Fees · Destination Guide
Cold water, living shipwrecks and slack-water precision off the Dutch coast
Key fee: Commercial wreck-charter day
Varies by operator, vessel, fuel and included services
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
There is no destination-wide marine park tag for the Dutch North Sea wreck field. The main direct cost is the boat charter, and pricing depends on vessel, fuel, distance, fills, meals and the number of dives. Legal access is shaped less by a visitor permit than by heritage law, protected-war-wreck rules, operator standards and club membership.
Do not interpret "no general permit" as permission to recover artifacts. Dutch authorities prohibit unauthorized excavation and the picking up, moving or removal of archaeological objects underwater.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial wreck-charter day | Varies by operator, vessel, fuel and included services Per scheduled charter day |
| Visiting scuba divers |
| Directly from the licensed or established local operator |
Confirm whether the price includes two dives, cylinders, air or nitrox fills, lunch and equipment. Read weather-cancellation and minimum-participant terms. |
| Marine park tag | Not applicable Not applicable | All visitors | No destination-wide North Sea marine park tag is sold | Individual protected areas, harbor rules and wreck-specific restrictions still apply. |
| Underwater cultural heritage access | No general visitor fee Every dive | All divers and underwater researchers | No ticket; comply with Dutch heritage law and operator instructions | Looking and non-intrusive photography may be possible, but unauthorized excavation, cleaning, picking up, moving or removal of objects is prohibited. Report significant finds. |
| Protected war-wreck restrictions | No fee; legal and ethical restrictions apply Every visit to a protected war wreck | Divers visiting sites such as HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy | Not a purchasable permit | Treat the site as a grave. Do not disturb remains, enter prohibited areas, recover artifacts or touch ammunition. The skipper may impose stricter conduct. |
| Club participation or guest contribution | Varies; some club boats are members only Per club event or membership period | Divers seeking non-commercial club access | Directly from the club when guest access exists | Do not assume a club's published dive calendar is open to tourists. Duikteam IJmond states that nonmembers cannot simply join its own vessel. |
| Municipal overnight tax | Varies by municipality and accommodation Per overnight stay under local rules | Most overnight visitors | Collected by the lodging provider | Check the final booking breakdown for The Hague, Velsen or another municipality because rates and calculation methods can change. |
Fee
Per scheduled charter day
Confirm whether the price includes two dives, cylinders, air or nitrox fills, lunch and equipment. Read weather-cancellation and minimum-participant terms.
Not applicable
Individual protected areas, harbor rules and wreck-specific restrictions still apply.
Every dive
Looking and non-intrusive photography may be possible, but unauthorized excavation, cleaning, picking up, moving or removal of objects is prohibited. Report significant finds.
Every visit to a protected war wreck
Treat the site as a grave. Do not disturb remains, enter prohibited areas, recover artifacts or touch ammunition. The skipper may impose stricter conduct.
Per club event or membership period
Do not assume a club's published dive calendar is open to tourists. Duikteam IJmond states that nonmembers cannot simply join its own vessel.
Per overnight stay under local rules
Check the final booking breakdown for The Hague, Velsen or another municipality because rates and calculation methods can change.