Wardt (Xantener Nordsee)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Wardt at Xantener Nordsee is an inland-lake wind spot near Xanten, known for easy access and a large grassy meadow that’s used for rigging and launching. The spot features shallow water downwind of the jetty near the entry/near-shore area, so riders should plan for a bit of extra attention during takeoff, landing, and any upwind/downwind repositioning close to the structure. Wind is most reliably associated with West to Southwest directions, and local guidance emphasizes West/Southwest as the cleanest and most consistent directions. Providers disagree on the exact wind driver (some describe thermal influence, while the regional baseline emphasizes predominantly frontal weather-system winds), but both perspectives align on a strong W/SW tendency during the main season. Windsurfing is the primary use: it’s geared toward freeride and freestyle, with wingfoiling also reported as feasible thanks to deeper water available outside designated swimming areas. Conditions can range from flat to some chop depending on the weather pattern, and there can be moderate gustiness at times—especially when winds come in from the East/North-East due to nearby trees and buildings. For safety and access, a valid Surfschein and a lake day ticket/usage fee are required. Windsurfing is restricted to the designated Surfrevier in the Wardt section, while kitesurfing is strictly prohibited on the entire lake. Hazards include shallow water and submerged rocks near the jetty, boat traffic (excursion/ferry routes) and swimmers in marked zones; rescue is reported as limited, with emergency support available via 112.
- Large meadow for rigging and launching
- Paid parking plus toilets and showers
- Storage/lockers for surf equipment
- West/Southwest winds are best for clean, consistent riding
- Windsurfing restricted to designated Surfrevier; kitesurfing prohibited
- Large grassy rigging meadow with easy launch.
- Good infrastructure: paid parking, toilets, showers, and storage/lockers for surf equipment.
- West to Southwest wind is favored for cleaner, more consistent riding; suitable for freeride and freestyle.
- Kitesurfing is strictly prohibited on the entire lake/area.
- Shallow water and submerged hazards near the jetty require careful navigation.
- Winds are weather-system-driven; reliability varies by conditions and frontal weather.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, SW
- No-go directions
- E, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider data conflicts on wind mechanism (thermal vs frontal). Regional baseline describes predominantly frontal W/SW winds; spot-level data also reports SW–W winds.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Perplexity reports steady winds; Gemini reports moderate gusts. Regional baseline is broadly consistent with weather-system-driven variability.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Wind from the East or North-East can be gusty and shadowed due to trees and local buildings near the shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Beach/shore composition reported as sand by one provider; pebble/mixed is also reported by another—entry/shore may vary.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Wave conditions reported as flat; some sources describe flat to choppy water.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Providers conflict on water state (flat vs chop). Regional/spot descriptions indicate mostly manageable chop/flat conditions in typical use.
- Launch
- Big — Large grassy meadow for rigging/launching adjacent to parking and water; shallow water downwind of the jetty.
Through the year
Can be crowded on sunny, windy weekends during summer due to day-trippers from nearby regions.
Rain possible year-round; stronger storms more frequent in autumn and winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Freeride and freestyle spot with a large meadow for rigging and launching, paid facilities, and shallow water downwind of the jetty. Primarily valued for windsurfing with relatively accessible conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Foils are possible outside the swimming areas; deeper water is available beyond the immediate entry zone.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly per spot-level data; deeper water exists outside designated zones.
- Min Depth
- Approximately 1.5 meters beyond the immediate entry zone
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Wardt (Xantener Nordsee) in the full forecast view.
Wardt (Xantener Nordsee) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–20 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- SW224°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2520 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- 6–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Wardt (Xantener Nordsee) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. 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
- Shallow water downwind of the jetty
- Submerged rocks near the jetty
- Excursion boat traffic
- Swimmers in designated zones (stay clear of swimming areas)
- Wind-driven drift can occur even though the lake is enclosed
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported; DLRG safety monitoring during official season (April to October) at the regional level.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services via 112. Harbor office can assist during operational hours (during operation).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues reported for this spot.
Rules of the spot
Access requires a valid Surfschein / day ticket for lake access. Windsurfing is restricted to the designated 'Surfrevier' in the Wardt section. Kitesurfing is prohibited on the entire lake.
- Valid Surfschein required for access
- Fee for lake usage / day ticket required
- Windsurfing restricted to the designated Surfrevier in the Wardt section
- Kitesurfing prohibited on the entire lake
- Stay clear of ferry/boat routes
- Best wind directions are West and Southwest for clean, consistent conditions.
- Bring a valid Surfschein to access the lake.
- Pay for parking and lake ticket at the automated terminals or harbor office before heading to the water.
- West wind is the cleanest and most consistent direction for this spot.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Xanten
- Nearest Town
- Xanten
- Nearest Airport
- Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) and Airport Weeze (NRN)
- Parking
- Paid parking available (multiple sources note ample paid parking directly at/near the surf meadow).
- Public Transport
- Accessible via regional train (RB31/RE44) to Xanten station, with local bus connections and cycling paths to the water.
- Access
- Drive A57 to Alpen exit, then B57/B58 towards Xanten. Follow signs to Nordsee/Freizeitzentrum. Cross the canal connecting Nord- and Südsee, then head to Hafen Wardt on the Südufer of Xantener Nordsee.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and youth-hostel options are in the immediate vicinity of the lake; additional options in/near Xanten.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurant and snack options at/near the adjacent harbor and leisure center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental for windsurfing boards/sails and also SUP; wingfoiling and other services available via watersports center.
- Gear Storage
- Paid/seasonal storage possibility for surf equipment (lockers/storage racks for regular users).
- Gear Repair
- Basic on-site help may exist; specialized repairs may require visiting shops in the Ruhr area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The nearby Xanten area combines Roman-era heritage with modern leisure activities and family-friendly lake/beach facilities.
Themed miniature golf course located near the Südsee.
Germany's largest archaeological open-air museum, built on the site of the Roman city Colonia Ulpia Traiana.
A significant Romanesque-Gothic cathedral known for its art and history.
Harborside restaurant and bar serving regional and international cuisine with water views.
Large beach area with inflatable water park and safe swimming zones.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Wardt (Xantener Nordsee)?
The best overall months at Wardt (Xantener Nordsee) are May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Wardt (Xantener Nordsee)?
Wardt (Xantener Nordsee) works with W, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, SW. No-go directions are E, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Wardt (Xantener Nordsee)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Wardt (Xantener Nordsee): Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Wardt (Xantener Nordsee) suitable for?
Wardt (Xantener Nordsee) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner.