Rijkshaven Werkendam sits on the Nieuwe Merwede, the artificial waterway dug between 1861 and 1874 to carry the flow of the Boven-Merwede southwestward toward the Hollands Diep.

The harbour serves as an access point on the Brabantse Oever (North Brabant bank), where the car ferry connecting Kop van 't Land on the Island of Dordrecht makes its crossing.

Because no bridges or tunnels span the Nieuwe Merwede, this ferry link is the primary way to cross the river here.

The location places paddlers and other water-users at the edge of Biesbosch National Park, the expansive freshwater delta known for its intricate network of waterways, wetlands, and diverse wildlife.

The surrounding landscape is flat and open, characteristic of this Dutch river delta environment.