Overview

Petten is a quiet, uncrowded kitesurf spot on the Noord-Holland North Sea coast, north of Alkmaar and south of Den Helder. The beach was recently reinforced with fresh sand to protect the dunes — the result is a beautiful, wide and almost always empty stretch that feels like a well-kept secret. Wave quality here attracts surfers as well as kiters.

Conditions at Petten are tide-dependent: at low tide, exposed sandbanks create standing areas in shallower water, making it accessible to beginners learning in controlled conditions. At high tide the water deepens and waves pick up. There is approx. 150m of shallower water off the sandbank before it drops away. Between the waves, relatively flat water pockets can be found — great for beginners and freestylers alike. Wave riders will find some of the better North Sea swell on this stretch of coast.

South wind is slightly muted here compared to surrounding areas — an advantage in extreme conditions. Like the rest of the Noord-Holland coast, strong currents are broken up by groynes. The village is framed by a beautiful dune landscape with freshwater lakes, though some industrial facilities are also nearby (nuclear plant at Camperduin). VDWS-certified kitesurf school AllYouCanSurf operates from this beach.

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Spot forecast for petten

Sunrise 08:16 · Sunset 18:35

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Next tides

High tide Tue 20 · 11:39 · 1.8 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 13:30 · 1.5 m
High tide Tue 20 · 14:52 · 1.6 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 18:15 · 0.7 m

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

petten: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

331h

in July · 25 rideable days

The season runs from May to August, peaking in July: 24 rideable days a month and 331 hours of usable wind, at 19 °C. The low point is March, at 15.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 59%13-20 knots · 35%21-30 knots · 5%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 59% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 6 °C. The wettest month is November, with 169 mm.

Monthly averages: petten

Monthly averages — petten — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	25.5	214 h	6 °C	100 mm
February	17.5	178 h	8 °C	100 mm
March	15.5	172 h	10 °C	30 mm
April	19.5	226 h	13 °C	53 mm
May	21.0	252 h	17 °C	89 mm
June	23.0	345 h	18 °C	78 mm
July	25.0	331 h	20 °C	74 mm
August	25.0	250 h	21 °C	46 mm
September	18.5	196 h	18 °C	146 mm
October	19.5	204 h	14 °C	123 mm
November	19.5	163 h	10 °C	169 mm
December	20.0	181 h	7 °C	75 mm

Photo gallery of petten

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Technical details of petten spot

The spot works with winds from N, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Local association recommendations

AllYouCanSurf — VDWS-certified kitesurf school operating directly from Petten beach. Lessons for beginners and advanced riders.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

Parking

Best parking at Strandslag Abbestee, Petten. Free parking with direct beach access.

Wind specificities

Predominantly SW to NW winds along the Noord-Holland coast. South wind arrives slightly reduced compared to neighbouring spots, which can be advantageous in strong conditions. Wind is consistent and non-gusty as it arrives directly off the North Sea with no upwind obstacles. Best season: autumn–spring with depressions bringing strong SW winds. Summer is lighter but sea breezes possible.

Hazards

⚠️ Currents: strong tidal currents typical of the Noord-Holland coast, broken by groynes. At high tide groynes may be partially submerged — watch carefully.

⚠️ Sandbank: approximately 150m offshore there is a shallow sandbank below water at high tide — can cause abrupt ground impact.

⚠️ Intermediate level: recommended for intermediate riders due to shorebreak, currents and choppy-to-medium waves. Beginners: low tide sessions only in the shallower standing areas.

⚠️ East wind: offshore on this spot — never launch with easterly winds.

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Additional stations

DE KOOY VK18.7 km

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DE KOOIJ VK18.7 km

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Nearby spots

All spots: Hollande-Septentrionale

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petten kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot