Amsterdam City Card

Those Dam Boat Guys Amsterdam (REVIEW 2026) - Worth It??

Those Dam Boat Guys Amsterdam is a small canal tour operator for visitors who want a more intimate way to see the city from the water. It looks especially useful for travelers who prefer a relaxed, English-language cruise rather than a big, scripted sightseeing boat.

The most useful conclusion from the available research is that this is a real Amsterdam leisure operator with a clear niche: small boats, a casual atmosphere and a local feel. If you want a quieter canal experience in the Jordaan area, it is a plausible option to compare against the better-known cruise brands.

About Those Dam Boat Guys

Those Dam Boat Guys is an Amsterdam canal tour company focused on small, intimate boat trips. The business is registered in Amsterdam and appears in the city’s passenger-vessel register, which places it firmly in the local canal-cruise scene rather than the generic sightseeing market.

What makes it distinctive is its small-boat approach. The company presents the tours as laid-back, fun and informative, and its public tours are in English only. Its base in the Jordaan, near Prinsenstraat and Café de Knoop, also gives it a more neighborhood-style starting point than the larger, central cruise terminals many visitors know.

At a glance

Detailed review

The strongest appeal here is the format. Small silent electric boats usually mean a calmer ride, better conversation and a more personal atmosphere than on large packed cruise vessels. That matters if you care about the experience of being on the canal, not just ticking off the classic Amsterdam view.

The operator also seems positioned for travelers who want flexibility. Public tours are English-only, but the company notes that other language arrangements may be possible on request. That makes it attractive for international visitors who want straightforward communication and a tour style that feels less formal.

There are also a few practical details that can matter in real life. The company says it is not a party boat, but guests may have more freedom than on standard sightseeing cruises. It also notes that passengers can signal if they do not want to be around smoke, and seating can be rearranged. Those are small touches, but they suggest a more adaptable onboard experience.

On the other hand, this is not the most standardized option on the market. Bigger canal brands usually come with clearer public-facing logistics, broad scheduling and highly polished booking systems. Those Dam Boat Guys seems more personality-driven, which is appealing if you like a local operator, but less ideal if you want the most structured, one-size-fits-all choice.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Small-group feel: The smaller boats should make the cruise feel more personal and less crowded, which is a real advantage for couples, friends or travelers who dislike mass tourism.
• Relaxed atmosphere: The laid-back, informative style sounds better suited to visitors who want a social canal ride rather than a formal tour script.
• English-language public tours: That makes it easy for international visitors to join without language friction.
• Jordaan location: Starting in a recognizable neighborhood gives the experience a more local flavor and puts it close to a classic Amsterdam area.

Cons

• Less standardized than the biggest brands: If you prefer highly polished, widely advertised cruise operations, this may feel more boutique and less predictable.
• Public tour language is limited: English-only public tours are fine for many visitors, but not ideal if you want a tour in another language without arranging it in advance.
• Limited public logistics detail: Compared with major cruise brands, the publicly verified booking and operating information is thinner, so you may need to check details before you commit.

Who it suits best

This is a good fit for visitors who want a smaller, more relaxed canal cruise and do not mind a less corporate feel. It should also suit couples, friends and small groups who care more about atmosphere than having the biggest possible operator.

If you are traveling with people who want a simple, English-language sightseeing cruise with a more local personality, this is worth considering. If you want a very standardized tourist product with the broadest possible schedule and brand recognition, one of the large canal cruise companies may suit you better.

Practical information

The company is based at Prinsenstraat 13-H in Amsterdam, in the Jordaan area. The office is also described as a possible meeting point if Café de Knoop is unavailable, so that is a useful landmark to remember if you are planning to meet there.

One useful practical note is that the company says the onboard setup is more flexible than a standard sightseeing cruise. That can matter if you care about seating, comfort or being away from smoke. Since verified public pricing and opening hours were not clearly established in the research, the safest approach is to check the booking details before you go.

Practical tips before you book

• Choose it if you want a smaller boat and a more intimate atmosphere.
• Check the language setup if you need anything other than English.
• Confirm the meeting point in advance, especially if you are navigating the Jordaan on foot.
• Dress for the canal breeze, especially for evening departures.
• If you are comparing value, look at what is included in the cruise style rather than only the ticket price.

Where to buy tickets

The generator will place the booking link here.

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Comparison with alternatives

If you are comparing canal cruises in Amsterdam, the most useful contrast is between this smaller operator and the larger, more established brands. Stromma Netherlands is a big canal-cruise operator, so it is the safer comparison if you want a mainstream experience with broad visibility. Blue Boat is another well-known alternative and is typically the sort of choice travelers make when they want a polished, familiar cruise brand rather than a boutique-feeling operator. Lovers Canal Cruises is also a common sightseeing option and works as a benchmark for visitors who want a more traditional canal cruise product.

The practical difference is simple: Those Dam Boat Guys seems best if you want small and local, while the larger brands are better if you want scale, predictability and the comfort of a very familiar name.

Final verdict

Verdict: Those Dam Boat Guys looks like a worthwhile choice for travelers who want a smaller, more relaxed Amsterdam canal tour with an English-speaking guide and a neighborhood feel. The main drawback is that the public information is less detailed than for the biggest cruise brands, so it is better for people who value atmosphere over a highly standardized experience.

Editorial score: 7.7/10. That score is provisional because the public review evidence is real but limited and mixed, with strong positive signals about the unique small-boat experience and some critical feedback about individual trips.

FAQ

Is Those Dam Boat Guys a real Amsterdam canal tour operator?

Yes. It is a registered Amsterdam leisure and inland passenger transport business with canal-boat operations in the city.

Is the tour only in English?

The public tours are described as English-only. If you need another language, it is worth checking whether a special arrangement is possible.

Is this more of a party boat or a sightseeing cruise?

It is presented as a laid-back, informative canal tour rather than a party boat, although the experience appears more relaxed and informal than a standard mass-market cruise.

Where is it located?

The business is based in the Jordaan area at Prinsenstraat 13-H in Amsterdam.

What kind of traveler is it best for?

It is best for visitors who want a smaller boat, a more intimate atmosphere and a canal cruise that feels more local than commercial.