Noordwijkerhout (South Holland)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Swell, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Noordwijkerhout (South Holland) is a large North Sea beach setup characterized by sandy shore conditions and multiple sandbars that can shape both kitesurf and surf sessions. Water quality is described as cloudy/fair, and conditions are commonly choppy, especially when frontal winds are active. For kitesurfing, the spot is best when winds align with N, SW, or W frontal/westerly patterns. Reported typical ranges are roughly 15–28 knots, with moderate gusts. The launch is described as easy due to the wide sandy beach, but wind can vary near the start zone where trees/buildings create local shadowing. Surfing is supported by the sandbar system: in favorable setups it can produce multiple wave breaks, with a reported working swell window around 1–4 m (direction commonly SW/NW/W depending on source). Wave character is inconsistent in descriptions—ranging from peeling/moderate to more mushy/average—so conditions are strongly dependent on the day’s wind and swell. Safety is a key consideration. Sources flag rip current possibility, choppy water, shore break, and hazards such as poles/groynes and nearby beach infrastructure near landing zones. Kitesurfing is limited to a designated kitesurf zone (Langevelderslag) and riders should stay away from swimming areas in front of the main pavilions, especially because the beach can become very crowded in peak season. Lifeguards are seasonal and rescue access is reported as limited at spot level, with emergency services (112) and nearby KNRM resources available regionally. Seasonally, the best months for wind are March–May and September–November. Water temperatures range from cold in winter (around single-digit °C) to warm enough for lighter suits in summer, and winter periods typically require a full wetsuit; the late summer and spring months often support shorter options.
- Large sandy beach with ample space for rigging and launching
- Frontal/westerly gradient wind pattern working well for N, SW and W
- Surf potential via multiple sandbars and shifting breaks
- Designated kitesurf zone compliance required; crowds in high season
- Very wide sandy beach with ample space for rigging and launching
- Works well with frontal winds from N, SW and W
- Multiple sandbars provide surf potential depending on tide/swell
- Choppy/rougher water and possible rip currents during certain conditions
- Can be very crowded and requires careful zone compliance
- Facilities are mainly available spring/summer; weather can be changeable
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, SW, W
- Wind Range
- 15–28 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal winds with westerly/gradient influence; best for kitesurfing with N, SW, and W.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 12–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Swell, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave energy reported; surf sets can hold up to around 4 m in some conditions.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Choppy/rough water noted; kitesurfing described as choppy in frontal conditions.
- Launch
- Big — Very wide sandy beach with ample space for rigging and launching, including during higher tides.
Through the year
Peak in May–September; less crowded in autumn/winter. Very busy on weekends and sunny summer days.
September–December usually cloudy/rainy; storm season active roughly October to March in the wider region.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A large-space North Sea kitesurfing spot with frontal/westerly winds and choppy conditions; best suited for freeride/freestyle and wave sessions when wind direction aligns (N, SW, W).
- Kite Sizes
- 12–14 m²
Reported suitable for bump and jump and wave sailing when swell picks up from the West or North.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Suitable for wingfoiling; initial launch can be challenging due to shore break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
3 sandbars can create multiple wave breaks; conditions can range from good/peeling to more mushy depending on swell and wind.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Surf works best with mid tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Conditions described as semi-sheltered in one source, but another describes the break as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Side-on wind is described as ideal; onshore winds can create significant chop and cross-shore winds can groom faces slightly.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to around 4 m in one description; another reports closes out when swell exceeds about 2.5 m.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality ranges from good to average depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — One description emphasizes peeling waves; another notes mushy waves typical for the Dutch beach break.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling with medium peel speed reported; sometimes described as mushy depending on conditions.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length reported as medium, with multiple breaks; another description notes short rides on shifting sandbars.
- Ride Length Details
- Multiple breaks with sandbars shifting; quick to medium rides depending on how the sandbars line up.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Noordwijkerhout (South Holland) in the full forecast view.
Noordwijkerhout (South Holland) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–29 ktsGusts 47 kts
- Direction
- WSW243°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2529 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–3.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 9–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Noordwijkerhout (South Holland) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–29 kts, peaking around 29 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 47 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.4–3.8 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
- Possible rip currents
- Choppy water
- Crowded zones
- Bins/poles/trees near the starting/landing area
- Wooden beach poles (groynes) along the coast sections
- Shore break
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited at the spot level, with KNRM sea rescue resources nearby in the region.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital in Noordwijk; coastguard available. Emergency number is 112; KNRM (sea rescue) station is located nearby in Noordwijk.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No strong localism indicated.
Rules of the spot
Stay in designated zones (including a dedicated kitesurf zone) and keep clear of swimming areas in front of the main pavilions/promenade.
- Kitesurfing allowed April 1st – October 1st
- Kitesurfing strictly permitted only within the designated kitesurf zone at Langevelderslag; stay clear of swimming areas.
- Mind designated zones; it can get very crowded in high season.
- Best at mid-tide for a mix of flatter sections and waves.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Leiden
- Nearest Town
- Noordwijkerhout
- Parking
- Free parking at the beach parking lot near Noordwijk (spot-level); also reported as a large paid parking lot at Langevelderslag with direct beach access (provider-level conflict).
- Access
- About 40 km southwest of Amsterdam; accessible via the Langevelderslag road leading directly to the coast from Noordwijkerhout.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Dutch
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hostels/hotels and multiple accommodation options in/around Noordwijkerhout and nearby Noordwijk.
- Food & Drink
- Nearby restaurants, bars, and beach pavilions; food and drinks available at/near beach pavilions.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available through local schools and shops; reported available.
- Gear Storage
- Several beach clubs offer seasonal locker/container storage for members/visitors (regional info).
- Gear Repair
- Repair services available in nearby Katwijk or Scheveningen (regional/provider info).
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 Noordwijkerhout (South Holland)?
The best overall months at Noordwijkerhout (South Holland) are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Noordwijkerhout (South Holland)?
Noordwijkerhout (South Holland) works with N, SW, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Noordwijkerhout (South Holland)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Noordwijkerhout (South Holland): Kitesurfing: 12–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–28 kts.
What skill level is Noordwijkerhout (South Holland) suitable for?
Noordwijkerhout (South Holland) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.