Antwerp & Ternuizen

[Daydream believer]

I normally take the family to holland for fortnights hols & enter the system at Flushing
Have often thought about going up to Antwerp. For a look
Anyone done this ?
Is it ok as part of ones hols or is it a bit industrialised
Normally the wife likes the thought of Willhemstad Veere etc but I want a change
Any comments please

 

[sailorman]

I normally take the family to holland for fortnights hols & enter the system at Flushing
Have often thought about going up to Antwerp. For a look
Anyone done this ?
Is it ok as part of ones hols or is it a bit industrialised
Normally the wife likes the thought of Willhemstad Veere etc but I want a change
Any comments please

Antwerp well worth a trip the marina on the north bank is very nice, shops locally & the pedestrian tunnel under the Scheldt into town, then lock out & down to Hansweert & through the canal.
On the way up to Antwerp you go through the dock area then near the City its much more pleasant.
Guapa stopped over @ Lillo on his way back down river & said the Club was very nice also inexpensive to stay there.

 

[stillwaters]

Have done Holland quite extensively and also been into Antwerp as well as other parts of inland Belgium a few times. The nearest marina to the centre is Willemdok. www.jachthaven-antwerpen.be/willemdok .html
Depending on your boat you might also consider visiting other places such as Ghent,Brugge or Brussels etc. - it's good fun chasing the tidal Schelde between Antwerp and the lock at Ghent. You will find Belgium has more red tape than Holland (not too bad though) and you will,depending on your entry point (especially if Ternheuzen) be stung for around 50 euros licence fee at the first lock you come to.For Antwerp,an FD number is essential,preferably before you get there -for this and other help you can phone or email Raymond or Tony the harbour masters at Willemdok,both of whom are very helpful in many languages. By all means PM me if you want further info. John.

 

[Stork_III]

Not been to Antwerp, but did spend the worst most uncomfortable night ever in the Marina at Ternuizen. The first inner berths are badly affected by swell and noise from the continual overnight barge traffic entering and leaving the canal next door. Avoid at all costs. Ternuizen town is fairly underwelming too.

 

[johnalison]

We haven't been to Antwerp for many years but enjoyed it a lot. The approach passes some industry, but that adds some interest in my view. The northern marina was the only one when we went and we found it handy to take folding bikes through the tunnel. Rubens may not be your cup of tea (nor mine) but his house is worth a visit, as is the cathedral. We ate very well in the town, for very little.

I've spent a few nights in Terneuzen. I think there was some wash but no too much. One of the locals was protesting about a harbour official while we were there last and shut off the harbour entrance with a line of buoys. I managed to negotiate our released. That wouldn't happen in France.

Another alternative is to extend your trip by going up the Hanswert canal and return via the Versemeer.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Did Antwerp last year. Stop at Breskens rather than Flushing. It has access at all tidal states and leaving at the bottom of the tide (or just before) is important.
We stayed at the Jachthaven on the s. bank. Less noisy and a very short walk from the pedestrian tunnel under the river. You do have to locK in but only once whereas I think the town harbours are rather more complex. Antwerp itself is well worth the effort, big town square, lots of history-religeous/printing etc etc. V. small red light area, we wandered in accidentally and I was made to stop looking so please report back and tell me what I'm missing!
PS there is a small pond next to the haven with fresh water so take mossie nets, they are big illegitemate ones!

 

[Stork_III]

Did Antwerp last year. Stop at Breskens rather than Flushing. It has access at all tidal states and leaving at the bottom of the tide (or just before) is important.
We stayed at the Jachthaven on the s. bank. Less noisy and a very short walk from the pedestrian tunnel under the river. You do have to locK in but only once whereas I think the town harbours are rather more complex. Antwerp itself is well worth the effort, big town square, lots of history-religeous/printing etc etc. V. small red light area, we wandered in accidentally and I was made to stop looking so please report back and tell me what I'm missing!
PS there is a small pond next to the haven with fresh water so take mossie nets, they are big illegitemate ones!

The flood at Breskens starts about 1hr after LW, the Ebb about 1.5hrs after HW.

 

[sailorman]

the only time we did the trip was Oostende > Ternuizen stoped 2 days, then up on the flood.
the forecast for mid week was windy so Antwerp seemed a good idea

 

[thalassa]

All good info. I keep my boat on the Schelde and live in Antwerp. Feel free to P.M. me or put any questions on here, there might be a chance I can answer them. I'm afraid I'm not too keen on Terneuzen either. Having a good night's sleep is not a reliable option, but fine if you want to stock up on weed... Flushing is reasonably scenic, but noisy at weekends. Breskens is better as a marina, and the village has improved since the last few years. There is also a chandler. Two small secrets: Coming from seaward, I usually moor in Hoedekenskerke on the North side of the river. There are no facilities apart from water and electricity, and the pontoon has just a few non-drying places. But it is calm and cheap.
We also use the pontoon next to the Hansweert lock regularly for stopovers. Not very quiet, giant barges pass every half hour, but doable and free. My boat is in a marina in the small hamlet at 'Paal' next to the largest Dutch nature reserve. http://www.wv-saeftinghe.nl/ It dries completely, so it is often only practical when you come down from Antwerp. Very good clubhouse and cafe. Toilet, water, electricity, cheap. Like Lillo, but even more isolated.
In Antwerp, a few points are different since the last few years: The Willemdok (no inland permit needed) can now be reached by a new pleasure craft lock (the'Kattendijk'). The marina is quieter now that the mammoth MAS museum next to the marina is finished. I confess to have an interest :http://www.mas.be/MAS-EN/Publicatiekanalen/Musea-MAS/MAS-EN/Startpagina-MAS-EN.html. It did attract a million visitors last year, eclipsing the Rubens House and the Plantin printshop. The museum is mentioned only in the latest guidebook editions.

 

[Koeketiene]

Did Antwerp last year. Stop at Breskens rather than Flushing. It has access at all tidal states and leaving at the bottom of the tide (or just before) is important.
We stayed at the Jachthaven on the s. bank. Less noisy and a very short walk from the pedestrian tunnel under the river. You do have to locK in but only once whereas I think the town harbours are rather more complex. Antwerp itself is well worth the effort, big town square, lots of history-religeous/printing etc etc. V. small red light area, we wandered in accidentally and I was made to stop looking so please report back and tell me what I'm missing!

Second all of this (though I couldn't possibly claim ever having accidentally strolled into the red light district ).

Been to Antwerp a couple of times. Breskens - Antwerp is perfectly feasible on one tide.
The yacht club at Breskens is OK, but the food in the restaurant is amazing. Was very surprised to eat that well in Holland till I learned they had a Belgian chef.
In Antwerp, we always stay on the left bank (Marina Linkeroever). Quiet, friendly and yet the city centre is only a 15 min walk away (tunnel under the Scheldt river).
On Linkeroever, the Liberty Yacht Club is a very friendly, lively place (large liveaboard community).
The other yacht club there (RBYC) is a more formal affair (belongs to the blue blazer brigade).
Be aware though: access to Linkeroever marina is limited to HW +/- 1 (lock).
Lock (01 Apr - 31 Oct) manned 08H00-22H00, and you have to call ahead at least 12hrs.

On the way, consider stopping at Lillo.
A place where time stood still. Quaint little harbour - dries though.
We tied up on the ferry pontoon for the night.
Scaldis Yacht Club very friendly. Other pubs all very friendly too.
One has Westmalle Trappist on draught - caused me to miss the tide.

Lillo Harbour