Goes in Zeeland is an attractive destination for a holiday in your own country. Especially if you like being on the water, you should put Goes on your must-visit list. I sailed up the Oosterschelde from Goes and enjoyed some really fun activities. Are you going on holiday to Zeeland? Then I would be happy to give you tips for Goes and the Oosterschelde.

Boat trip from Goes

If there is one thing you must do in Goes, it is go out on the water. Of course, you are in Zeeland for a reason. I drove from the center of Goes to the Oosterschelde to board the Amelia of Goldies Travel. The Amelia is a 20 meter long motor yacht that you can sail for one day or a few days. You can also spend the night on the yacht. Very cool if you really want to fully discover the Oosterschelde! Unfortunately I only had one day, so I did a day trip on the Amelia. The great thing about the Amelia is that the owners Ko and Ella organize the tours themselves. These people are very friendly and ensure that you lack nothing on board. In addition, they can tell you everything about the area and the Oosterschelde.

Spotting seals on the Oosterschelde

The first stop I make with the Amelia is a sandbank in the Oosterschelde. Here you have an almost 100% chance of spotting seals and from a distance I can see that there are indeed quite a few animals relaxing. If you have good binoculars, I definitely recommend that you take them with you. It is so nice to see the seals busy and with a bit of luck you will also spot some little ones. Skipper Ko gives you plenty of time to look at the seals and in the meantime ensures that the yacht does not come too close. Of course, the intention is not to frighten the seals.

Under the Zeeland Bridge

There is a very special bridge in the Oosterschelde that you really should see if you go sailing here. The Zeeland Bridge, until a few years ago called the Oosterschelde Bridge, is no less than 5 kilometers long, making it the longest bridge in Europe when it was built in 1965. It is no longer the tallest, but it is still a truly impressive structure. The bridge literally extends as far as the eye can see and it is very cool to sail under it.

Lobster fishing on the Oosterschelde

During my cruise with Goldies Travel we combined a visit to the seals with lobster fishing. The Oosterschelde is a very good place for lobster fishing and it is said that the tastiest lobster in the Netherlands comes from here. Of course this has to be experienced firsthand and after spotting the seals I am served a lunch of lobster soup and a whole lobster with lime mayo. Enjoy!

After lunch it is time to transfer to a boat of a professional lobster fisherman. Together we visit all the traps to check them for lobsters. Every lobster caught is measured: if a lobster is too small, it is thrown overboard again. There are very strict rules surrounding lobster fishing and that is a good thing. In this way the population is maintained as best as possible. I find it really fascinating to watch the lobster fisherman at work and I have a lot of respect for this hard profession. The fisherman works alone and he talks very openly about competition, divers who cut the ropes of his traps and poachers who empty his traps at night. It really provides a completely different perspective on (lobster) fishing if you can sail along for a while and ask questions. Very interesting!

Beer brewery in Goes

After the boat trip I will of course also go on an exploration trip in Goes itself. One of the nicest places in Goes that you should definitely see is the Slot Oostende beer brewery. This brewery opened its doors 4 years ago and has since been very popular in Goes and the surrounding area. You can go there for a snack and, of course, a beer. You can also take a tour and do a beer tasting. If you are a beer lover then this is definitely something you should do in Goes. If you don't like beer, the cool building alone is worth a visit. Look here for more information.

Walking through Goes

I didn't have time for an extensive city walk myself, but I did explore part of the city center with a guide. That half hour alone was enough for me to get very excited about all the beautiful buildings and alleys. Goes has a rich history and it is great fun to just wander around here.

Eating at restaurant Karel V

Do you really want to have a good meal in Goes and enjoy local products? Then book a table at the beautiful Karel V. After my day on the water I sat down here for a 4-course lobster menu and that was really great. High quality products, friendly service and an attractive interior make this without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Goes. The lobster menu is not standard on the menu, but the other dishes I saw all looked just as good. Recommended!