A canoe trip through the awakening Biesbosch
Photographer and storyteller Jeanine Verbraak steps into a canoe at the crack of dawn for a special journey through the Biesbosch. As the first rays of sunlight break through the fog, she explores the quiet creeks of this beautiful nature reserve together with guides Sjaak and Paul. Amid mirror-smooth water, awakening birds, and unexpected encounters with remarkable animals, she discovers why the Biesbosch is at its most beautiful in the early morning.
Sjaak immediately speaks up with enthusiasm. You can tell right away: this is someone who lives and breathes the Biesbosch. As he welcomes everyone, he hands out the gear we’ll be using: a dry bag, a life jacket, canoes, and, of course, the paddles. Paul stays quietly in the background but is engaged with the group. Sjaak will lead the way, and Paul will bring up the rear to make sure no one gets lost among the creeks along the way.
Mirror-smooth water and extraordinary encounters
Honestly? The conditions couldn’t be better. A thin layer of fog hangs over the water. Not a breath of wind. Just a soft morning glow slowly creeping across the landscape. The water looks just like a mirror. Together with a friend, I step into the two-person canoe. A little wobble, and then we glide slowly out onto the water. From the very first moment, it feels as if we’re entering another world. We paddle through narrow creeks, and then the waterways suddenly open up into wide expanses teeming with life.
We sail through Gat van de Noorderklip, and right there, exactly what every nature lover hopes for happens. “Jeanine, Jeanine, look over there!” At first you’re not sure—a strange bird with no neck? But then we see it clearly: a beaver! What a moment of pure joy! And less than fifteen minutes later, we spot the kingfisher, a stunning bright blue by the water’s edge. Two personal favorites in one morning—that doesn’t happen often.
The Early Birds of the Biesbosch
Along the way, one sound keeps returning: the mysterious call of the bittern. A deep, rumbling sound from the reeds. As if someone, hidden somewhere, were playing a didgeridoo. The sound lends the journey a touch of magic. We all listen intently, peering into the reeds, but the bittern doesn’t show itself. De Biesbosch doesn’t reveal everything so easily.
Sjaak knows the Biesbosch like the back of his hand and enthusiastically shares stories along the way about the animals, the tracks, and the area. No dry facts, just stories that fit the surroundings you’re gliding through. You can tell from everything he does that he’s passionate about this. We see birds everywhere—geese, herons, grebes, swans, and all kinds of other waterfowl that are active in the early morning. Then Sjaak suddenly points ahead. “Tufted ducks!” Three tufted ducks shoot out of the water and fly right over our heads. It’s fantastic to experience this up close!
The icing on the cake: an otter
But perhaps the most remarkable thing of all: two fellow boaters even spotted an otter! An animal that was recently reintroduced into the Dordrecht Biesbosch. The otter had long since disappeared from the Netherlands due to pollution and habitat loss, but thanks to reintroduction projects, it is slowly returning to our waters. It is a shy, largely nocturnal animal, which makes a daytime sighting all the more special.
When we return to land, the world seems to have fully awakened. The fog has lifted, the sunlight shines high above the water, and the stillness of the early morning has given way to the sounds of a new day. These are exactly the kinds of mornings you won’t soon forget—mornings when the Biesbosch shows itself at its most beautiful.
Want to take to the water sometime?
Through Sjaak’s Biesbosch Tour, you can book both morning and evening tours. It’s easy to do via the website. You’ll receive helpful tips in advance, so the excitement can begin right away. During the approximately four-hour tour—covering about ten kilometers—there’s time for a stop along the way for coffee or tea and a treat. Sjaak keeps a close eye on the weather to ensure you experience the Biesbosch under the best possible conditions. Just as we were able to experience this morning.