National Park The Biesbosch is an experience on itself. Undertake the relaxed evolving form flora and fauna. Go there first thing in the early morning and enjoy the sounds of the moment. Feel the first sunbeams and hear the birds sing. Notice how nature awakes. The nicest sounds, scents and colors fill the day.

Do you recognize the bluethroat, the reed warbler, the cuckoo, the nightingale, blackbirds, thrushes and other songbirds? Enjoy the early activities of the duck, avocet, cormorants, spoonbills and their ilk. Perhaps you will discover among the reeds some beavers with their young ones? National Park The Biesbosch lets you experience nature in a unique way.

This National Park means enjoying all day long. Nicely making day of doing nothing, or just relaxing. Become one with nature. You’re able to go by foot or go biking, boating, playing, discovering and many more Everywhere in the area you’ll encounter lookouts to get even more impressions. Of course you can visit the information center for everything you want to know about one of the most unique natural areas of our country. Fascinating for all ages.

Genesis of the Biesbosch

The Biesbosch is one of the most water-rich regions in the Netherlands and consists of islands and river sand and mudflats. The National Park is located in Noord-Brabant and Zuid-Holland between the rivers Boven Merwede and Amer and is bisected by the artificial river Nieuwe Merwede. It's a tidal with creeks and willow tidal forests.

Since the year 1000 this area is occupied by humans. Dikes are necessary to protect against the water; maintenance is unfortunately poor and not skillfully. Regularly there are breaches in the dikes. The greatest catastrophe took place in the night November 19, 1421: St. Elizabeth's flood. In a northwesterly storm breaches of the crucial dikes occur in several places on the seaside. A year later, other dikes did breach. Thousands of people were drowned during the disaster, according to tradition.

Both salt and fresh water has since flowed into the country and eventually a unique nature came about: a shallow inland sea with open water in streams and gullies went back and forth with the tides. The Biesbosch is a sweet and salty tidal. Much more information is available from the information center of the National Park. A visit for young and old are very worthwhile.

Rules sailing in the Biesbosch

Every year thousands of holidaymakers seek their entertainment in the Biesbosch, to do an excursion by boat or bike, evening stroll, picnic or overnight. Anyway, in order to protect nature and to allow everyone to fully enjoy this area a number of rules apply in the National Park.
Obviously in nature you must not leave any waste behind, not turn on loud music or lit flames. Fast sailing (+6 km / h) is not allowed, especially in the creeks. Unfortunately, the supervisors of the Biesbosch often have their hands full by talking to offenders about their behavior. Read the following rules before visiting the Biesbosch, ultimately: it is a small effort to honor these simple rules and moreover not risk losing hefty fines!

Ten rules

1. The maximum speed in the creeks is 6 km / h. On some larger waters and rivers you can 9 km / h
2. Commercial boats always take precedence
3. It is prohibited to enter closed areas or creeks
4. Mooring is only allowed at jetties, moorings and playing fields.
5. Camping is only allowed in specified places: wild camping is prohibited
6. Campfires are not permitted
7. Barbecues must be at least 50 cm high (no disposables)
8. Take your waste with you or throw it in the trash or into one of the bins present in the area
9. Fishing is only allowed with a permit
10. The Biesbosch is a sanctuary, honor it