CAPTAINS STORIES

Boudewijn

0 local secrets shared

When Boudewijn started giving canal tours at 14 on his family's small boat, he learned something the big operators never figured out: people don't want to be passengers, they want to be guests. Five generations of Amsterdam boat enthusiasts taught him that the best journeys happen when you're not tied to a seat, rushing past landmarks, or competing with 30 strangers for the captain's attention.

Fons

12 local secrets shared

Fons is a walking (and floating) encyclopedia of Amsterdam. The kind of captain who can tell you why the canal houses lean forward, what's hiding in the Plantage district, and where to see a sunset without another tourist in sight. He's lived part-time in Amsterdam, spent 20 years in Utrecht, and has traveled extensively, which makes him as comfortable discussing the tides of the IJsselmeer as recommending the perfect brown cafe. On board, Fons adapts every journey to your curiosity, mixing history, local secrets, and the occasional personal story from his own family's deep ties to the city.

Hans

9 local secrets shared

Hans grew up sailing as a boy and discovering the world through a camera lens. After 20 years as a professional photographer, he returned to the water full time, combining his love for storytelling, music, and human connection. For Hans, a cruise is less of a history lecture and more of a floating conversation - part cocktail party, part philosophy session, and always full of inspiration. When he's at the helm of The Sophie, expect a captain who knows how to adapt a route to the light, the mood, and the moment. If you're lucky, he'll even send you home with the playlist from your trip.

Jan

5 local secrets shared

Musician, artist, and seasoned captain, Jan has been showing people Amsterdam from the water for nearly two decades. He's worked every kind of boat from classic salon ships to high-end private charters, but now he's happiest introducing guests to the city aboard a smaller, more personal cruise. For Jan, a tour isn't just about the route, it's about reading the guests, matching the mood, and making sure each trip feels unique. His Amsterdam is full of music, hidden corners, and easy conversations in brown cafes. If you're lucky, he might even tell you about the time he ended up sharing a drink with Ramses Shaffy.

Jasper

14 local secrets shared

Jasper was the very first captain to join Bows, and he still brings that same fresh energy to every trip. He knows Amsterdam's busy streets and quieter escapes equally well, whether you want to sip coffee in the Jordaan, cycle through open fields, or chase the sunset from the water. On busy days, he's out on six tours, yet somehow never loses the easy smile that makes guests feel like old friends.

John

10 local secrets shared

Historian, storyteller, and part-time philosopher of the Dutch landscape. John swapped academia for the wheel of a boat, but he still can't resist explaining why Amsterdam looks the way it does: from the polder system to the city's stubbornly low skyline. He's lived here since 2010, and if you let him, he'll walk you through 800 years of history before you've finished your coffee. His favorite routes linger in quiet corners - Westelijke Eilanden, Prinseneiland, and the hidden courtyards of the Jordaan - but he's just as happy pointing out the quirks of a 17th-century gable as he is recommending the best rooftop view in town.

Nikos

6 local secrets shared

A former professional diver, Nikos swapped the deep sea for Amsterdam's canals. He's still most at home on the water, but now his adventures involve steering Pien: a nimble, characterful boat that demands a skilled hand. Born with a love for exploration, Nikos brings a fresh perspective to the city, weaving local history into stories of migration, hidden corners, and life in the Jordaan. He's equally at ease navigating narrow waterways as he is recommending the perfect Chinatown eatery. For him, Amsterdam's charm lies in its diversity: a place where more than 117 nationalities live side by side, and where anyone can belong.