6 km
Petten aan Zee beach
Petten’s beach is a surprisingly recent addition to the coastline. Until 2016, the sea came right up to the dyke. Then, as part of a major coastal protection project, tens of millions of cubic metres of sand were added in front of the old Hondsbossche Zeewering, creating more than seven kilometres of new coastline stretching all the way to Camperduin.
Today, Petten has one of the widest and most peaceful beaches in North Holland.
How to get there
From Strand49, Petten is around half an hour away by bike, following the cycle path through the dunes along the coast. It’s one of the most scenic rides in the area, with the Pettemerduinen stretching alongside the route. Don’t have a bike with you? You can hire a bike, e-bike or beach trolley from us.
If you’re travelling by car, you can park for free along Strandweg or Korfwaterweg. Petten tends to be quieter than the better-known seaside resorts nearby, so finding a space is usually straightforward, even on a sunny day. More practical information is available on petten-aan-zee.nl. During the summer season, the Kustbus also stops in Petten, with connections from Den Helder station. There are two landmarks that make Petten especially memorable. Palendorp is a striking artwork and memorial made from wooden posts on the beach, marking the site of a village that was lost to the sea long ago. At high tide, some of the posts stand surrounded by water, making this one of the most distinctive sights along the coast. The nearest beach entrance is by Bergeendstraat. Uitkijkduin is a 26-metre-high dune created as a viewpoint during the coastal protection project. From the top, you can take in the sea, dunes, dyke and polder in a single sweeping view. It’s an especially lovely spot around sunset.What makes this beach special
Beach pavilions
Facilities and safety
Petten is well equipped for a day at the beach, with lifeguards, places to eat and drink, first aid facilities, litter bins and bicycle parking. It has once again been awarded Blue Flag status, an international mark of quality for clean bathing water, safety and good beach facilities. Water quality is regularly monitored by the Municipality of Schagen and is generally rated as good.
With such a long, wide stretch of beach, there’s also plenty of space for activities such as horse riding and kitesurfing. With its long, open stretch of sand, Petten is a wonderful beach for a walk with your dog. From 1 October to 1 April, dogs are free to explore off the lead all day. During the rest of the year, they need to be kept on a lead between 9 am and 7 pm, but can be let off again in the evening. Just south of Petten, Korfwater has a designated off-lead area where dogs are welcome to run free all year round. At the southern end of the beach, the Hondsbossche Zeewering begins. Thanks to the new stretch of coastline created during the coastal protection project, you can now continue walking along the beach all the way to Hargen, making it perfect for a long walk by the sea.Visiting with your dog
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