Groningen: Private Highlights BBQ with Drinks on the Lake

The best part of this Groningen outing is that the boat is your private terrace. You get two hours on Paterswoldsemeer with a captain, crew service, a BBQ, drinks, and wide views over the water. It feels less like a sightseeing tour and more like taking your lunch table out for a sail.

I like the easy social setup and the built-in backup for bad weather. The crew welcomes you with a drink, serves three more drinks per person, and supplies blankets and SUP boards. The main consideration is the price: at $517 for a private group of up to eight, this is good value for a celebration or company event, but expensive for a small casual outing.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours on Paterswoldsemeer: You cruise the lake and return to De Steiger without changing boats or meeting another tour group.
• Private floating terrace: The boat gives your party its own space for dining, chatting, and taking in the water.
• BBQ with drinks included: A welcome drink and three additional drinks per person are part of the package, with the crew serving during the meal.
• Roof and blankets for comfort: The roof can close when rain arrives, and blankets help take the chill off the water.
• Extra activities onboard: SUP boards are included, and the activity can also include swimming and other small games.
• Dutch or English service: The captain and host team can welcome you in either language.

A floating terrace on Paterswoldsemeer

Paterswoldsemeer gives this experience its character. You are not heading out for a fast ride or a packed sightseeing circuit. Instead, you spend two hours moving across a lake from a private, furnished terrace, with food and conversation at the center of the outing.

That makes the experience especially appealing for people who want time together. You can look across the water, share a meal, and let the captain handle the route. The surroundings provide the entertainment, but the point is the company.

I also like the scale of the plan. Two hours is long enough to feel like a proper break from Groningen, yet short enough to fit into an afternoon or evening. You return to the same jetty at De Steiger, so there is no complicated transport arrangement at the end.

The boat has room for eight to eighteen people according to the activity information, while the advertised booking price covers a private group of up to eight. If your party is larger than eight, confirm the correct capacity and price before booking. That detail matters, since the cost and boat arrangement may depend on the final group size.

Boarding at De Steiger

The floating terrace comes to the jetty at the agreed time, and boarding takes place at De Steiger. The meeting point is also the end point, which keeps the logistics simple.

You should arrive ready to board at the scheduled time because the boat comes to the jetty specifically for your group. Once aboard, the captain and sailor welcome you with a drink. That first drink sets the tone: this is a hosted outing, not a bare boat rental where you bring everything and manage the trip yourself.

The captain handles the sailing and fuel is included. Service is also included, so you can focus on the meal and the people around you rather than worrying about navigation, petrol, or clearing the table.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since the supplied details do not explain the exact jetty or boarding arrangement, anyone who needs specific access support should confirm the practical boarding conditions in advance.

The two-hour cruise and BBQ

The boat follows a route on Paterswoldsemeer while the crew serves the BBQ. You get a moving view of the lake rather than a meal in a fixed restaurant, and the changing position of the boat keeps the setting fresh throughout the two hours.

The BBQ is the heart of the outing. It gives the cruise a clear rhythm: welcome drink, time on the water, food, more drinks, and room to talk or take part in the activities. The crew serves drinks during the BBQ, which makes the event feel more organized than a self-service picnic.

The food receives particularly strong praise in the available feedback. The grilled food is described as excellent, and the meal is treated as a real feature rather than an afterthought. One detailed account also highlights the good drinks, careful organization, decoration, and music. Those touches matter if you are planning a birthday, team afternoon, or private party and want more than a simple boat ride.

The package includes three drinks per person, in addition to the welcome drink. Beer and wine are specifically listed, along with lunch, although the exact BBQ menu is not provided. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences, ask the provider for the menu before you pay.

SUP boards, swimming, and small extras

The experience includes SUP boards, which give you a way to get off the terrace and onto the lake. Stand-up paddleboarding can add a playful break to the meal, particularly for a group that wants some activity instead of sitting for the full two hours.

Swimming is also listed as part of the lake stop. The information does not specify when or where swimming takes place, so do not assume that the entire cruise is built around a swimming session. Think of it as an optional lake activity within a food-and-cruise experience.

The boat team may also bring small activities. Badminton is specifically mentioned, along with other simple diversions. Music and decoration have also been part of the setup, which helps explain why this works well for a group celebration.

Still, the extras should be viewed as additions, not guarantees of a full water-sports program. The main product is the private cruise with BBQ and drinks. If your group cares most about SUP time, swimming, or games, confirm how much time is normally available for those activities.

Blankets are included, a useful touch on open water. Even during a pleasant day, a breeze can make the ride feel cooler than the shore. The covered terrace offers another layer of comfort: the roof can be closed if rain arrives, so a change in weather does not automatically spoil the plan.

Why the private format matters

A private boat changes the mood. You are not sharing a table with strangers, matching the pace of a large group, or worrying about whether your conversation is disturbing anyone else. You can use the time for a family meal, a birthday, a work discussion, or simply an afternoon with friends.

