Netherlands: characteristic landscape — Illustrative image

kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spots in Netherlands

A flat, wind-swept country where water is everywhere: relative to its size, the Netherlands is one of the most active board sports nations in the world, and no country packs so many different kinds of water into so few kilometres.

217 spots listed, across 12 regions. Rideable days are computed from two full years of readings (2024 and 2025), spot by spot.

Netherlands: an overview

A country built against the water, and for it

In the Netherlands, riding is not a holiday sport, it is an everyday one. You park behind the dune after work, ride for an hour and go home for dinner. Windsurfing took off here early on, and kitesurfing and wing foiling found a huge audience in this flat, windy, densely populated country.

That density has a consequence: nothing is improvised. Kiting is banned in principle, except where it is explicitly allowed. Rider associations have negotiated, spot by spot, marked riding zones, hours and access. The result is one of the most organised systems in Europe, and the best way for thousands of riders to share the coast with swimmers and nature.

The sea, the dams and the lakes

The Dutch riding landscape has largely been shaped by people. The great Delta Works in Zeeland closed off sea inlets and created flat-water lakes right next to the North Sea. The great northern dyke turned a gulf into the IJsselmeer, a vast, shallow freshwater lake. Within minutes, you can go from a wave beach to perfectly smooth water.

The coast itself unrolls dozens of kilometres of dune-backed sandy beaches, punctuated by groynes, dykes and lighthouses. Tides, currents near the piers and the shore break make it a sea to respect.

The best regions

Zeeland

The southwest, carved up by the Delta Works. North Sea beaches, flat-water lakes behind the dams and small seaside towns. The most complete region in the country.

South Holland

From Ouddorp to the port of Rotterdam and the beaches of The Hague. Busy spots, urban or industrial, within reach of millions of people.

The North Holland coast

Long dune-backed beaches from Zandvoort to Egmond. The playground of Amsterdam's riders, with waves as soon as the sea picks up.

The Frisian Islands

Texel and its neighbours, between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea. Big beaches, protected nature and an island atmosphere far from the mainland bustle.

The IJsselmeer and Friesland

A huge, shallow freshwater lake closed off by the great dyke. Flat water, space and spots renowned for freestyle and learning.

By region

The spots not to miss

Domburg (Zeeland)

Zeeland

A seaside resort at the foot of the dunes, facing the North Sea. A wide beach, a holiday atmosphere and small waves, in one of the sunniest regions in the country.
De Schotsman, Veerse Meer (Zeeland)

Zeeland

A calm lake enclosed by the Delta Works. Flat, reassuring water, perfect for learning or getting started on a wing foil.
Brouwersdam (Zeeland)

Zuid-Holland

The most famous spot in the country. A dam between the North Sea and Lake Grevelingen: waves on one side, flat water on the other. You pick your session by crossing the road.
Ouddorp (South Holland)

Hollande-Méridionale

Just north of the Brouwersdam, a long dune-backed beach, quieter than its neighbour. Ideal for a North Sea session away from the crowds.
De Slufter, Maasvlakte (South Holland)

South Holland

A beach reclaimed from the sea at the far end of the port of Rotterdam. Container ships on the horizon, wide open space and an industrial atmosphere found nowhere else.
Scheveningen (South Holland)

Not found

The Hague's beach, with its pier and lively seafront. An urban, busy spot where you ride with the city a few metres away.
Zandvoort (North Holland)

Noord-Holland

Amsterdam's beach, half an hour from the city. Long, lively and backed by dunes: a North Sea session within train reach.
Wijk aan Zee (North Holland)

Noord-Holland

A dune beach next to the IJmuiden piers, with the steelworks in the background. One of the most renowned wave spots in the country, and a setting like no other.
Egmond aan Zee (North Holland)

Noord-Holland

A seaside village, a lighthouse, protected dunes and a long beach. More peaceful than the beaches near Amsterdam, with good sea conditions.
Texel (Frisian Islands)

Noord-Holland

The largest Wadden island, its beaches marked by numbered posts and its dunes stretching to the horizon. Nature, space and an island feel, one ferry crossing from the mainland.
Kornwerderzand, IJsselmeer (Friesland)

Not found

On the great dyke, between the Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer. An almost unreal place: a road in the middle of the water, with a sea on either side.
Workum, IJsselmeer (Friesland)

Friesland

A flat, shallow shore on the Frisian side of the lake. Smooth water, steady wind and great tranquillity: one of the best freestyle and learning spots in the country.

When to ride

2024-2025 average

Rideable days per month, averaged over the 2024-2025 readings, spot by spot. Regions are ordered by number of spots; the grey figure is that count. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Region	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Noord-Holland 44	21	18	18	21	23	23	23	22	19	18	17	19
Hollande-Méridionale 21	23	20	20	25	24	28	27	26	22	21	20	21
Hollande-Septentrionale 20	23	20	19	23	25	26	25	23	21	20	19	21
Zuid-Holland 20	22	18	16	22	23	26	25	24	19	19	18	19
Friesland 19	23	18	21	22	23	26	25	23	20	20	18	20
Zeeland 18	21	18	18	21	23	25	26	24	20	18	18	18
Frise 15	23	19	22	22	22	26	25	23	20	21	18	20
Zélande 13	20	17	16	20	22	25	25	23	19	16	16	17

The windiest spots

2024-2025 average

Spot	Region	Rideable days
Razende Bol	Hollande-Septentrionale	356 d/yr
Trintelhaven / Ijsselmeer	Flevoland	354 d/yr
Boca Paard	Noord-Holland	343 d/yr
Moddergat	Friesland	340 d/yr
Oostmahorn	Frise	337 d/yr
Zandmotor	Hollande-Méridionale	334 d/yr
Lutjesstrand / Amstelmeer	Noord-Holland	330 d/yr
Lutjesstrand Kitebeach / Amstelmeer	Hollande-Septentrionale	330 d/yr
T Hekje	Hollande-Méridionale	329 d/yr
Freddy’s Yard	Noord-Holland	320 d/yr

Average rideable days per year, computed from 2024-2025 readings. A day counts as rideable when it has at least two consecutive hours of wind at 7 knots or more, blowing from a direction that works for the spot.

Good to know

Kite zones: kiting is banned except where it is allowed. Zones are marked, often with yellow buoys, and listed on the national kitesurfing association's spot map.
Bathing season: in summer, many beaches restrict kiting during the day to protect swimming areas.
Tides and piers: currents speed up along dykes, groynes and piers. Never ride too close to the structures.
Ports and shipping: around Rotterdam and IJmuiden, shipping traffic means staying within the designated zones.
Protected nature: the Wadden Sea and many dune areas are protected; some periods and sectors are closed to riding.
Wetsuit: the North Sea stays cold almost all year.