Camperduin
- Shortboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Camperduin is a fairly exposed, sandy beach-break on the North Holland coast, backed by dunes and influenced by nearby breakwaters/groynes. It’s described as having fairly reliable surf for winter sessions, while summer conditions can skew much flatter. For surfing, the typical ride is short and fast (often under 50 m). The spot is workable on all tides, but guidance is consistent that mid to low tide tends to be best—when the high tide starts to cover breakwaters, the current can increase. Because of this, anglers and surfers are specifically advised to avoid getting in during the higher-tide window when the breakwaters are covered. Wind and swell alignment matters. East to northeast winds are described as offshore for cleaner conditions, and the strongest swell directions are given as north–northwest (and generally north-northwest/NW) depending on the guide. One source notes offshore easterlies provide groomed waves, while wind/wave interactions around the coastal structures can create variability in quality. Safety-wise, dangerous rip currents are a prominent warning, alongside hazards from the coastal structures and cold winter water. Sharks are also specifically mentioned as a hazard. Thermal needs are correspondingly high in winter: a full winter setup with hood, gloves, and boots is recommended.
- Best month: November
- Best tide: mid
- Offshore easterly winds can create cleaner surf
- Short but fast rides (<50 m)
- Unlikely to be too crowded, even when surf is up
- Fairly exposed but reliably surfable sandy beach break on the west coast of North Holland.
- Works across tides, with best rides typically during mid to low tide.
- Clean offshore easterly winds can improve grooming; NW/NNW swell provides solid surf potential.
- Wide sandy beach and generally straightforward beach access.
- Dangerous rip currents are a key hazard, especially when high tide covers breakwaters (increased current).
- Strong exposure and cold water conditions in winter require proper thermal protection.
- Short ride length; rides are typically under 50 m.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE, SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- E, NE
- Wind Range
- 12–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Provider descriptions conflict (one cites offshore easterly/E-NE; another cites frontal SW/W/NW). Treat direction/cleanliness as tide- and swell-dependent.
- Reliability
- high during autumn and winter, lower in summer
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy bottom
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy beach access with wide sandy beach.
- Shore Break
- Small
Through the year
Busy on weekends and sunny summer days; quiet during winter weekdays.
Storm season peaks from October to February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Versatile spot with space for freeriding and small wave sessions, particularly popular when the wind has a westerly component.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for bump and jump or wave-riding depending on swell height.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.8 m²
Accessible from the beach, though the shore break and occasional chop can make the initial launch challenging for beginners.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fairly exposed beach break with a sandy bottom. Waves break both left and right; short, fast rides are typical, especially from mid to low tide. Best with offshore easterly winds and NW/ NNW swell.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NNW, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best tide is mid; additional guidance says mid to low tends to give the best rides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break on the west coast with sand and breakwater/groynes nearby.
- Wind Effect
- East winds are offshore and provide clean, groomed conditions; wind effect for surfing is described as offshore for E/NE.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — One guide describes quality as good; another as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Described as fun power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Short (<50 m); fast peaks.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides, typically under 50 m even on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Camperduin in the full forecast view.
Camperduin wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–32 ktsGusts 49 kts
- Direction
- WSW244°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2532 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–4.5 m6s period
- Temperature
- 8–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Camperduin is forecast for daytime winds of 3–32 kts, peaking around 32 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 49 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.4–4.5 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Dangerous rip currents
- Breakwaters
- Stone groynes and sea wall defense structures
- Sharks
- Cold water
- Currents (moderate lateral currents depending on wind and tide)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Local rescue availability is described as limited for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services via 112; regional rescue station coverage is available along the coast.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Surf on all tides but avoid high tide when breakwaters are covered due to increased current; respect local surfers and stay clear of designated swimming zones during summer months.
- Zoning for different sports during peak summer season
- Stay clear of designated swimming zones during summer months
- Current increases significantly when high tide covers breakwaters—avoid getting in during covered high-tide conditions.
- Mid to low tide offers best rides with waves coming around the breakwater.
- Check the sandbanks after major storms as the seafloor shifts frequently.
- The lagoon nearby is used by beginners but may have depth or access restrictions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Alkmaar
- Nearest Town
- Schoorl
- Parking
- In summer the parking area costs money; off-season it is free parking. (Also described as a large paid parking area at the beach entrance.)
- Public Transport
- Regional bus services connect the area to broader rail connections (via Schagen railway station).
- Access
- From Alkmaar follow signs for Den Helder along the Noordhollands kanaal. Take exit Schoorl/Hargen. It is one beach up from Hargen, next to the dyke. Instant access (<5 min walk) from parking.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Dutch
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday parks and campsites in Schoorl and Groet.
- Food & Drink
- Several beach pavilions offer snacks and meals.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at the local surf school and nearby shops.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is described as limited.
- Gear Repair
- Yes
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Camperduin?
The best overall months at Camperduin are November.
Which wind directions work at Camperduin?
Camperduin works with E, NE, SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are E, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Camperduin?
Recommended equipment sizes at Camperduin: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.8 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–30 kts.
What skill level is Camperduin suitable for?
Camperduin suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.