Kitespot guide – Dutch Islands

Summary: Flatwater spot in a unique Wadden landscape. Perfect for freestyle and cruising in a quiet, natural environment.

Wind directions: W / NW / SW (E also possible, but beware of strong currents).

Level: Beginner to advanced (depending on the tide).

Key considerations: Unpaved access road, shallow areas and mussel beds at low tide. Good footwear recommended.

Launching & landing: No wide beach; launching from a narrow grass dike. Often useful to ask locals for assistance.

Tide: The spot is highly tide-dependent. At high tide there’s enough water to ride, but at low tide sandbanks and mussel beds are exposed → unsuitable/dangerous. Best sessions are around high tide and ±2 hours before/after.

Crowds / community: Usually quiet; small but close-knit Texel community. Gets busier in summer with tourists and kiters from the mainland.

Summary: Rough North Sea spot with wide sandy beaches and often powerful waves. Perfect for wave riders and kiters who love power and space.

Wind directions: N / NW / NE / W (any wind coming from the sea works well).

Level: Advanced (due to waves, currents and shorebreak). Beginners only in very calm conditions.

Key considerations: Strong currents during rising and falling tide, heavy shorebreak and powerful waves. Watch out for shipping lanes leading to the Wadden Sea.

Launching & landing: Wide sandy beach with plenty of space. In strong winds, watch out for flying lines and beach crowds during summer.

Tide: Currents and wave size are highly tide-dependent. During rising tide the current can pull strongly towards the Wadden Sea. Best conditions are often around high tide.

Crowds / community: Well-known wave spot for kiters. Popular with Texel locals and regular visitors; in summer also busy with tourists and beachgoers.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Wide North Sea spot with heavy shorebreak and plenty of space. Perfect for wave kiters and riders who enjoy challenging conditions.

Wind directions: W / NW / N (all sea winds work well).

Level: Advanced (due to waves, currents and shorebreak).

Key considerations: Strong currents, big waves in 20+ knots. Watch out for swimmers in summer.

Launching & landing: Wide sandy beach with plenty of room to safely launch and land.

Tide: Currents and wave size strongly depend on the tide. Best conditions often around mid to high tide.

Crowds / community: Quieter than Vuurtoren or Paal 17, making it a favorite among locals. Some beach tourism in summer, but kite zone itself often stays calm.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: The most popular kitespot on Texel with wide sandy beaches, lively beach clubs and a vibrant atmosphere. A mix of freeride and wave conditions.

Wind directions: W / NW / N (best direction: NW).

Level: Suitable for intermediate to advanced kiters. Beginners only in calm conditions.

Key considerations: Can be busy in summer with swimmers and surfers. Strong currents and shorebreak require experience.

Launching & landing: Wide sandy beach with good facilities (parking, beach clubs). Plenty of space for launching and landing, but pay attention to crowds in high season.

Tide: Currents and wave size depend on tide. At high tide, shorter wave sections; at low tide, longer lines but stronger currents.

Crowds / community: The largest kitespot on Texel with a lively community. Often busy with kiters and tourists, especially in summer.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Endless beaches and raw nature make this a unique and rugged kitespot. Perfect for wave riders and kiters looking for peace and space, far away from the crowds.

Wind directions: W / NW / N / NE (all sea wind directions).

Level: Advanced (due to waves, currents, and remote location). Beginners only in very calm conditions.

Key considerations: Remote island → no quick access to rescue services or shops. Strong currents, heavy shorebreak and sometimes tricky sandbanks.

Launching & landing: Very wide sandy beach, plenty of space, but no facilities like on Texel or the mainland.

Tide: Currents and wave height depend on tide. Incoming tide creates strong longshore current. Best conditions often around mid- to high tide.

Kite zone: Kitesurfing is allowed along almost the entire North Sea coast of Vlieland, from Paal 12 to Paal 50, except for the busy bathing beaches near Oost-Vlieland village (summer season).

Crowds / community: Extremely quiet, hardly any kiters compared to Texel or Ameland. Small local community; most of the time you’ll be out with just a handful of others – or alone.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Unique spot on the Wadden Sea side of Terschelling, with flat water and stunning views over the sandbanks. Perfect for freestyle or cruising in a natural setting.

Wind directions: S / SW / W (E also possible, but gusty due to the dunes).

Level: Beginner to advanced (flat water, but strongly tide-dependent).

Key considerations: Very tide-dependent, sandbanks dry out at low tide. Watch out for shell banks and soft mudflats. Good footwear is recommended.

Launching & landing: Narrow grassy dike with limited space; often useful to ask locals for help with launching/landing.

