Sailing and boating in Belgium is possible in open water off the seacoast and on the many inland waterways. A few inland lakes are suitable for water sports as well.
There are over 1,523 Km of navigable inland waterways. In the north, they are managed by the Flemish authorities and in the south by the Walloon administration. Brussels manages just 14 Km of waterways. Each administration has the right to set opening hours for locks and bridges, decide where boats may moor and select sections of water suitable for high-speed navigation. They are also responsible for maintenance and engineering works.
Pleasure cruisers and yachts are the most popular types of boating activity, but there are clubs and associations for enthusiasts of other sports including water skiing and rowing.
- Canals: The flatland canals of Flanders are along the English Channel, while the hills and rivers of Wallonie are in the south. The Canal du Centre connects the Meuse and Scheldt rivers, and links the artificial lake Grand Large to the Brussels–Charleroi Canal.
- Rivers: The rivers Leie, Schelde, Sambre, and Meuse are popular routes for canal cruisers.
- Maintenance: Most waterways are well maintained and handle some freight.
- Tourism: Belgium's waterways are a popular destination for tourists and cultural attractions. Visitors can enjoy cruises along the canals and waterways, and discover cities like Ghent, Bruges, Oudenaarde, Mons, and Brussels.
- Links to other countries: Belgian waterways provide convenient links to the Netherlands and France
For expert information and advice about buying or selling boats and yachts in Belgium contact one of our experienced advisers who will be happy to assist you. Below is the current list of boats for sale in Belgium that are available to our network.