With GoBoat on the Spree: relaxing hours on the water

Berlin is known for its waterways that meander through the city. A tour on the Havel or Spree offers a completely new perspective on the city. A particularly relaxing way to get out and about on the Spree is with GoBoat’s electrically powered boats. Whether you are a visitor to Berlin or a Berliner, a trip with GoBoat is an unforgettable experience.

What is GoBoat?

GoBoat is a boat rental company in Berlin that offers electric boats for picnics and sightseeing on the Spree. The company, a joint project between GoBoat and SolarWaterWorld, was founded in Berlin in 2021. There are now two locations where you can hire the boats: near the Oberbaumbrücke bridge at Osthafen and in Köpenick.

The boats are electrically powered, emission-free and super easy to steer. You don’t need any previous experience or a boating license. The engine is barely audible, so I sometimes wondered whether it was running at all. The engines are set to run at a moderate speed of around 3-4 knots (5-7 km/h). Here’s a little tip from me: in headwinds, it seemed to me as if the boat was standing still. So it’s better to allow a little more time and, above all, be patient – you’ll make progress, you’ll just hardly notice it.

The GoBoats have a minimalist and functional design. Each boat has space for up to 8 people. There is a table in the middle of the boat that invites you to enjoy a cozy picnic on the water. The seating area is covered by an awning. This can be removed if desired.

Let the ride on the GoBoat begin…

Before setting off, you will receive a short briefing. The controls are explained. In our case, the boat was powered by an outboard motor. It was steered via a tiller directly on the motor. The speed could be regulated by turning a handle on the tiller. Reversing was also possible.

Driving is actually easy. You just have to remember to look for a fixed point and always steer the tip of the boat in this direction. Don’t forget: if you push the tiller to the right, the boat turns left. Tiller to the left initiates a right-hand turn. This takes a little practice at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it!

Each boat is equipped with life jackets (including for children) and paddles. There was not only an emergency telephone number on a map, but also a possible route. The “procedure” on the Spree should actually be impossible.

Of course, there was also a crash course on traffic rules on the water and tips for a relaxed tour. Then the lines were untied and we were able to cast off.

The route: Osthafen to Funkhaus and back

The tour starts at the Osthafen directly at the Oberbaumbrücke. It is very important to note that passing the Oberbaumbrücke is not permitted. The tour goes in the opposite direction, i.e. towards Elsenbrücke.

After a short time, we were relatively confident in handling the small boat. It was a bit windy and that didn’t make steering easy at first. But once you get the hang of it, it really isn’t a problem.

The first highlight on the route was the Molecule Men sculpture in the middle of the Spree. This monumental sculpture is by American artist Jonathan Borofsky and was first created in 1977 and 1978 for locations in Los Angeles. Borofsky wanted the artwork to remind us that both humans and molecules exist in a world of probability.

The Berlin version of the Molecule Man was installed in 1999 and is 30 meters high. It consists of three figures that touch in the middle. I find this work of art very impressive even from the land. If you sail right past it in a small boat, it looks even more impressive.

After passing under the Elsenbrücke bridge, Treptower Park appeared on the right bank. We could see people walking along the green banks in the beautiful sunshine and ducks occasionally swam into our path.

Around the Insel der Jugend

We followed the shore at a safe distance until the Insel der Jugend became visible in front of us. It lies between Treptower Park and the Plänterwald forest, opposite the Stralau peninsula.

The island was originally called Abbey Island until 1949. The new name “Insel der Jugend” (Island of Youth) was chosen to establish it as a place for young people to enjoy leisure, culture and recreation. The renaming took place in the post-war period, when many places in Berlin were given new meanings and functions in order to promote reconstruction and social renewal.

Today, the small island is a popular destination for Berliners and tourists as it offers a mixture of nature, culture and relaxation. At the heart of the island is the Inselcafé, which has a large garden and a green meadow that invites you to linger.

