The etherification of 1-octanol catalysed by zeolite BEA was investigated. The kinetics were determined in an open system with almost no water present. The influence of the catalyst particle size, catalyst concentration, temperature, and alcohol concentration was investigated. The apparent activation energy measured for the etherification was 149.8 kJ/mol. The 1-octanol showed an inhibiting effect on the reaction rate, i.e. when the concentration of 1-octanol increased the initial reaction rate decreased. This effect can be explained by a Langmuir–Hinshelwood like mechanism in which an adsorbed alcohol needs an empty neighbouring site to form an active intermediate and split of water. The influence of water on the kinetics was investigated using a closed autoclave set-up. Water showed a strong inhibiting effect on the initial reaction rate of the etherification of 1-octanol.