Ferry between three municipalities must make this historic island accessible

“Symbol of resistance.” While sailing you can read on the bridge of Sint Jan, which forms the entrance of the Hofmansplaat in the Biesbosch. At the end of the Second World War, 75 Germans were disarmed at this connection on the Drimmelen island by resistance fees, Line crossers and people in hiding.

German soldiers were also overpowered at De Witte Keet, a place of residence for griend workers. Those were men who cut willow branches that were used to braid, among other things. At the end of the war, the shack went up in flames with a bombing, but there is now a replica.

In addition, one of the oldest duck decoys in the Biesbosch can be found on the Hofmansplaat. A little further on is the Amaliahoeve, a monumental Biesboschboerderij from 1938.

Viewing the history of the Hofmansplaat with your own eyes is difficult. The possibilities to visit the island are limited. Currently, the nature reserve is only accessible with its own (rental) boat. Moor at the harbor of the Hofmansplaat is not allowed; Boats must anchor at the jetty lower Jannezand or Polder. Organized tours via, among others, the tourist office VVV or cruise company De Zilvermeeuw do put it on.

Despite the expansion of these excursions since the summer of 2023, the municipality of Drimmelen believes that the island should be even more accessible. “We want it to be easier to enjoy the Biesbosch,” the municipality writes in a plan to boost the leisure economy.

Drimmelen therefore wants to realize an extra ferry to the island. Not only residents, but also tourists must benefit from this.

But the circumstances in the Natura 2000 area do not (yet) allow many visitors. A permanent ferry between the marina in Drimmelen and the Hofmansplaat is financially unattractive and therefore not feasible, concludes BLOC consultancy. That Bureau investigated the feasibility on behalf of the municipality and Staatsbosbeheer. “The price tag would be too high for a healthy business case.”

A so -called triangular spring may have to offer a solution. The connection between Drimmelen and the Hofmansplaat then becomes part of a wider ferry connection. A small-scale commercial ferry would connect the municipalities of Drimmelen, Altena and Geertruidenberg with this piece of Biesbosch and connect to existing walking and cycling routes. How many passengers can be on board is not yet known.

Whether the plan is feasible is currently being investigated by BLOC in a follow -up investigation. Among other things, it is examined whether it fits ‘the character and ambition of the municipality of Altena for sustainable quality tourism and recreation’.

An alternative to the triangle feather is that there is more room for providers of excursions to the Hofmansplaat. If that plan continues, Staatsbosbeheer, the municipality of Drimmelen and the entrepreneurs must make clear agreements to monitor the balance between recreation and nature and to maintain support for tourism.

The municipality of Drimmelen hopes that more visitors will soon find the island. “Drimmelen must be put on the map recreationally, and the opportunities with regard to the Biesbosch must be used,” the plan says.