Petten Strand

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.

Schoorl, Netherlands

Camperduin is a distinctive beach destination in North Holland, famous for its unique lagoon that formed in 2015 as part of a major sand nourishment project called the Hondsbossche Duinen. The result is a wide, sheltered beach with a shallow lagoon — perfect for dogs who enjoy wading and splashing in calmer water. The beach is part of the municipality of Bergen and follows the same dog-friendly rules as the other Schoorl-area beaches. From October through April, dogs can run freely on the entire beach. In summer, leashed dogs are welcome on the activity beaches throughout the day, while off-leash time is available before 10:00 and after 19:00. Camperduin has excellent infrastructure with over 2,500 parking spaces within walking distance of the beach (about 300 metres). The beach has two notable pavilions: STRUIN Strandpaviljoen and Prince George, both offering food and drinks with sea views. The newly created dune landscape behind the beach provides additional walking opportunities. Note that not all navigation systems find Camperduin correctly — use postcode 1871 GL in Schoorl for best results. The combination of the lagoon, wide beach, and dune trails makes Camperduin particularly appealing for dog owners looking for variety in their coastal walks.

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.