It is located in the municipality of Zwartewaterland, at the mouth of the Zwarte Water river and the Meppelerdiep canal [nl].

Zwartsluis's history started in the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648): it developed around the Swartersluys fortress, which controlled traffic on the Zwartewater inlet leading to Hasselt and Zwolle.

Zwartsluis also served as a consolidation point for the peat-fuel trade, but was surpassed in importance by its neighbours, especially downstream Genemuiden.

[3][4] The town is home to many recreational boats, as well as a heritage fleet of fishing and cargo vessels.

The Arembergergracht canal links the town with the Beulaker and Belter lakes and a multitude of smaller bodies of water just north, created by peat digging.