The island can be reached via a small bridge from Treptower Park. What a lively area. From beer gardens to boat rentals, there’s really something going on here. This is also noticeable on the water. Here we had to slow down and maneuver carefully between the pedal boats. Driving is made even more difficult by the countless houseboats moored here. Some look well-kept and very inviting, while others I hoped wouldn’t sink.

I was really glad when it became a little calmer on the water again. To our right was the site of the former Spreepark Plänterwald. For many years, there was an amusement park here with a Ferris wheel and roller coaster. For many years, there have been plans to put it back into operation. So far, some construction has been going on from time to time and the Ferris wheel is to be rebuilt. Let’s see if there will soon be more than just guided tours past abandoned places.

We are heading back

After we had passed the Eierhäuschen, a historic building on the riverbank, it was time to start the return journey. For us, this meant leaving one bank and crossing the Spree once. This is the only way to turn right and take a closer look at the other bank of the Spree. After a steamer had passed by, I turned the throttle up to full in order to reach the other bank of the Spree quickly. You should be careful with this maneuver in the high season. There are lots of excursion boats on the Spree and private boats are also out and about. You need to keep a good lookout and, above all, keep calm.

We arrived at the Funkhaus Berlin on the other side of the Spree. The Funkhaus was built in the 1950s. The architect Franz Ehrlich, a Bauhaus student, designed the building. It combined elements of socialist classicism with modern architecture. The largest broadcasting center in the world was located here and housed numerous studios in which broadcasts were produced for the entire Eastern Bloc. Today, the Funkhaus is a center for music and culture. It houses several famous studios, including Hall 1, one of the largest and best-known recording studios in the world. Music productions continue to be carried out here, particularly in the field of electronic music. In addition to music productions, the Funkhaus regularly hosts concerts, festivals and events.

A detour to the Rummelsburg Bay

After driving past a large industrial area, we were drawn to Rummelsburg Bay.

Rummelsburger Bucht, also known as Rummelsburger See, is a bay on the Spree in the east of Berlin. It lies between the districts of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Lichtenberg and is about 1.6 kilometers long.

Rummelsburg Bay used to be a heavily industrialized area. In recent years, there have been extensive renovation and development projects to make the bay more attractive as a residential and recreational area. Today, the bay is often referred to as the “emerald in the middle of the capital”. Many boats are anchored here and bob quietly along due to the sheltered location.

Back in the harbor

Back out of the bay, we sailed around the headland of Stralau back onto the main arm of the Spree. By now we had been underway for a good 2 hours and we had to start the return journey. So we went back under the Elsenbrücke bridge, past the modern office buildings of the Mediaspree and the “famous” boat from the TV series “Berlin Day and Night” towards the home port of the boat rental company GoBoat Berlin.

We were already expected and drove slowly to the jetty. Once the boat was moored, we went back ashore.

A wonderful trip! We chatted a lot, saw a lot, enjoyed a lot of sunshine and had a lot of fun! A perfect afternoon and above all a great way to discover the city from a different perspective.

Tips for a successful GoBoat trip

• Don’t forget your provisions: Pack snacks, drinks and crockery – the table in the boat is perfect for a picnic. (Alcohol is permitted as long as the driver remains sober).
• Sun protection: On sunny days, it’s worth taking sun cream and a hat with you. Although the boat has a sun canopy, not all seats are protected in the shade.
• Have your camera ready: The route offers many great photo opportunities, from urban skylines to idyllic views of nature.
• Allow time: Plan at least 2 hours to enjoy the tour at your leisure. It’s better to book a slightly longer rental period and drive at your leisure than constantly checking your watch to make sure you’re back on time.
• Booking: Bookings are made online and you should definitely make a reservation! The boats fill up quickly, especially in summer. It is advisable to arrive at the location 15 minutes before the booked time. You will then receive instructions and can set off on time.

Informations

Address

Stralauer Allee 3,
10245 Berlin

Website GoBoat

Good to know

The trip with GoBoat took place as part of a cooperation with the provider.