Camping tips right on the spot: Campsites for surfers in the Netherlands
Wild camping is prohibited in the Netherlands, and in such a densely populated country it is difficult enough to find secluded spots to spend the night anyway. Depending on the region, offences are punishable by hefty fines of up to 500 euros – the local campsites are considerably cheaper. Whilst on the open North Sea coast you’re inevitably restricted to areas behind the dykes and often have to walk long distances to reach the water, inland waters such as the IJsselmeer and Veluwemeer, in particular, offer excellent opportunities for camping right by the water’s edge. This is where beginners and those looking to improve their skills, as well as fans of flatwater and bump-and-jump, will really get their money’s worth.
Even more camping tips:
Ambitious surfers are probably best off heading a little further south in the Zeeland region (Spot 8, Veerse Meer) and the neighbouring Schouwen-Duiveland, but they’ll have no choice but to pop the car in the boot or at least hook up the bike trailer for a session at spots like Domburg or Ouddorp. As this special is exclusively about spots with direct access to the water, in the second part of our camping series we’ve focused on the best Dutch inland spots and are introducing you to some of the best places where you can simply leave your camper van and walk straight to the water with your board under your arm. This is just a selection, and perhaps you know of other spots that meet the ‘from bed to board’ criterion and are worth featuring in a future issue. If so, please feel free to send us your tips to: redaktion@surf-magazin.de
1. Makkum
53.0530, 5.3785
At the north-eastern tip of the IJsselmeer, Makkum offers a sheltered bay with a modern holiday atmosphere and a charming old town. Between the Beach Resort to the south and a headland to the north lies a bay divided into two sections by a long, walkable jetty. This is also where the large De Holle Poarte campsite is located, right next to the beach. The water remains knee-deep for a long way out – even around 100 metres beyond the tip of the pier – making it ideal for beginners, manoeuvre training, freestyle and slalom on flat water. Depending on the wind, the small, steep waves typical of the IJsselmeer also form on the offshore sandbanks. All westerly wind directions are suitable for surfing, whilst Molkwerum or Stavoren are the better choices when an offshore easterly wind is blowing. On warm summer days, it’s worth keeping an eye on the numerous swimmers. Evenings are perfect for a stroll along the promenade – once you’ve dipped your feet in the IJsselmeer, that holiday feeling really sets in. Makkum stands out somewhat from the rest of the east coast, with its hotels and holiday resorts rather than dykes and sheep; the old town, on the other hand, embodies a genuine fishing heritage with its winding alleys and distinctive gabled houses. Calm days are ideal for cycling or sailing trips to the historic neighbouring villages. And if you’ve still got energy left, the lively bars are the perfect spots for a sociable evening. Information: hollepoarte.nl/de
2. Workum
52.9666, 5.4117
The modern Soal Beach Resort, situated to the west of the small village of Workum, surrounded by a nature reserve, offers luxurious chalets and simple pitches on the ‘Surferfeld’ right by the spot – the IJsselmeer spot where even those using wave or seagrass fins can touch the bottom on sandbanks even far from the shore. So be careful! On the other hand, when the wind is from the west, the spot offers perfect conditions for all beginners and those moving up a level, who can safely cover their first few metres on a windsurf board here. However, you do need to keep an eye out for the kitesurfing lessons that also take place in the bay. Information: soalbeachresort.de
3. Hindeloopen
52.9340, 5.4035
‘Loopen’ means ‘to run’, and that’s exactly what it’s all about in Hindeloopen on the IJsselmeer. If you’re staying at Camping Hindeloopen, you won’t need to start your engine at all during your stay, and you’ll have direct access to the water – from the campsite, it’s just a short walk across the dyke. Along the surfing area, which is level with the campsite, wooden groynes extend some distance into the water, but even beyond that the water remains very shallow for a long way, with some very flat sandbanks and scattered stones in the water. The best wind directions here are south-west or north-west; with a light, onshore westerly wind, you’ll need to walk or tack a few metres to get past the very shallow area. About 200 metres north of the campsite is the area designated for kitesurfers; to the south, the shore is open to windsurfers. Info: campinghindeloopen.nl
4. Enkhuizen
52.7100, 5.2953
Many windsurfers are familiar with the eastern side of the IJsselmeer, with spots such as Makkum, Hindeloopen and so on – the less popular western side, on the other hand, is likely to be a new discovery for many. Consequently, there’s plenty of space on the water. When the wind blows onshore from the north-east in Enkhuizen, it’s amazing how quickly the notorious IJsselmeer swell builds up here too, creating ideal bump-and-jump conditions. For beginners and those looking to improve, conditions are best with a sideshore wind from the north-west or south-east to south, combined with flat water.
