Groene Strand (Terschelling)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Groene Strand (Terschelling) is a tidal, shallow flat-water spot on the Wadden Sea side west of West-Terschelling. Conditions are generally flat to choppy with cloudy water. The usable riding area is strongly affected by tide: at low tide the beach/lagoon can become very shallow or dry, and launch space can narrow considerably, so planning your session around high tide is essential. For wind sports, winds are most favorable from the southwest through west (SW/WSW/W). Providers describe a summer thermal/sea-breeze reinforcement alongside the dominant westerly wind pattern, typically active in the afternoon window (roughly midday into late afternoon). Typical strong-season riding is reported from May through October, with additional guidance that wind is more reliable during April–September (with one source quoting a 40–60% reliability range) and that autumn/spring can also be storm-active. Safety is dominated by the nearby navigation/shipping channel (Vliestroom): strong currents and large vessel traffic exist just outside the shallow riding zone. Kitesurfing is restricted to a designated buoy/zone boundary (yellow buoy to the western red buoy), and access-point distance rules may apply during the summer months. In addition, shell beds/oyster beds and shallow-water hazards increase the importance of checking the seabed where you may have to walk or recover. Overall, the spot is particularly suited to beginner and early intermediate kitesurfers seeking flat-water riding in a large area, as long as they stay within the marked zone and respect the tidal/current constraints. Windsurfing and wingfoiling are possible but become more tide-sensitive for safe water depth; wingfoiling is described as limited and usually only feasible at higher tides nearer the channel markers.
- Flat-to-choppy, shallow riding at the right tide
- SW–WSW–W wind with afternoon window reinforcement in summer
- Designated kitesurfing zone bounded by buoys
- Main hazards: shipping-channel currents/traffic and shells/oyster beds
- Wide, shallow flat-water riding area at the right tide
- Works best with SW–WSW–W winds during the main warm months
- Multiple wind sports supported (especially kitesurfing; also windsurfing/wingfoiling depending on tide)
- On-site amenities (food/drink and basic services) for day sessions
- Very tide-dependent: water depth drops sharply toward low tide
- Currents and shipping traffic near the navigation/channel are the main safety concerns
- Oyster/shell beds can make shallow areas hazardous
- Wind can be turbuent due to nearby town effects (wind shadow)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Sources describe a warm-day reinforcement (sea-breeze / thermal) on top of the dominant westerly wind pattern.
- Reliability
- 40–60% (April–September)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate gusts by one provider; another provider describes light gusts.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 5–9 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Beach composition reported as sand by one provider; another notes mixed grass/sand.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Flat — Flat wave conditions reported; another source describes shallow flat to choppy water.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Flat to choppy water; one source describes chop.
- Launch
- Small — Shallow and dry at low tide with limited launch area; space varies with tide and can become narrow at high tide.
Through the year
Peak in summer (July–August); quieter in spring and autumn.
October–March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Tidal flat-water kitesurfing on the Wadden Sea side of West-Terschelling / Groene Strand. Best when the water is deep enough (around high tide) to keep a safe riding depth away from the channel; works best with SW to WSW winds. Shells/oyster beds and the nearby navigation/shipping channel are key hazards.
- Kite Sizes
- 5–12 m²
Flat-water windsurfing is possible, particularly near the channel edge when there is sufficient depth; otherwise the area becomes too shallow at low tide. Same tidal constraints as kitesurfing due to the Wadden Sea.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–7.5 m²
Can be very difficult because of extreme shallowness; sources indicate foiling may only be feasible closer to the channel at higher tides.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil-friendliness; may require higher tides / riding closer to channel markers.
- Min Depth
- 0.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Groene Strand (Terschelling) in the full forecast view.
Groene Strand (Terschelling) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–35 ktsGusts 54 kts
- Direction
- WSW243°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2535 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–3.6 m7s period
- Temperature
- 11–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Groene Strand (Terschelling) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–35 kts, peaking around 35 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 54 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.5–3.6 m with a period of about 7s. 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 currents near the shipping channel (Vliestroom/navigation channel)
- Ships and shipping traffic
- Swimmers
- Very shallow water / dry beach at low tide
- Sharp shells and oyster/shell beds
- Poles/piles/navigation markers (posts, buoys)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported by one provider; another provider indicates none.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — One provider reports limited rescue availability; regional context indicates sea rescue services are available (not necessarily at the immediate spot).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facility is in West-Terschelling; emergency number is 112. Additional evacuation to the mainland may be needed for serious cases.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism concerns indicated in the spot-level sources.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing permitted only within the designated kite zone; stay within marked buoy zone (yellow to red buoys). Around May–September, there are access-point distance rules (e.g., stay 200m from beach access points) and a need to check tide and navigation-channel boundaries.
- Kitesurfing is only permitted within the designated zone.
- Access-point restrictions apply during May–September (e.g., stay 200m from beach access points).
- Nature protection/access restrictions may apply in nearby protected areas.
- Rideability is typically within a tidal window around high tide (sources indicate roughly 3 hours before to 3 hours after high tide).
- Avoid drifting toward the shipping channel; current and ship traffic are dangerous.
- Stay within the marked buoy/kite zone (between yellow and the western red buoy).
- Check tide times carefully because the water can disappear at low tide and conditions can change rapidly.
- Wear appropriate protection and watch for shells/oyster beds due to shallowness.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Leeuwarden
- Nearest Town
- West-Terschelling
- Nearest Airport
- Leeuwarden Airport (LWY)
- Parking
- Parking available at the spot (one source); limited parking near the harbor is also mentioned.
- Public Transport
- Ferry from Harlingen; transport on the island commonly by bike/bus
- Access
- Ferry from Harlingen to Terschelling. Groene Strand is on the west side of West-Terschelling on the Wadden Sea side. Parking is available at/near the spot in one source; another notes limited parking near the harbor and bicycle is preferred.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Dutch
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Camping and holiday homes in West-Terschelling and nearby villages; many hotels/campsites and holiday rentals are available in West-Terschelling.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurant and bar on/near the spot; a paviljoen is noted as right at/overlooking the area for post-session drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available through local schools/schools in West-Terschelling.
- Gear Repair
- A shop/repair service available via local services/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 Groene Strand (Terschelling)?
The best overall months at Groene Strand (Terschelling) are May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Groene Strand (Terschelling)?
Groene Strand (Terschelling) works with SW, WSW, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Groene Strand (Terschelling)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Groene Strand (Terschelling): Kitesurfing: 5–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Groene Strand (Terschelling) suitable for?
Groene Strand (Terschelling) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Advanced.