Groningen: Private Highlights BBQ with Drinks on the Lake

The best part of this Groningen outing is its floating terrace. You are not simply sitting in a boat while someone else steers. You have a private outdoor space, a BBQ, drinks, and two hours on Paterswoldsemeer, with the captain and sailor taking care of the sailing and service.

I like the easy mix of food and scenery, and I like that the crew brings more than a meal. SUPs, blankets, and drinks make the trip feel social and flexible. The main thing to consider is the price: $517 for a group of up to eight is a serious spend, so it makes the most sense when you can fill the booking with friends, family, or colleagues.

Key points to know before you book

• A private two-hour cruise: Your group has the terrace to itself while the captain sails around Paterswoldsemeer.
• BBQ served during the trip: You can eat while moving across the lake, with drinks served by the crew.
• Three drinks per person plus a welcome drink: Beer, wine, and other included drinks are part of the package.
• The roof can close in bad weather: Rain does not automatically end the outing, though the views and open-air feel will change.
• SUPs and blankets are included: You can add a little activity or simply stay comfortable on the terrace.
• Best for a full group: At $517 for up to eight people, the per-person value improves when the booking is shared.

A floating terrace instead of a standard boat ride

At De Steiger, the floating terrace comes to the jetty at your agreed time. Boarding takes place at that same spot, so there is no separate transfer or complicated meeting point to find. You step aboard, settle into the private terrace, and let the crew handle the practical work.

The boat is designed around sitting, eating, and enjoying the water. That matters. Many short boat trips give you a narrow seat and a view through a rail. Here, the central idea is a floating social space where your group can talk, eat, drink, and watch Paterswoldsemeer pass by.

The captain and sailor welcome you with a drink. Their role includes sailing and service, so you are not expected to manage the boat, prepare the meal, or keep track of the route. You can spend the first minutes getting comfortable and taking in the lake.

The tone is relaxed rather than sightseeing-heavy. You are not being rushed from one landmark to another. The appeal is the water itself, the open views, and time with your own group.

Paterswoldsemeer by boat for two hours

The cruise lasts two hours and takes place on Paterswoldsemeer in Groningen Province. The lake is the setting for the entire experience, with the route providing changing views while lunch or dinner is served on board.

The lake portion includes sightseeing, swimming, and stand-up paddleboarding. These options give the outing some variety, but you should not treat them as a tightly scheduled program. The supplied details do not set out a fixed swimming stop or a separate paddleboarding lesson. Think of them as things available during the two-hour lake time.

I like that this leaves room for your group to set the pace. You might spend most of the trip talking around the BBQ, or you might take a turn on a SUP if the moment feels right. Blankets are included for comfort, which is useful on the water when the air feels cooler than it does on shore.

The tradeoff is that two hours passes quickly. Once you include boarding, the welcome drink, the meal, and any time spent on the water with a SUP, there is not much room for a long, far-reaching cruise. This is best viewed as a compact lake escape, not a full-day boating trip.

BBQ, drinks, and service while you sail

The meal is the heart of the outing. The BBQ is served during the cruise, so the food becomes part of the scenery rather than a separate stop at a restaurant. You can eat with the lake around you, then return your attention to the conversation and the views.

The crew serves drinks during the BBQ. The package includes a welcome drink and three drinks per person. Beer and wine are specifically mentioned, along with lunch and drinks as part of the lake stop. If you are comparing this with an ordinary boat rental, remember that you are paying for service as well as fuel, food, and the boat itself.

The food receives particularly strong praise. The BBQ fare has been described as excellent, and the drinks are also singled out as a strength. The crew is praised for being very friendly, which helps the meal feel looked after rather than self-service.

The exact BBQ menu is not provided, so you should check the available details before booking if dietary needs or specific ingredients matter to you. The experience includes BBQ food, but the supplied information does not promise vegetarian, vegan, halal, or allergy-friendly options.

You also should not assume that every drink is unlimited. The included amount is one welcome drink plus three drinks per person. That is enough for a short outing, but it is worth keeping in mind when comparing the total cost with other private boat packages.

A social setup with music and small extras

This experience is built for groups that want something more personal than a public sightseeing boat. The private format means your party can use the terrace as its own space, without sharing the meal or seating area with strangers.

The setup has also included decoration and music, along with paddleboards, badminton, and other small activities. Those touches are useful for a birthday or company outing because they give people something to do between courses and conversation. They also keep the trip from feeling like two hours of sitting in one place.

I would treat these additions as part of the event style rather than a guaranteed full activity program. SUPs are listed among the included features, while badminton and some other small games are not itemized in the main inclusions. If a particular activity matters to your group, confirm it when booking.

The private arrangement works especially well for a birthday, bachelor party, team-building session, brainstorming meeting, or company outing. It can also suit a family or friend group that simply wants an afternoon together without planning every detail.

The roof makes the plan more practical

The terrace has a roof that can be closed if it rains. That is a meaningful feature in the Netherlands, where a promising afternoon can turn wet without much warning. You can still sail rather than cancel simply because of a shower.