The standing area is relatively large, at 300 metres wide, and the seabed is sandy. Directly behind the small Enkhuizen beach, from which you set off, lies the large campsite, which is part of the Euro-Parcs chain and offers holiday homes as well as various pitches. Generally speaking, there’s a very relaxed atmosphere on and around the water, which is also reflected in the local villages – nothing here feels hectic or overcrowded. Information: europarcs.nl/holiday-parks/enkhuizer-strand
5. Nunspeet
52.3924, 5.7267
There is hardly any other area as well-suited to windsurfers as the region around Lake Veluwe. Stretched over just under 20 kilometres, there are several well-equipped surf schools where you can take lessons or hire surf gear; what’s more, the impressive Telstar Surfshop at the entrance to Strand Horst constantly tempts windsurfers with its extensive display of the latest kit. The spot near Nunspeet offers conditions similar to those at the main spot, Strand Horst near Harderwijk – mostly hip-deep flat water where beginners and freestyle experts alike can hone their manoeuvres. With long fins, it’s best to start a little further out, but once you’re there, there’s plenty of space for long runs and manoeuvres. Westerly winds are ideal. North-westerly winds coming across the IJsselmeer are generally more consistent and reliable than south-westerly winds, which travel further over land before reaching the Veluwemeer. High-pressure systems with a north-easterly flow are less common, but they can provide excellent summer conditions. During the summer months, however, seaweed can dampen the surfing fun somewhat. It therefore makes sense to pack a suitable fin for the Veluwemeer, especially as it could save you from the odd tumble due to the shallow water near the shore.
Right in front of Camping De Oude Pol, you can walk into the water via a small sandy beach to the left of the little harbour. There is a very wide choice of campsites and holiday parks by the water along this stretch of the Veluwemeer. Other options include Camping Polsmaten or the large EuroParc Bad Hoophuizen, situated a little further south. At the eastern end of Harderwijk, easily recognisable by its blue dome, lies the Dolfinarium, a large leisure park whose main attraction – trained dolphins – is somewhat controversial. The lively town of Harderwijk, with its old buildings and long shopping streets, is definitely worth a visit. On a calm day, the journey to Amsterdam’s beautiful city centre takes only about an hour. Information: deoudepol.nl
6. Flevostrand Veluwemeer
52.3831, 5.6310
The north side of the Veluwemeer also offers good surfing opportunities; the conditions are essentially no different from those at the spots on the south side. Here, too, there is excellent flat water. One advantage may be that winds from the east to the south pass through much more freely here. Conversely, when there’s a westerly or north-westerly wind, you’re out of luck – these winds come over land and are therefore quite gusty. Flevostrand, opposite Harderwijk, may not offer as large a standing area as other spots on Lake Veluwe, but it does feature the fully equipped Molecaten Park with camping facilities right by the spot. Surfers with long fins, families and those capable of a water start are in the right place here: a swimming pool, mini-golf, tennis court, supermarket and the surf spot are right on your doorstep, offering the perfect conditions for a stress-free holiday. For beginners and young people, the Veluwemeer Surf Camp – also on the north side, a little further east – is a great place to go. Info: molecaten.nl/flevostrand
7. Nulde Beach
52.2726, 5.5372
An excellent alternative to the famous Harderwijk – and one that even offers camping right by the water. Whilst at its big brother, Strand Horst – situated about five kilometres further north – there’s no chance of jumping straight from your bed onto your board, Strandparc Nulde is sure to set campers’ hearts racing: You can pitch your tent or park your motorhome less than ten metres from the water. The Veluwemeer is considerably narrower here, however (essentially a canal about 500 metres wide), and the wind is correspondingly more gusty. South-westerly and north-easterly winds work best.
After a stretch of standing water near the shore, further out in the shipping channel you’ll even encounter a few choppy waves in front of the bow that are perfect for jumping. Caution: Watch out for boats! Information: vdbholiday.com/nl/recreation/strandparc-nulde
8. Lake Veere
51.5688, 3.6569
The Veerse Meer in Zeeland, south of the famous Brouwersdams, is a spot that many Dutch surfers don’t even have on their radar. Camping Schotsman is situated right on the water’s edge here and offers good conditions for all wind directions, from south-east to north-west. Particularly during the peak season, the Veerse Meer is a welcome alternative to the overcrowded Grevelingenmeer, where camping at the spot on the infamous Kabbelaarsbank is prohibited anyway. As soon as the north-westerly wind picks up, a controlled chop forms in front of Camping Schotsman, which is ideal for jump manoeuvres yet remains organised enough that you can still really push yourself. The groynes, which extend up to 20 metres into the water, are perfect for gliding jibes or freestyle manoeuvres on glassy water right by the beach.
The campsite has all the facilities you could need. Should a rope snap during a session, the Thijs Windsurfing School and its shop are right on the spot to help you get back on the water quickly. Funnily enough, the local village is called Kamperland, but this has nothing to do with the excellent camping facilities in the area; instead, the name is derived from the Latin word ‘campus’, meaning ‘field’ or ‘fenced-in land’. Another plus point is its proximity to the top Dutch wave spot, Domburg, which can be reached in under half an hour by car. Info: rcn.nl/en/holiday-parks/holland/zeeland/rcn-de-schotsman
Julian Wiemar
Editor surf