Packrafting the Lost Ports of the Zwin
Get to know packrafting during an original daytrip at the Belgian Coast.
We share all our tips & tricks to go on a packraft microadventure
and a choice between several provided routes to discover at your own pace, hiking and paddling through the Zwin area.
Always enough water!
Outside school holidays: Fri to Sun
On request every day.
From 1st of July to 31st of August: every day excpet Mo
Chose between our unique routes from 7 to 15 kms and discover the Zwin area, hiking and paddling on the most beautiful trails and waterways.
Discover our other rental locations in Flanders and expand your horizons. At every location you are welcomed for self-guided packrafting microadventure.
It is all peace and quiet, alone on the water
Cross the Zwin area in the most original way: Go Packrafting!
This region is well-known as a breading area for a lot of migratory birds, especially storks. Once the beating heart of medieval Europe, today the green pearl of the Belgian coast. Our refreshing and diverse tours take you along the Lost Ports of the Zwin. Storks watch over you as you weave together the most beautiful, tranquil waterways, alternating them with surprising polder paths. Along with the healthy sea air, breathe in the rich history of the Zwin region.
Choose your Route
Siphon - 4 hrs - Easy
Start promtly at 10:00 AM
Reception at Maïsterplan, Zuiddijk 14, Damme
Start and endpoint: Siphon, Damme
Hiking: 3 km
Packrafting: 4 km
Route description
From Restaurant Siphon, you walk towards Damme via the ‘Verbrand Fort’ (Burnt Fort) and the bird watching hut across the Romboutswerve polder.
You cross the center of Damme and walk along the Zuidervaartje to the launch site, located at Parking Damme Zuid.
You paddle along the Zuidervaartje back towards Siphon.
Schedule activity
10:00: Reception
10:30: Transfer + departure
11:00: Walk Siphon – Damme (4 km)
12:00: Lunch – inflating packrafts – entering the water
13:00: Packrafting on the Zuidervaartje (3 km, 1 hour)
14:00: Packing up gear + walk (1 km) to Siphon
14:30: Activity completed
Hoeke - 5 to 6 hrs - Medium
Start promtly at 10:00 AM
Reception at Maïsterplan, Zuiddijk 14, Damme
Start and endpoint: Café Welkom, Hoeke
Hiking: 8 km
Packrafting: 5-7 km
Route description
From Café Welkom, you walk through the polder landscape of Damme, via Oostkerke to Bistro ‘Groene Wandeling’.
You enter the water at the Zwinnevaart and paddle via the Hoekevaart to where the water meets the Damse Vaart. You walk along the Damse Vaart back to Hoeke.
This route passes through the Sint-Donaaspolder Nature Reserve.
To preserve peace during the breeding season (15/03 – 30/06), we offer a shortened version.
Outside the breeding season (01/07 – 14/03), the full route through Sint-Donaaspolder is available.
Schedule activity
10:00: Reception
10:30: Transfer + departure
11:00: Hike (5 km)
12:00: Lunch – inflating packrafts – entering the water
13:00: Packrafting (2 hrs)
15:00: Packing up gear + walk (3 km) to Hoeke
16:00: Activity completed
Zwin - 7 hrs - Medium
Start promtly at 10:00 AM
Reception at Maïsterplan, Zuiddijk 14, Damme
Start and endpoint: Parking lot, Retranchement
Hiking: 11 km
Packrafting: 6,5 km
Route Description
From Retranchement, you walk to the Zwin floodplain. This salt marsh area is home to many animals. Not only birds, but also seals find a resting place on the mudflats.
Via the polders, you will encounter Sluis and walk to the launch site at the ‘Uitwateringskanaal’.
Don’t forget your binoculars!
You will NOT be paddling inside the Zwin Nature Park itself.
Schedule activity
10:00: Reception
10:30: Transfer + departure
11:00: Hike (8 km)
13:00: Lunch – inflating packrafts – entering the water
14:00: Packrafting (2 hrs)
16:00: Packing up gear + walk (3 km) to Hoeke
17:00: Activity completed
Siphon
4 hrs - Easy
Start promtly at 10:00 AM
Reception at Maïsterplan, Zuiddijk 14, Damme
Start and endpoint: Siphon, Damme
Hiking: 3 km
Packrafting: 4 km
Route description
From Restaurant Siphon, you walk towards Damme via the ‘Verbrand Fort’ (Burnt Fort) and the bird watching hut across the Romboutswerve polder.
