Camperduin (Schoorl Coast)
- Freestyle, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Shallow, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 (Schoorl Coast) is a North Sea kitesurfing spot built around two different areas: a man-made lagoon for flatter-water practice and the adjacent sea for wave riding. The lagoon is seasonally restricted from 1 May to 1 October for Natura 2000 bird protection, while the sea side remains accessible year-round. For kitesurfing, wind is reported primarily as frontal/gradient with best months in spring and autumn (March, April, May, September, October, and November). Typical wind strength is described in the 15–25 knot range, with moderate gusts. The sea side can offer better wave riding opportunities, but it also comes with strong currents and shorebreak effects, so beginner sessions and lessons are not recommended there. The lagoon is described as more controlled and suitable for first meters and freestyle practice, but it can still be gusty (notably due to dune shadow). Pay close attention to depth changes at low tide: submerged groynes/poles and shallow water near the lagoon can create hazards. Beyond kitesurfing, the spot can also work for surfing and (in limited ways) for wingfoiling. Surf is characterized as beach-break with peeling waves that can become powerful in North-West swells. Wingfoiling is most realistic on the sea side where depth is sufficient; the lagoon is often too shallow for standard foils. Always factor in the exposure, onshore chop when winds are not favorable, and the seasonal presence of lifeguards (summer months).
- Distinct lagoon for practice plus exposed North Sea riding
- Best wind months in March–May and September–November
- Good beach access with paid parking and facilities
- Surf waves can develop with West to North-West swell
- Two distinct riding zones: sheltered lagoon practice plus open sea wave/windswell riding.
- Good wind availability in spring and autumn, with documented best months March to May and September to November.
- Beach-side facilities and multiple parking options make the spot accessible.
- Surfers can find beach-break waves that peak with West to North-West swell.
- Strong currents on the North Sea side make it unsuitable for beginners and lessons.
- Lagoon has a seasonal closure (1 May–1 October) due to Natura 2000 bird protection.
- Low tide can expose submerged groynes/poles and shallow areas.
- Sea-side conditions are exposed and can be rough around shorebreak.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, SW
- Offshore directions
- N, SW, NW
- No-go directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal/gradient winds dominate.
- Reliability
- Higher during autumn and spring; summer can be more dependent on passing systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Shallow, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Kite-related reporting includes small wave conditions on the beach area; surf can range to medium and become powerful with North-West swells.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Onshore winds can create choppier conditions; generally exposed.
- Launch
- Medium — Spacious sandy beach area between the lagoon and the sea for rigging and launching.
Through the year
Very crowded on sunny weekends in July and August; quiet during winter weekdays.
October through February (storm season peaks with strong North Sea depressions).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Camperduin combines a lagoon for flatter water practice with open sea riding for waves. The sea side is year-round but has strong currents that make it unsuitable for beginners/lessons; the lagoon can be gusty but is sheltered and is reported as suitable for first meters.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Mainly practiced on the North Sea side; the lagoon is generally too shallow and crowded for comfortable windsurfing.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
The North Sea side is suitable for wingfoiling, though the shore break can be challenging; the lagoon is often too shallow for standard foils.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil-friendly conditions are reported for the lagoon; sea-side depth is referenced as the workable area.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters on the sea side; lagoon is too shallow.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Reliable beach-break waves that can become quite powerful during North-West swells; sandbars near the lagoon’s northern edge can produce the best shapes.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Onshore winds create choppy conditions; lighter South-East winds can provide cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out in very large swells over 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are reported as short with wave-to-wave variability.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Camperduin (Schoorl Coast) in the full forecast view.
Camperduin (Schoorl Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–32 ktsGusts 48 kts
- Direction
- WSW244°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2532 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–4.4 m6s period
- Temperature
- 8–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Camperduin (Schoorl Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–32 kts, peaking around 32 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 48 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.4–4.4 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
- Strong sea currents on the North Sea side
- Stone breakwaters on the beach
- Submerged groynes/poles at low tide
- Risk of being pushed onto the dike with cross-onshore SW wind
- Shallow lagoon water (can become very shallow at low tide)
- Crowds in peak season
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards present during summer months.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited; coastguard/sea rescue managed by KNRM with nearby stations.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number 112. Nearest major hospital identified in Alkmaar.
Rules of the spot
Lagoon access/usage is restricted: closed 1 May–1 October (Natura 2000 bird protection). Kitesurfing is also limited to designated zones; check local signage at the beach entrance.
- Lagoon closed 1 May–1 October (Natura 2000 bird protection).
- Kitesurfing permitted only in designated areas; swimming zones can be off-limits for boards.
- Do not use the sea side for beginner sessions due to strong currents.
- Expect gustiness in the lagoon due to dune shadow.
- Watch for submerged groynes at low tide.
- Be cautious with cross-onshore SW wind to avoid being pushed towards the dike.
- Check the tide for lagoon depth.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Alkmaar
- Nearest Town
- Alkmaar
- Nearest Airport
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
- Parking
- Paid parking directly at the beach entrance is available (two nearby options are described: Camperduin car park and Hargen aan Zee car park).
- Access
- From Alkmaar north on N9, then follow signs to Schoorl, Groet and Camperduin.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Dutch
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and holiday rentals are abundant in Schoorl and the nearby area.
- Food & Drink
- Beach pavilions/bars are available year-round, including referenced venues such as Struin and options at Hargen aan Zee.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental is available via local schools on/near the beach.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs can often be handled by local schools.
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 (Schoorl Coast)?
The best overall months at Camperduin (Schoorl Coast) are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Camperduin (Schoorl Coast)?
Camperduin (Schoorl Coast) works with N, NW, SW winds. Offshore directions are N, SW, NW. No-go directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Camperduin (Schoorl Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Camperduin (Schoorl Coast): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Camperduin (Schoorl Coast) suitable for?
Camperduin (Schoorl Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.