Camperduin
Photos from Google
The Hondsbossche Zeewering ends here and gives way to an engineered beach with a lagoon behind it. That sets Camperduin apart from most North Holland seaside resorts: over the past few years the beach has been widened with sand as part of the coastal reinforcement, so the old dyke now sits behind a broad expanse of sand.
Camperduin falls under the municipality of Bergen. It lies between Schoorl aan Zee, 1.5 kilometres away, and Petten, almost 5 kilometres away. Bergen itself is around 7 kilometres away. The nearest station is Alkmaar, just over 12 kilometres away.
The name refers to the old hamlet of Camp, which once lay further to the west and was swallowed by the sea over the centuries. That past shapes the character of this coast: here the struggle against the water is still visible in the high dyke and the new sand replenishments.
In terms of facilities, things are straightforward. There is one beach club, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. This pavilion serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, which means it is open all day for anyone who wants to eat by the sea. The place is described as relaxed and lively at once, with a well-kept interior.
Beside the North Sea beach lies the Camperduin lagoon, a lake separated from the sea by a row of dunes. The water in the lagoon is calmer than the sea and is used for swimming and small-scale watersports, among other things. For families with young children that is a practical difference: the surf on one side, calm inland water on the other.
The hinterland consists of the Schoorl dune area, with the highest and widest dunes in the Netherlands. Walking and cycling routes lead from the beach into the dunes, towards Schoorl and Bergen. Anyone after more bustle and places to eat will find them in the nearby towns; Camperduin itself remains small in scale.
You can park within walking distance of the beach, partly for a fee. The exact rates and locations are listed in the parking overview on this page. By public transport Camperduin is less easy to reach than resorts with their own station; travellers change in Alkmaar for the bus.
Camperduin suits anyone who wants a broad beach without the crowds of the larger coastal towns, with the lagoon as an extra option and the dune area right behind the dyke.
Great for
The beach here is broad thanks to sand replenishment and slopes gently. Beside the North Sea lies the lagoon with calmer water, which is handy for children who prefer to play in still water. The beach club is family-friendly and serves food all day, so a long afternoon on the beach with children stays easy to manage.
Whether and when dogs are allowed on the beach varies by municipality and often changes with the season. Camperduin falls under the municipality of Bergen. It is best to check the exact, current dog rules with the municipality before you head to the beach with your dog.
The only beach club serves in the evening too and has a well-kept interior, described as luxurious. From the terrace you look out over the North Sea. With just one pavilion, booking is advisable in high season, certainly for a table at sunset.
During the day you can come here for lunch, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. The beach runs straight up to the pavilion. After lunch you can walk straight into the Schoorl dune area or along the lagoon.
The beach club has space for groups and is suitable for a corporate outing. Its setting against the dune area makes activities such as walking or cycling nearby possible. Because the kitchen is open all day, you can combine programmes with breakfast, lunch or dinner.
In rain or wind the pavilion offers an indoor space with a view of the sea. The kitchen runs all day. Nearby are the Schoorl dune area and the towns of Schoorl, Bergen and Petten for an alternative programme.
In the summer months the broad beach of Camperduin draws day trippers from the region along with guests from the campsites and holiday parks around Schoorl and Bergen. The lagoon then helps spread visitors out, as some of them head for the calmer inland water.
The single beach club is busiest in high season; booking for dinner is wise then. On sunny summer days the access points and car parks can fill up, especially in the afternoon.
Out of season it quickly becomes quiet here. The Schoorl dune area stays accessible to walkers and cyclists all year round, and the high dunes offer shelter in the hinterland even in strong winds.
In spring and autumn Camperduin is popular above all with walkers who combine the dyke and the dunes. The mix of North Sea, lagoon and dunes makes it interesting outside summer too. For current events and the beach club's opening hours, it is best to consult the pavilion's own information in advance.
Parking
2 marked as paid, 8 with no fee info. Tap a pin for the name and directions.
Parking payment details come from OpenStreetMap and may be incomplete. Please check locally.
Nearby seaside resorts
Last updated: 23 June 2026