Antwerp — Willemdok

About This Anchorage

Antwerp (Antwerpen) is the second-largest city in Belgium and one of the great historical cities of Europe — the city of Rubens, the diamond trade, the Cathedral of Our Lady, and the second-largest port in Europe (after Rotterdam). The Willemdok (William's Dock, 1812, named after King William I of the Netherlands who created it) is a historic enclosed dock basin in the Eilandje (Little Island) district, 800m north of the Cathedral of Our Lady. Surrounded by renovated 19th-century warehouses converted to apartments, restaurants, and galleries, the Willemdok marina is the most atmospheric city-centre marina in Belgium. The approach is from the River Scheldt — Belgium's great river, which carries enormous tidal-influenced current (1–2 kt at springs). The Scheldt estuary is one of Europe's busiest shipping lanes — Antwerp port handles 260+ million tonnes/year. Arriving in Antwerp by boat gives a unique perspective on the city's maritime grandeur. The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) with its Rubens paintings is 15 minutes walk from the dock.

Hazards

• !Scheldt river: enormous commercial shipping — supertankers, container ships, and bulk carriers navigate the river continuously; do not impede vessels; stay out of the main channel
• !Scheldt tidal current: 1–2 kt at springs in the river — significant set on approach to locks
• !MANDATORY VHF 74 call to Antwerp Port Authority before approaching the commercial port zone
• !Lock entry timing: Bonaparte and Kattendijk locks have schedules — call in advance; waiting areas outside locks
• !Antwerp port: the world's second-largest port — the scale of commercial operations is overwhelming; stay in designated leisure areas only

Skipper's Tips

• →Call Antwerp Port Authority on VHF 74 at least 1 hour before arrival on the Scheldt — they will direct you to the appropriate lock and dock; the port is extremely busy and they are helpful to leisure vessels when properly announced
• →The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) has four original Rubens paintings in situ — The Descent from the Cross (1614) is considered one of the greatest paintings in Belgium; 15 minutes walk from Willemdok
• →MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) at the Eilandje is Antwerp's main city museum — the rooftop viewing platform gives a 360° view of the port and city that is genuinely spectacular
• →Antwerp diamond district: the Hoveniersstraat area (15 min walk from Willemdok) handles 70% of the world's rough diamond trade — the Diamond Museum (Diamantmuseum) explains the industry
• →Antwerp's restaurant scene is one of Belgium's best — the Eilandje converted warehouse restaurants adjacent to the Willemdok are excellent; booking essential in July–August

Nearby Anchorages