Trustpilot icon We are proud to say that we are rated excellent on Trustpilot. Rosette icon With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water. compass icon Our extensive network of bases across 9 countries means you can enjoy a return-trip or choose from a wide selection of one-way routes. Boat icon We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people. Boat wheel icon That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.

Belgium boating holidays

See a different side to Belgium.
Belgian chocolates
Belgian chocolates
Charming Bruges, Belgium
Charming Bruges, Belgium
Broel Towers, Kortrijk
Broel Towers, Kortrijk
Ooidonk Castle, Deinze
Ooidonk Castle, Deinze
Church of our Lady, Bruges
Church of our Lady, Bruges
Beach in Ostend
Beach in Ostend
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent, Belgium
Colourful Bruges
Colourful Bruges
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Regions in Belgium

Flanders highlights

  • Belgium

    Distillery / Brewery

  • Salt & pepper

    Gastronomy

  • Chateau

    History & Heritage

  • Umbrella

    Swimming & seaside

Belgium is welcoming wherever you go, and during your boating holiday, you can succumb to the country’s rich and unique cultural heritage. Peaceful countryside and ancient towns are connected by Flemish waterways that weave their way through this tiny country’s historic landscapes. New to boating? Don’t worry, you don’t need training or any special licences to hire our boats — our boat driving guide can tell you more. 

Canal boat rental in Belgium with Emerald Star will take you to the heart of Flanders, the Dutch-speaking area of Belgium. The capital of this region is Brussels, which has a mixture of Latin and Germanic cultures, and it is also one of the headquarters of the European Union. This superb city has been enriched by the region’s canals and rivers, which have enabled the cities of Bruges, Ghent, Leuven, and Antwerp to become real commercial crossings, moving goods from Germany to France, England, and Italy. 

Boating in Belgium also offers you a distinctive experience in gastronomy. The country is famous for its artisanal beers, hot and unique waffles, renowned chocolate and carbonade, beer tart, and — to top it all off — French fries! Enjoy this cuisine in comfort on the upper deck of your barge. 

If you’d like to know more about this wonderful country, why not download our region guide? Inside you’ll find information about what to see, local landmarks and amenities, maps, and boating tips, so you can set off on your Belgium trip fully prepared. 

We also have a handy brochure for you to browse which explains all our boating holidayscanal boat holidays, and other services, so download yours today. If you’re ready to book any of our Belgian boats, simply book online or get in touch to have your questions answered.

Review for cruising in Belgium…

“The boat was well presented and clean, and the pre-trip briefing was excellent with a lot of useful information. As a seasoned boater, but using Emerald Star for the first time, I was delighted with all aspects of our holiday in Belgium. Eleven days of 30°C heat and constant sunshine probably helped!”

Stephen Jarvis, Corvette A