Publication date: 06/08/2024
The Marina Cape Helius is located in the town of Hellevoetsluis, on a former arm of the North Sea: the Haringvliet. It is one of the most renowned marinas in the province of South Holland, and with no fewer than 300 berths and premium services, it offers exceptional reception conditions.
What’s less well known is that the Marina Cape Helius is at the heart of a formidable sailing area, where yachtsmen can enjoy a host of exceptional destinations.
Having trouble imagining what motorboat or sailboat trips in the region might be like? In this article, the Port Adhoc team gives you an overview of the various places to visit in the area!
Hellevoetsluis
Let’s start with the most obvious: if you’re mooring at Marina Cape Helius, whether for a few nights or all year round, don’t miss out on beautiful Hellevoetsluis! Our marina is sheltered by a magnificent fortified town that’s well worth a visit. A former military port, Hellevoetsluis still boasts a rich maritime history, which you can discover through the local architecture and several museums.
From the port, the ramparts and historic city center are just a 15-minute walk away. You’re sure to enjoy a pleasant stroll in a friendly, family atmosphere…
Stellendam
Very close to the Marina Cape Helius, Stellendam is a destination to visit after a short sail: this harbour village is only 2.8 nautical miles away!
In the municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee, for a few hours or a day, you can stroll around a port that was once bustling with fishing and freight vessels. The central streets of Stellendam are full of charm.
Among the activities not to be missed on this stopover, we recommend a visit to the Korenlust windmill and a taste of the local speciality, Stellendammer Garnalen, in one of the destination’s picturesque restaurants.
Middelharnis
From Marina Cape Helius, you can also head south-east. You’ll round Slijkplaat and cross the Haringvliet to Middelharnis. All in all, it’s a quick sail of less than 5 nautical miles.
Middelharnis is a picturesque, tranquil destination that doesn’t suffer from overcrowding. Boaters choose this stopover for the discovery of the town’s harbor canal, just over 2 kilometers long, and the location of Middelharnis harbor, convenient for exploring the surrounding area. The shopping streets are easily accessible on foot or by bus. You can also take advantage of this stopover to dine in one of the brasseries or restaurants!
Rockanje
Just 5.5 nautical miles from the Marina Cape Helius, the town of Rockanje is another recommended destination. To get there from our port, head west on the Goereesesluis.
Rockanje is one of the few places around Hellevoetsluis where you can enjoy access to the beach, covering an area of almost 6 square kilometers. Rockanje beach is 8.5 kilometers long and 70 meters wide, stretching from the Groene Punt nature reserve to the Haringvlietdam.
The local church and mill are landmarks in the Dutch town. Several collections of ancient artifacts are also on display in various museums: the De Koffieleut Museum, the Museum In Den Halven Maen and the Openluchtmuseum De Duinhuisjes.
Are you a fan of unusual tours? Visit the Alpaca Greenhouse, an ecological farm where you can rub shoulders with and care for alpacas!
Tiengemeten
Just over 8 nautical miles from Hellevoetsluis and the Marina Cape Helius, lies the Dutch island of Tiengemeten. This island on the Haringvliet used to be dedicated to agriculture. Since the end of the 20th century, it has been a biodiversity conservation area. By boat, you can anchor in the vicinity of Tiengemeten, either to the west or east, or moor in the harbour on the island’s northern side.
In Tiengemeten, you can visit the Rien Poortvliet Museum and, above all, enjoy a relaxing stopover in the heart of nature.
Den Bommel
South of Tiengemeten and around 9 nautical miles from the Marina Cape Helius, Den Bommel is also worth considering. The last village on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee before the Haringvliet bridge, Den Bommel is a quiet destination that can also be visited for a few hours or a day. In the immediate vicinity of the marina, within walking distance, you’ll find a small beach and a few children’s playgrounds. There aren’t really any tourist attractions in Den Bommel. However, it’s well worth exploring the surrounding area by bike along the outer dike.
Willemstad
To reach Willemstad from Marina Cape Helius, you’ll need 15 nautical miles. This time, you’ll sail southeast on the Haringvliet, past Tiegenmeten and the Haringvliet bridge. The bridge has a deck height of 11.98 meters. It is raised several times a day to allow ships with greater air draught to pass.
Discover a North Brabant destination! Willemstad, in the municipality of Moerdijk, is another fortified town at the crossroads of Volkerak and Hollands Diep. Here you’ll find the first Protestant church in the Netherlands, the Koepelkerk, and a remarkable building, the Mauritshuis, which served as the town hall for over 20 years. Inland waterway enthusiasts will love the Volkerak locks, which allow passage through the dam of the same name.
Ooltgensplaat
Ooltgensplaat is 16 nautical miles from the Marina Cape Helius. To the south of the island of Goeree-Overflakkee, the town welcomes yachtsmen in a marina, allowing them to discover the destination at their leisure.
Our recommended program includes a hike of just over 10 kilometers along the Dutch coast, between the village of Ooltgensplaat and Galathese Haven.
From Ooltgensplaat, you can follow the banks of the Hellegat and explore the polders of the region. You’ll have a view of the dikes and the Piet de Wit wind farm, and can take a break to recharge your batteries in a café-restaurant along the way.
Schiedam
The town of Schiedam is located 23.5 nautical miles from the Marina Cape Helius in South Holland. It is more densely populated than the previous destinations, with just over 80,000 inhabitants.
To reach Schiedam by boat, you’ll have to take a winding route! You’ll take the Haringvliet, the Spui, the Old Meuse, the Het Scheur and the New Meuse.
Schiedam Windmills, Liduina Basiliek, Bibliotheek Schiedam in de Korenbeurs… there’s no shortage of things to do in Schiedam! Schiedam also offers visiting yachtsmen the chance to visit specialized museums such as the Jenever Museum, the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, the Museummolen De Walvisch, the Borrelmuseum and the OpenArtExchange.
Shopping enthusiasts will be delighted to discover the destination’s shopping center: Winkelcentrum Spaland.
Rotterdam
Opposite Schiedam, 26.6 nautical miles from Hellevoetsluis, Rotterdam is our latest destination. The second largest city in the Netherlands promises to be a wonderful stopover!
Renowned for its modern architecture, in particular Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos’s Erasmus Bridge, Hugh Maaskant’s Euromast Tower and Piet Blom’s Cube Houses, Rotterdam still boasts a remarkable historical heritage, linked to its great port history.
Rotterdam’s Old Port and the Delfshaven district – with its canals, boats, windmills and traditional houses – attest to the city’s authenticity, on the borderline between tradition and modernity. Finally, on Rotterdam’s artistic axis, or Witte de Withstraat, visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant nightlife and gastronomy.
That’s all from Marina Cape Helius in Hellevoetsluis! We hope we’ve inspired you to sail from this port, and look forward to meeting you soon in South Holland.
