Camperduin Strand

Schoorl, Netherlands

Hargen aan Zee is a spacious North Sea beach located between Schoorl aan Zee and Camperduin, part of the municipality of Bergen. It boasts the largest car park in the Bergen municipality with 1,600 parking spaces, making it the most accessible of the Schoorl-area beaches. The beach is wide and sandy, ideal for long walks with your dog along the waterline. During winter from October through April, dogs can run freely across the entire beach. In summer, the beach is divided into activity beaches and sunbathing beaches — leashed dogs are welcome on the activity beaches during the day, while off-leash time is available before 10:00 and after 19:00 on all sections. Strandpaviljoen Hargen sits right at the beach entrance and serves food and drinks throughout the season. The parking area is located at Hargerstrandweg 1 in Schoorl, with rates of EUR 2.20 per hour or EUR 6.90 for a day ticket from March through October, and free parking from November to February. The surrounding Schoorlse Duinen offer beautiful walking trails through the widest dune landscape in the Netherlands, providing additional off-beach exercise opportunities for you and your dog.

Petten, Netherlands

Petten is a quiet seaside village in the municipality of Schagen, offering a peaceful stretch of North Sea beach that is less crowded than many neighbouring resorts. The beach is wide and sandy, backed by the Hondsbossche Zeewering — one of the most impressive sea defences in the Netherlands. During winter from October through March, dogs can run freely across the entire beach, making it a superb destination for off-leash walks. In summer, dogs must be leashed (maximum 1.5 metres) between 9:00 and 19:00, but can be off-leash in early morning and evening hours. Strandpaviljoen Zee en Zo is located at beach entrance 17B (Petten Centrum) and provides food, drinks, and toilet facilities. The beach also features a children's play area and volleyball nets near the pavilion. Parking is available at various spots including free parking along the Spreeuwendijk. Petten sits conveniently between the year-round off-leash Korfwater beach to the north and the Bergen municipality beaches to the south, making it easy to combine with other beach walks. The village itself is small and quiet, with a few restaurants and shops — perfect for dog owners who prefer a relaxed atmosphere away from the busier tourist beaches.

Petten, Netherlands

Korfwater is one of the most celebrated dog beaches in North Holland — and for good reason. Located between Petten and Sint Maartenszee at beach access point 16, this is one of the rare Dutch beaches where dogs can run off-leash year-round, with no seasonal restrictions whatsoever. The beach stretches over 2 kilometres wide, offering an extraordinary amount of space for dogs to run, play, and swim. Even in summer, when most Dutch beaches impose leash rules, Korfwater remains completely unrestricted for dogs. The spacious nature of the beach means it rarely feels crowded, even on busy days. Parking is available for free at the Korfwaterweg, making access easy and affordable. The beach is part of the municipality of Schagen, which has designated this area specifically as a year-round off-leash zone. After 19:00 in summer and all day in winter, dogs can also roam freely on the adjacent Petten and Sint Maartenszee beaches, allowing for exceptionally long coastal walks. This is a must-visit destination for any dog owner in the Netherlands. The natural, unspoiled character of the beach — with minimal commercial development — adds to its appeal for those seeking a genuine off-leash beach experience.