The Inner Harbor at the Marineterrein in Amsterdam has been a popular swimming spot for locals for years. Until now, this location was known as a wild swimming spot. In recent years, we have regularly measured the quality of the swimming water here, and it remains good. The bottom has been thoroughly inspected, and the gaps and cracks between the quay walls and the bottom have been filled. As a result, the Inner Harbor is now considered an official swimming location.
The province of North Holland has designated the Inner Harbor as the first official swimming location in the Centrum district. The swimming spot will receive its new status in April at the start of the swimming season.
Swimming all year round
You may swim at this unique urban swimming spot all year round. However, we ask you to be considerate of the surroundings and other users of the site. Please leave it clean and keep it quiet. There will be no supervision. Swimming is therefore at your own risk. And a tip: check the water quality before you go.
Information about water quality
On the website of the Marineterrein and digital information screens on the site, you can find current information about the water quality and the temperature of the water. This system also warns when the water is temporarily less suitable for swimming. For example, when we have to discharge excess sewage into the water after heavy rain. The floating pier will then also be closed.
10 swimming spots
With the location at the Marineterrein, Amsterdam now has 10 official swimming spots where the water is clean and safe. We hope to establish the eleventh official swimming spot in Weesp at a location along the Vecht. We are investigating where this can best be done, so that the residents of Weesp can also enjoy a nice swimming spot.
Living laboratory
The Marineterrein is set up as a living laboratory where various organizations, companies, and startups test solutions for urban challenges such as livability, security of existence, sustainability, and climate adaptation. The development of the Inner Harbor into an official swimming location is a great example of this.
Another project that you can now see is Floating Nature. These are floating pieces of nature, made from materials such as reeds, cork, willow, and bamboo, attached to mooring poles and along the quay. Researchers are examining the effects of this floating nature on ecology and water quality.