You cross the center of Damme and walk along the Zuidervaartje to the launch site, located at Parking Damme Zuid.
You paddle along the Zuidervaartje back towards Siphon.
Schedule activity
10:00: Reception
10:30: Transfer + departure
11:00: Walk Siphon – Damme (4 km)
12:00: Lunch – inflating packrafts – entering the water
13:00: Packrafting on the Zuidervaartje (3 km, 1 hour)
14:00: Packing up gear + walk (1 km) to Siphon
14:30: Activity completed
Hoeke
5 à 6 hrs - Medium
Start promtly at 10:00 AM
Reception at Maïsterplan, Zuiddijk 14, Damme
Start and endpoint: Café Welkom, Hoeke
Hiking: 8 km
Packrafting: 5-7 km
Route description
From Café Welkom, you walk through the polder landscape of Damme, via Oostkerke to Bistro ‘Groene Wandeling’.
You enter the water at the Zwinnevaart and paddle via the Hoekevaart to where the water meets the Damse Vaart. You walk along the Damse Vaart back to Hoeke.
This route passes through the Sint-Donaaspolder Nature Reserve.
To preserve peace during the breeding season (15/03 – 30/06), we offer a shortened version.
Outside the breeding season (01/07 – 14/03), the full route through Sint-Donaaspolder is available.
Schedule activity
10:00: Reception
10:30: Transfer + departure
11:00: Hike (5 km)
12:00: Lunch – inflating packrafts – entering the water
13:00: Packrafting (2 hrs)
15:00: Packing up gear + walk (3 km) to Hoeke
16:00: Activity completed
Zwin
7 hrs - Medium
Start promtly at 10:00 AM
Reception at Maïsterplan, Zuiddijk 14, Damme
Start and endpoint: Parking lot, Retranchement
Hiking: 11 km
Packrafting: 6,5 km
Route Description
From Retranchement, you walk to the Zwin floodplain. This salt marsh area is home to many animals. Not only birds, but also seals find a resting place on the mudflats.
Via the polders, you will encounter Sluis and walk to the launch site at the ‘Uitwateringskanaal’.
Don’t forget your binoculars!
You will NOT be paddling inside the Zwin Nature Park itself.
Schedule activity
10:00: Reception
10:30: Transfer + departure
11:00: Hike (8 km)
13:00: Lunch – inflating packrafts – entering the water
14:00: Packrafting (2 hrs)
16:00: Packing up gear + walk (3 km) to Hoeke
17:00: Activity completed
Practical Info
Dagplanning
Onthaal stipt om 10:00 bij Maïsterplan voor uitleg en demo.
Je kiest vooraf welke route je zal doen en krijgt hiervoor de nodige informatie.
Hou bij het plannen van je dag rekening met de beschrijving van afstand en duur van de gekozen tocht.
Beschikbaarheid
22 maart tem 30 juni: vr – ma
1 juli tem 28 september: elke dag
29 september tem 19 oktober: vr – ma
Ontdek de andere activiteiten en glamping van Maïsterplan en maak er een onvergetelijke dag/meerdaagse van in de Zwinstreek!
Prijs
50 euro per packraft solo/duo
Route Siphon
65 euro per packraft solo/duo
Route Zwin, Hoeke, Damme
SOLO packraft – iedereen vanaf 15 jaar
DUO packraft – volwassene + kind (<15 jaar, <150 cm)
Inclusief:
Huur packraftmateriaal
Instructievideo’s
Kaartmateriaal met route
Opvolging parcours
Zwinkroket bij Maïsterplan na afloop
Via onze partner Maïsterplan bieden we ook wat lekkers aan, zie onder.
SOLO of DUO?
De minimumleeftijd van 15 jaar en/of lengte van 150 cm voor onze SOLO packrafts is vastgelegd op basis van de intensiteit van de tochten, vooral door de wandeling met een rugzak van 6 kg.