The private format also makes the experience useful for organized groups. It is promoted for company outings, team building, brainstorming sessions, bachelor parties, and birthdays. A boat with a captain and service gives the organizer less work, while the lake setting keeps the event from feeling like another meeting room.

For a company group, the two-hour length is practical. It is enough time to break routine and talk in a relaxed setting without taking up an entire day. For a birthday or bachelor party, the included drinks, BBQ, music, decoration, and optional activities make it easy to build a social event around the cruise.

There is one limit. A private boat is only good value if the group uses it. At $517 for up to eight people, the full price works out to about $65 per person before any additional cost for a larger party. That figure includes the captain, fuel, service, welcome drink, three drinks each, BBQ, cruise, SUPs, and blankets. For eight people, that is a fair package for a hosted private event. For two or three people, the same total becomes much harder to justify.

Assessing the $517 price

I would judge the price by comparing it with what you would otherwise need to arrange. You are not paying only for a seat on a boat. The package combines a private cruise, fuel, captain, staff service, food, drinks, water equipment, and weather protection.

That bundle has real value for a group. You avoid renting a boat separately, buying food and drinks, arranging fuel, and finding someone willing to captain the vessel. The crew also handles service during the BBQ, which lets everyone in the group take part.

The price becomes less attractive if you mainly want a short boat ride or if your party is well below eight people. It is best understood as an event package, not a low-cost lake excursion.

The exact capacity deserves a quick check. The booking summary says the price is for a private group of up to eight, while the terrace is described as suitable for eight to eighteen people. If you are planning for more than eight, contact The Lake Events to confirm the rate and boat size.

The weather plan and comfort level

The roof is one of the most practical features here. When open, you get the best connection with the lake and sky. When rain arrives, the roof can close, allowing the BBQ and cruise to continue.

That does not mean weather is irrelevant. Wind, temperature, and rain can still affect how much you want to use the SUPs or sit outside. Pack clothing that works for a breezy boat ride, even if the day looks warm on land. Blankets are provided, but a light extra layer is sensible.

The covered terrace also helps if you are organizing a special event. You do not have to create a full backup plan at a restaurant simply because the forecast looks uncertain. The boat is designed to keep the outing going, though conditions may change how much time you spend on the water activities.

Who will enjoy this Groningen outing

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Friends who want a relaxed private afternoon with food and drinks
• Families marking a birthday or special occasion
• Work groups planning a social event or informal brainstorming session
• Bachelor or bachelorette groups looking for something quieter than a bar crawl
• Visitors who prefer an easy hosted activity over planning their own picnic
• Groups that enjoy a mix of dining, scenery, and light water activities

It is less suitable if you want a fast-paced tour, detailed commentary about Groningen, or a long sightseeing route with many stops. No guide-led cultural explanation is described. The captain and crew are there to sail, serve, and host the outing, not to provide a formal history tour.

It may also disappoint anyone expecting a full day on the lake. The cruise lasts two hours, and the SUPs, swimming, and games are supporting activities within that short window.

Language, booking, and practical details

The host or greeter speaks Dutch and English. That is useful for mixed-language groups and gives you a straightforward way to discuss the BBQ, drinks, safety, and activities.

The activity is private, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are coordinating a birthday or work event before every person has confirmed.

Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your preferred date. The cruise starts and ends at De Steiger, with the floating terrace arriving at the jetty at the agreed time.

The package includes:

• Captain and petrol
• Service during the cruise
• Welcome drink
• Three drinks per person
• BBQ and cruise on Paterswoldsemeer
• SUP boards
• Blankets

The precise drink selection and BBQ menu are not listed. Ask about those details before booking if they affect your decision.

My take: book it for a group event

Book this Paterswoldsemeer cruise if you want a private social occasion with the main work handled for you. The strong points are clear: a pleasant two-hour setting, well-regarded grilled food, good drinks, an attentive crew, SUP boards, music and decoration, plus a roof for rainy weather.

I would be more cautious for a very small group because the $517 minimum package price is substantial. For eight people, the cost makes much more sense, especially for a birthday, company outing, or team gathering. Confirm capacity if your party is larger than eight, and ask about the BBQ menu and activity timing before paying.

If your idea of a good Groningen afternoon is food, water, conversation, and a little paddleboarding, this is a practical and enjoyable choice. If you want museums, city history, or a long scenic sailing trip, choose a different activity.

FAQ

Where does the boat cruise begin?

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

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts two hours. It begins and ends at the meeting point at De Steiger.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a captain, petrol, service, a welcome drink, three drinks per person, the BBQ, the Paterswoldsemeer cruise, SUP boards, and blankets.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private group activity. The advertised price covers a group of up to eight, while the terrace is described as having room for eight to eighteen people. Confirm the details for groups larger than eight.

Can I go swimming or use a SUP board?

SUP boards are included, and swimming and stand-up paddleboarding are listed as activities on Paterswoldsemeer. The exact timing for these activities is not specified.

What happens if it rains?

The terrace has a roof that can be closed in rainy weather. Blankets are also provided.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.