Self-drive boats and canal boat hire

Self-drive boat rentals

An exciting choice of canal and river boats for hire

We have a wide range of license-free, modern cruisers and traditional-style canal boats to suit all group sizes and budgets. Relaxation and fun for all ages, whether cruising on the rivers or canals, as a couple, a family or a group of friends.

Select a rental boat or self-drive fleet below, and click for full details including photos, floor plans, rental prices, reviews and special offers.

Boating on the inland waterways with Hotels Afloat is as easy as child's play.

Locaboat by Riverly

With Locaboat by Riverly you can choose between 25 departures based on canals and rivers in 5 countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Italy.

The Locaboat  by Riverly fleet has 4 ranges of traditional-style Pénichettes for 2 to 12 guests, 
Linssen river yachts  for 2 to 7 guests, and Europa modern-style cruisers for up to 7 guests.
2025 sees the launch of the brand new, environmentally friendly Pénichette Neo.

A random selection of boats from Locaboat by Riverly

Europa 700 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium 6 people

Europa 700

6 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2058€/7 nights
Classic P.1107W Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Classic 4 to 7 people

Classic P.1107W

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 1 child
1 bathroom
★★
From 1246€/7 nights
Panoramic P.1180FB Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Premium 6 to 7 people

Panoramic P.1180FB

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
and 1 child
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1988€/7 nights
Europa 400 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium XL 4 people

Europa 400

4 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1918€/7 nights

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Nicols by Riverly

Nicols by Riverly operates from 26 boat rental bases in four countries: France, Germany, Holland, Hungary and Portugal.

Nicols Riverlyhave five different classes of boats to choose from, the boats in the fleet have bright and spacious accommodations, with excellent equipment and fittings.

The new "C" boats include air-conditioning, 220v electricity during navigation plus a dishwasher!

A random selection of boats from Nicols by Riverly

N800 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Classic 2 to 3 people

N800

3 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
1 bathroom
★★
From 712€/7 nights
N SIXTO FLY C Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium+ XL 6 to 8 people

N SIXTO FLY C

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 3420€/7 nights
N1170 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Comfort 8 to 10 people

N1170

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1567€/7 nights
N1350 B Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Comfort XL 8 to 10 people

N1350 B

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
4 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2534€/7 nights

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

France Passion Plaisance

 France Passion Plaisance "Les Canalous" offers competitively priced rental boats throughout France, as well as in Germany and Italy.

A random selection of boats from France Passion Plaisance

Triton 860 Fly Self-drive rental boat

Triton 860 Fly

3 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
and 1 child
1 bathroom
★★
From 879€/7 nights
Tarpon 42 TP Self-drive rental boat

Tarpon 42 TP

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1400€/7 nights
La Péniche FS Self-drive rental boat

La Péniche FS

12 guests maximum
6 cabins
Ideal for 12 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2711€/7 nights
Haines Rive 40 Self-drive rental boat

Haines Rive 40

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
and 2 children
3 bathrooms
★★★
From 1679€/7 nights

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Le Boat

Le Boat offers a wide range of modern-style cruisers, with 40 different departure points in 8 countries, including France, Holland and other great destinations.

A random selection of boats from Le Boat

Cirrus B Self-drive rental boat

Cirrus B

4 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
and 2 children
1 bathroom
Value
From 659€/7 nights
NEW 2025
Liberty Self-drive rental boat

Liberty

5 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
2 bathrooms
Premier
From 2459€/7 nights
Mystique Self-drive rental boat

Mystique

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
and 2 children
3 bathrooms
Comfort
From 2159€/7 nights
Horizon 5 Self-drive rental boat

Horizon 5

12 guests maximum
5 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
and 2 children
5 bathrooms
Premier
From 2639€/7 nights

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

With the ever-increasing popularity of activity-based holidays, our self-drive cruise vacations enable you to enjoy a variety of pursuits, ensuring a truly memorable trip, regardless of age or interests. Driving a boat is child's play, and after a short induction course, you will be ready to cast off on a beautiful journey. You have the choice of different boats from the Riverly Locaboat, Riverly Nicols, Le Boat and Les Canalous fleets.

For historians and architecture lovers, explore ancient monuments, châteaux, abbeys, and museums.

Sporty? Then hire a canoe, a stand-up paddleboard, or a bicycle. Or how about horse riding, rock climbing, tree climbing, golf, fishing or swimming?

Naturalists? The rivers and canals are natural habitats for a wide range of fauna and flora: Coypu, kingfishers, herons, birds of prey, majestic swans, flamingos, beautiful weeping willows, stunning water lilies and more.

Epicureans love our holidays! Visit the vineyards to see how wine is produced, take tastings in wine cellars, and explore new cuisine and delicious, fresh food in cosy waterside bistros or Michelin-starred restaurants. On all the self-drive boats, the onboard galleys are well-equipped, should you prefer to cook. Many lock-keepers sell their homemade produce while local markets ensure that you will be spoilt for choice.

Total relaxation? Bring your sketchbooks and Kindles, card games and favourite CDs. The peaceful waterways provide the perfect backdrop for some 'me' time.

With so many choices each day, this is undoubtedly the ideal family holiday.

Whichever one of the 11 destinations you choose to cruise in, and whichever region, you will find plenty to see and do to keep you all happy.

Our team of experts is always pleased and ready to help you choose the perfect boating holiday that suits your particular interests.

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