Tide: Best conditions around high tide and ±2 hours on either side. At low tide the area is hardly rideable or unsafe due to exposed sandbanks.

Kite zone: Kiting is allowed on the Groene Strand, but respect nature regulations → some zones may be closed during bird nesting season or due to conservation rules.

Crowds / community: Usually quiet, with a small but passionate local kitesurf community. In summer you’ll see a few more kiters and tourists.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Wide, endless beaches with strong surf make this an ideal spot for wave kiters. Pure nature and lots of space – a completely different vibe compared to the crowded North Sea kitesurf spots on the mainland.

Wind directions: W / NW / N / NE (all sea wind directions).

Level: Advanced (waves, currents, strong wind). Beginners only recommended in calmer conditions.

Key points: Strong currents along the coastline, especially during incoming or outgoing tide. Waves can be big and powerful. Remote island → no quick rescue services or kitesurf facilities available.

Launching & landing: Very wide beach with plenty of space. In summer, be aware of beachgoers near West aan Zee.

Tide: Conditions change significantly with the tide. At low tide, large sandbanks appear – creating long wave lines but also dangerous currents. Best conditions are usually mid- to high tide.

Kite zone: Kitesurfing is allowed along almost the entire North Sea coast of Terschelling, except for the guarded beaches at West aan Zee and directly at Midsland aan Zee during the high season.

Crowds / community: Generally quiet, with a small but dedicated local scene. In summer, it gets a bit busier at the main beach entrances, but most of the time you’ll have the water to yourself.

Summary: Flatwater kitesurf spot on the Wadden Sea side of Ameland. Perfect for freestyle sessions and practicing in relatively sheltered waters, with stunning views over sandbanks and salt marshes.

Wind directions: S / SW / W (E is also possible, but often gusty due to the dike and nearby buildings).

Level: From beginner to advanced (flat water, but tidal knowledge required).

Key points: Highly tide-dependent; sandbanks and mussel beds dry out at low tide. Good footwear recommended. Access can be tricky due to narrow dike crossings.

Launching & landing: Usually from narrow grassy dikes or small beaches. Limited space → it’s often wise to ask for assistance when launching or landing your kite.

Tide: Best conditions around high tide and approx. 2 hours before/after. At low tide the spot is often not rideable or unsafe due to exposed sandbanks.

Kite zone: Kitesurfing is allowed on certain parts of the Wadden Sea side, but always check local regulations → some bird nesting areas are off-limits during breeding season.

Crowds / community: Generally very quiet; there’s a small local kite community on Ameland. In summer a few visitors from the mainland show up, but it never gets crowded.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Wide beaches and powerful surf make this a challenging yet stunning wave spot. Perfect for kitesurfers who love rough North Sea conditions and endless space.

Wind directions: W / NW / N / NE (all sea wind directions work well).

Level: Advanced (waves, currents, and strong winds). Beginners only in very calm conditions.

Key points: Strong currents during rising and falling tide, heavy surf in winds of force 5+. Remote location → limited facilities and no quick rescue services.

Launching & landing: Huge beaches with plenty of room for safe launching and landing. At the larger beach entrances (Hollum, Nes, Buren) be mindful of swimmers and beachgoers in summer.

Tide: Currents and wave height are strongly tide-dependent. At low tide, sandbanks create long wave lines but also dangerous currents. Best conditions usually mid- to high tide.

Kite zone: Kitesurfing is allowed along almost the entire North Sea coast of Ameland, except for the guarded beaches near the villages during high season.

Crowds / community: Quieter than Texel or Terschelling. Small local scene with a handful of regular visitors. Even on busy summer days with more beach tourism, kiters will almost always find plenty of space.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Exceptionally wide beaches and pure nature. A perfect kitesurfing spot for wave riders who love peace, space, and challenging North Sea conditions.

Wind directions: W / NW / N / NE (all sea wind directions).

Level: Advanced (waves, currents, isolated location). Beginners only in very calm conditions.

Key points: Strong currents, heavy surf, and tricky sandbanks. Remote island → no kitesurf facilities and limited emergency services.

Launching & landing: Huge beaches with endless space, even in summer. No facilities directly on the beach.

Tide: Currents and waves vary strongly with the tide. At low tide, long sandbanks appear with beautiful wave lines, but also dangerous currents. Best conditions usually mid- to high tide.

Kite zone: Kitesurfing is allowed along almost the entire North Sea coast, except at the guarded beaches near the village during high season.

Crowds / community: One of the quietest North Sea kitesurf spots in the Netherlands. Small local community, almost never crowded.