Yacht delivery between the UK and the Netherlands
The Netherlands has one of Europe's biggest markets for used boats, so many of the boats we move on this route are new purchases coming home to the UK, or UK boats heading for the Dutch inland waters and the IJsselmeer.
From the south coast it's a short passage of 170 to 330 miles across the busiest shipping lanes in the world, which is exactly why it pays to have a professional skipper aboard.
Price guide
Typical estimates for this route from our instant estimate tool (October 2026). Prices cover your skipper and crew; crew travel, fuel and moorings en route are extra and agreed with you before anything is booked.
| Route | Distance | Sailing yacht | Motor yacht |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton → Vlissingen | 167 nm | £1,350–£1,900about 2 days | £975–£1,350about 1 day |
| Southampton → Rotterdam | 270 nm | £1,700–£2,350about 3 days | £1,950–£2,750about 2 days |
| Hamble → Amsterdam | 296 nm | £1,700–£2,350about 3 days | £1,950–£2,750about 2 days |
| Hamble → Enkhuizen (IJsselmeer) | 326 nm | £1,700–£2,350about 3 days | £1,950–£2,750about 2 days |
The route
From the south coast we run east up the Channel and through the Dover Strait, crossing the traffic separation scheme at right angles as the rules require, then across the southern North Sea, where the sandbanks and tides need careful planning.
We enter the Netherlands at Vlissingen for Zeeland and the Scheldt, at IJmuiden for Amsterdam via the North Sea Canal, or further north at Den Helder. Sailing yachts can carry on through the country with the mast up on the Staande Mastroute to the IJsselmeer and Friesland.
Typical stops
- Brighton or Eastbourne
- Ramsgate or Dover
- Dunkirk, Ostend or Nieuwpoort
When to go
Any time from spring to autumn, with the summer months giving the longest days. Winter deliveries are possible in a good weather window, as the passage is short.
Good to know
- If you're buying a boat in the Netherlands to keep in the UK, check the import and VAT position with your broker before it sails.
- We often combine a delivery home with a few days of own-boat tuition, so you get to know a new boat straight away.
Get your instant estimate
Enter your boat type and ports for a price range and passage time, then request a full quote.
Questions about this route
How long does it take to deliver a boat from the Netherlands to the UK?
Usually 1 to 3 days depending on the boat and the ports, plus time waiting for suitable weather in the North Sea.
How much does a yacht delivery between the UK and the Netherlands cost?
As a guide, around £975 to £2,750 in skipper and crew time depending on the boat and the ports. Crew travel, fuel and moorings are extra. The instant estimate gives a range for your exact route.
Can you bring a boat I've just bought in the Netherlands back to the UK?
Yes, it's one of the most common deliveries on this route. We can also check the boat over before it leaves and stay on for tuition when it arrives.
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