The whisper boats are sailing again
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Slowly but surely, you can see the fresh green of spring reappearing all over the town, people enjoying a lovely stroll along the IJsselkade in the sunshine, and the bustling ice-cream parlours that bring a smile to your face. It’s spring! And that also means the electric boats are back in service – a must-do when you’re in Zutphen.
The electric boats have become an integral part of Zutphen; for over 25 years, tens of thousands of visitors have been finding their way to these special boats on the Berkel every year. In an fluisterboot , you can discover the charm of Zutphen and its enchanting natural surroundings from the water. In 2025, the boating season begins on Tuesday 1 April, and the skippers will be ready to take you on a cruise across the tranquil waters of the Berkel.
Unique stories from the skippers
On a trip lasting around 75 minutes, you’ll sail past historic monuments and surprising spots whilst the skipper (whisperer) recounts the history of our Hanseatic city in his own unique way. The whisper boats operate seven days a week during the sailing season (until 31 October). You can book a place via the whisper boats’ website.
The boarding point for the whisper boats is at Rijkenhage 1.
What is an fluisterboot?
The history of whisper boats dates back to 1996. In that year, the then councillor Van der Houwen launched the first fluisterboot in Zutphen. The fluisterboot owes its name to the electric motors that produce minimal noise – great for nature and for you, of course. Naturally, experienced skippers – known as the ‘Fluisteraars’ – are needed to manoeuvre the boats safely through the choppy waters.