps both the Scheldt and your conversation blissfully quiet. 

Hanzestedenplaats pontoon
www.waterlimo.be

Riverstar

Salon Boat Wilford
A fully restored 1930s teak salon boat (50 pax) fitted with white-tablecloth dining, a glass-wrapped lounge, and a panoramic sundeck for ice-cream or champagne service. Day trips trace the Scheldt past film-set villages; shorter charters circle Antwerp’s harbour locks with live commentary.

Why go? Marketed as a “luxe boottocht,” Riverstar pairs slow travel with classic glamour and can plate a three-course lunch while you cruise. 

Sint-Amandsesteenweg pontoon, Temse
www.riverstar.be

Rondvaarten Eilandje 

Rien Elisabeth
This 1918 mahogany notary yacht holds just twelve guests, but oozes Gatsby charm: brass fittings, leather benches, and welcome bubbles the moment you step aboard. The skipper threads the heritage docks of Het Eilandje, pausing for sunset photos beneath MAS or a jazz duo on deck.

Why go? Reviewers call it a “super ervaring, echte aanrader” (“a super experience, truly recommended”); snacks and stories flow as smoothly as the vintage craft itself. 

Kattendijkdok-Oostkaai pontoon
www.rondvaarteneilandje.be

Premium Shared Cruise

Comfortable group vessels with live commentary, bar service, and plenty of deck space—ideal when you want river views without chartering the whole boat. Not every Scheldt outing has to be a private yacht. This operator run scheduled departures on roomy, well-kept craft: perfect for couples, families, or solo travellers who still appreciate a polished experience but don’t need a tailor-made route. You’ll share the deck, yet still enjoy table seating, on-board drinks and guides who know their harbour facts from their folklore.

Flandria Line

The classic panorama cruiser of Antwerp: spacious indoor lounges, an open roof deck and an enthusiastic guide who peppers port statistics with local legends. Routes range from 50-minute skyline loops to two-hour harbour deep dives that pass the massive locks and container terminals.

Why go? Best live commentary in town and plenty of seating options—choose sun, shade or a window table by the bar.

Steenplein Pontoon
www.flandria.nu/en

Last Wake, Last Word

Antwerp’s waterways are the city’s original grand boulevard. Choose a boat that matches your style—silent electric sloop, vintage salon yacht, or champagne-stocked speedster—and you’ll see the skyline, the shipyards and the Scheldt’s wide horizons in a way a quayside stroll can’t touch. Pair the cruise with one of the restaurants or hotels in our other guides and you’ve stitched together a luxury Antwerp itinerary that moves as smoothly as the tide. Before you leave, complete the experience with the city’s brightest legacy: its diamonds.

If buying a diamond is on your Antwerp itinerary, don’t forget to stop by Ajediam. We service an international clientele since 1986 with some of Antwerp’s most exclusive diamonds . Book an appointment ahead of time and let our team know what you are looking for. We will prepare a bespoke selection of beautiful diamonds and a visit of our in-house fine jewelry atelier to create the perfect jewel for you.

Departure Notes

Within a single afternoon, Antwerp can take you from the stillness of the Scheldt’s glistening waters to a glass of Champagne aboard a private yacht or the quiet charm of a historic salon boat gliding past the port’s silent cranes. Look slowly, drift gently, and you’ll understand why this compact city remains Europe’s most concentrated lesson in the power and pleasure of craft. We hope you enjoyed reading this article. As a thank-you for making it to the end, we’ve created a Google Map with all the departure points and charter offices mentioned here to help you plan your own moment on the water. If you are considering buying a diamond during your stay in Antwerp, we would be delighted to welcome you to our offices in the Diamond District of Antwerp. Please contact our team at care@ajediam.com and let us know what you are looking for.