The day started with the obligatory trip to the Dolfinarium, aided by the discounted tickets available from the harbour office, which also avoided the lengthy queues which started well before opening time. The shows are well prepared and very professional, although the highlight for us was a playful sea lion who had learnt to stick a flipper in the fountain, thereby diverting it all over the more eager members of the audience. We managed to see most of the attractions before lunch, although with children you could quite easily enjoy a whole day there, as the complex includes a private beach and giant slides. However, the harbour master had suggested 2pm as the latest we should set off without overstaying our welcome and we were inclined to oblige.

At the risk of sounding repetitive it really was another idyllic day's cruising, with blue skies and happy campers enjoying the fine weather and clear waters. Beaches line the lake shore and they were crammed with bathers, swimmers and lilos, some of which seemed a little near to the sports boats and jet ribs for our safety standards. However, they seemed totally unperturbed, even the ones standing naked as the wash lapped around their thighs. Too soon we arrived at the Elburgerbrug, where we could fit underneath with half a metre to spare, before turning right into the approach channel to the old Zuiderzee town.

The moorings along the south side of the canal seemed very busy so we were pleased to see plenty of boxes available in the inner harbour and were directed to a berth by the friendly harbour master. The VVV's walking tour, complete with full English translation, presented an excellent overview of the historic town, laid out in a perfect rectangle in the 14th century and surrounded on all sides by ramparts and a moat. The busy high street is guarded by the Vischpoort, originally a solid defence but converted to a gate in 1592. On the harbour side of the tower a lantern served as the coast light during the port's active years.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 11 nm

Total to date: 1354 nm

Avg Speed: 7 knots

Duration: 1:30 hours

Diesel: 34 litres

Mooring: €12

Electricity: €0,50 meter

Bridges

Elburgerbrug (5.7m)

Charts

1810.7