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

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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
Last-minute
Save up to 30%
Panoramic P.1165FB Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Comfort 6 to 7 people

Panoramic P.1165FB

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
and 3 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1778€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 30%
Neo Self-drive rental boat

Pénichette Premium+ 6 people

Neo

6 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 3010€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 30%
Europa 600 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium 6 people

Europa 600

6 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2058€/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

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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
Last-minute
Save up to 30%
N OCTO Fly 12 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium 8 to 12 people

N OCTO Fly 12

12 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 3095€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 30%
N1350 Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Comfort XL 8 to 10 people

N1350

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
4 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2127€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 30%
N SIXTO Green Self-drive rental boat

Cruiser Premium 6 to 8 people

N SIXTO Green

8 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2741€/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

Save up to 30%
La Péniche P Self-drive rental boat

La Péniche P

7 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2475€/7 nights
Save up to 30%
Linssen Vlet 1030 Self-drive rental boat

Linssen Vlet 1030

8 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
1 bathroom
★★
From 1248€/7 nights
Save up to 40%
Nicols 1310 Self-drive rental boat

Nicols 1310

12 guests maximum
5 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
and 4 children
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1794€/7 nights
Save up to 30%
Tarpon 37 DP Self-drive rental boat

Tarpon 37 DP

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1100€/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

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Royal Mystique A Self-drive rental boat

Royal Mystique A

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
2 bathrooms
Comfort
From 1179€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 20%
Elegance Self-drive rental boat

Elegance

6 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 2 children
3 bathrooms
Comfort
From 1299€/7 nights
Last-minute
Save up to 20%
Dancer 2 (Tango) Self-drive rental boat

Dancer 2 (Tango)

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
and 1 child
1 bathroom
Comfort
From 1639€/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

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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