A closed roof changes the feel of the outing, of course. You will have less of the open-air sensation and perhaps fewer wide views from the terrace. Still, the shelter makes the booking less fragile than an uncovered boat ride.

Blankets are included too. On a lake, that small detail can make a difference, particularly if you are sitting for much of the trip. It gives you a simple way to stay comfortable without having to bring extra gear.

The weather protection is not a promise of perfect conditions. It does mean the experience has a practical backup when rain arrives. If sunshine and open views are your main reason for booking, check the forecast and keep expectations flexible.

Price and group size: where the value works

The price is $517 per group of up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to about $64.63 per person. For a private two-hour boat ride with a captain, fuel, service, BBQ, welcome drink, three additional drinks per person, SUPs, and blankets, that can be reasonable for a special occasion.

The value is less convincing for a small party. Four people would effectively pay about $129.25 each, while two people would carry the full group price between them. The private terrace and included food still have value, but this is not an inexpensive casual boat rental.

There is also an apparent capacity detail to clarify. The experience is sold for groups of up to eight, while the terrace is described as having room for eight to eighteen people. For this specific booking, use the stated maximum of eight unless the provider confirms another arrangement.

Fuel is included, so you do not need to add a separate petrol charge. The captain and service are included as well. That makes the total easier to judge than a bare boat hire, where food, drinks, fuel, and staffing can add up after the initial price.

I would book this for a group that values convenience and a private setting. If your priority is the lowest possible cost per person, a public lake cruise or self-catered boat may suit you better.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a strong match for a group that wants one organized activity with food built in. The captain, sailor, service, and covered terrace remove much of the planning that can make a celebration tiring.

It is particularly suitable for:

• Birthday gatherings
• Company outings
• Team-building afternoons
• Bachelor parties
• Brainstorming sessions
• Friends or family looking for a short lake break

The format also works for groups with mixed energy levels. Some people can use the SUPs, while others can stay seated with a drink and a blanket. That is more useful than a tour that requires everyone to follow the same active schedule.

It may be less suitable if you want a long guided tour of Groningen, a detailed account of local history, or a highly structured sightseeing route. The focus is on the lake, food, company, and an easygoing afternoon.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, which broadens its usefulness for private groups. Specific details about boarding conditions or wheelchair assistance are not provided, so it is sensible to confirm any individual access needs before arrival.

Getting to the jetty and returning to De Steiger

The starting point is De Steiger. The floating terrace comes to the jetty at the agreed time, and boarding happens at that exact location.

This is simple, but timing matters. The boat is not described as waiting while late members arrive, so plan to be at the jetty before the scheduled boarding time. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it easy to continue your day from De Steiger.

The host or greeter speaks Dutch and English. That covers the practical welcome and basic communication for international groups, while Dutch-speaking groups will have no language concern.

The outing lasts two hours from start to finish. Since the boat returns to the original meeting point, you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the far end of the lake.

Booking flexibility and practical limits

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging a group outing before everyone has confirmed.

The private format is the main booking advantage. You are buying an experience for your own group rather than reserving individual seats on a shared sightseeing boat.

Still, check the start times before you commit. The available departure times vary, and the activity page directs you to check availability. The supplied details do not give a fixed daily schedule.

The experience provider is @ The Lake Events. No individual captain or sailor names are supplied, so you should expect a crew welcome rather than a named guide-led tour. The two staff members handle the sailing and service during your time on the lake.

My verdict: book it for the occasion, not just the boat ride

I would book this if you can gather a good-sized private group and want a celebration that feels easy from the moment you board. The strongest features are the private terrace, friendly service, well-regarded BBQ, included drinks, and the option to use SUPs or simply sit under the roof with a blanket.

The $517 price deserves a careful look. It is much easier to justify at eight people than at two or three. You are paying for a hosted event with food, fuel, a captain, service, and drinks, not just for access to a boat.

Skip it if you want a cheap way to see Groningen from the water or if you need a long, guide-heavy sightseeing tour. Book it if your group wants a two-hour lake celebration with the practical details handled, the food served aboard, and enough flexibility for everyone to enjoy the afternoon in their own way.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The activity starts at De Steiger. The floating terrace comes to the jetty at the agreed time, and boarding takes place there.

Where does the experience end?

The boat returns to De Steiger, the same meeting point where the activity begins.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours.

How many people can I book for?

The price is listed for a private group of up to eight people. The terrace is described as having room for eight to eighteen people, so confirm the permitted group size if your party is larger than eight.

Is the BBQ included?

Yes. A BBQ is served during the cruise on Paterswoldsemeer.

How many drinks are included?

Each person receives a welcome drink and three additional drinks. Beer and wine are mentioned among the available drinks.

Are SUPs included?

Yes. SUPs are included as part of the activity.

What happens if it rains?

The terrace roof can be closed in case of rain. Blankets are also included.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Specific boarding details are not provided, so confirm any individual access requirements with the provider before booking.