De packraftset weegt 5 kg (SOLO) en 7 kg (DUO).
Materiaal
Je krijgt van ons een packraft, een opblaaszak, peddels, een zwemvest en een waterdichte rugzak om dat alles in op te bergen.
Dit breng je zelf mee:
Lunch & dranken, tenzij besteld
Plastic zakje voor je wandelschoenen
Zonnebescherming
Eventueel regenjas en -broek
Eventueel verrekijker
Welke kledij doe ik aan?
Draag sportieve en sneldrogende kledij (geen jeans!). Lage wandelschoenen of sportschoenen zijn voldoende.
Dialy Schedule
Start promptly at 10:00
Reception at Maïsterplan for explanation and demo on gear and routes.
When planning your day, please take into account the described distance and duration of the chosen trip.
Availability
March 22nd to June 30th: Fri – Sun
July 1st to Sept 28th: Every day
Sept 29th to Oct 19th: Fri – Sun
Discover the other activities and glamping by Maïsterplan and turn it into an unforgettable day or multi-day trip in the Zwin region!
Pricing
50 euro per packraft solo/duo
Route Siphon
65 euro per packraft solo/duo
Route Zwin, Hoeke
SOLO packraft – everyone from 15 years old
DUO packraft – volwassene + kind (<15 jaar, <150 cm)
Inclusief:
Rental for packraft equipment
Online instruction videos (NL/ENG)
Map with indicated route
Route maintenance
Zwin croquette at Maïsterplan
SOLO or DUO?
The minimum age of 15 and/or height of 150 cm for our SOLO packrafts is determined based on the intensity of the trips, mainly due to the hike with a 6 kg backpack.
The packraft set weighs 5 kg (SOLO) and 7 kg (DUO).
Equipment
You will receive a packraft, an inflation bag, paddles, a life jacket, and a waterproof backpack to store it all.
What to bring yourself:
Lunch & drinks (unless ordered)
Plastic bag for hiking shoes
Sun protection
Rain jacket and trousers (optional)
Binoculars (optional)
What clothes should I wear?
Wear sporty and quick-drying clothes (no jeans!). Low hiking shoes or running shoes are sufficient.
You will get hungry …
Picknick
A varied lunch pack from Maïsterplan ensures that you can recharge your energy during a dip and keep packrafting for the rest of the day. The lunch consists of a delicious sandwich with seasonal vegetables from their own picking garden. Additionally, a fresh home-grown salad is provided.
You can choose between charcuterie (meat) or cheese (veggie).
Price: 13,50 euro
BBQ & Harvest Table
From 18:30 PM onwards, pull up a chair at the long tables of Maïsterplan and enjoy fresh and innovative barbecue dishes!
With vegetables from their own organic picking garden and home-raised meat, supplemented with natural beef from a local organic butcher, farmer Max ensures a super cozy taste experience. There are also plenty of delicious options on the grill for veggies!
The evening meal must be reserved separately via the Maïsterplan website. Only from July to September, unavailable on Mondays. You will receive a 15% discount code in our confirmation email after booking.
… and get tired!
Glamping at Maïsterplan
Extend your packraft micro-adventure with a magical night among the corn fields or on the farm, and experience the Zwin region to the fullest! Sleep together with your partner, family, or friends in the corn maze or on the farm at Maïsterplan and enjoy a beautiful starry sky. From the orchard, a secret path leads you to your glamping spot, where you can completely unwind.
The glamping must be reserved separately via the Maïsterplan website.
Book now!
Kan ik dit doen met kinderen?
Tired of just sitting on the beach and want to go on an adventure with your kids at the coast?
Yes, you can!
Our Siphon route is ideal to do with children! Afterwards, you can visit Maïsterplan for numerous other activities.
The Hoeke route, a whole day on and around the water, is also accessible for adventurous kids!
The minimum age of 15 and/or height of 150 cm for our SOLO packrafts is determined based on the intensity of the trips, mainly due to the hike with a 6 kg backpack. Judge for yourself what is feasible for your child(ren).