Scheveningen Noord is probably the most well-known surf spot in the Netherlands. Located next to the large harbour wall, this beach is busy year-round with all types of water users. Even when the waves are tiny, expect a crowd. There’s a bit of a local scene, but it’s more isolated than aggressive. In summer, it gets hectic both in the water and on land, with metered parking and lots of beach activity.

The wave breaks over sand and lines up between small jetties. The big harbour wall offers protection from southwest winds and creates a handy paddling channel. The waves are consistent and break on all tides, though they’re best on a high tide with a northwest swell. That said, it breaks on just about every swell direction from southwest to north. Waves can be a bit lacking in power and tend to close out, so longboarders often get the best rides. You’ll find both lefts and rights depending on the bank.

Scheveningen Noord works best with offshore or light southeast winds, and it can handle a wide range of wind directions. The spot is surfable on high, mid, and low tides, but a rising tide usually gives you better shape. High tide is the best bet overall, especially with a north swell lining up.

It’s beginner-friendly, but be aware that the crowd factor is high—especially when the waves are good. The jetties can be sketchy at high tide when they’re partly submerged, so keep an eye out.

Access is straightforward with direct beach entry, but finding parking can be a pain, especially in summer. There’s a webcam if you want to check conditions before heading out.