To the beach

The municipality of Wassenaar has beautiful dunes and 8 kilometers of beach. On the Wassenaar family beach there is something for everyone to do, such as walking, swimming or surfing. In between you can order a snack or drink at one of the cozy beach restaurants. 

Safe swimming

Do you go swimming in the sea or a lake? Lovely. And totally fun! But swimming in open water also has risks. Think strong currents. A mui. Or a sudden change in temperature.

Therefore, agree in advance who will keep an eye on you while swimming. That way you will get in and out of the water safely.

Health that someone is watching you when you go into the water

  • Your friends on the side
    Going swimming alone? Ask someone on the shore to keep an eye on you.
  • Your buddy in the water
    Swim together. Then you can help each other when needed.
  • The lifeguard on the beach
    Is there a lifeguard around? Pay attention to his or her directions.

Does anyone in the water get into trouble?

  • Call for help, call 911 or alert a lifeguard
  • Throw something that floats. Or stick out something that can be grabbed. 
  • 'Coach' someone to the side.
  • Keep looking at the person in the water so you know where he or she is.

Learn more about safe swimming at www.veiliginenuithetwater.nl. 

Keep the beach clean

Use the trash cans on the beach so the beach stays clean. In the summer, the municipality empties the trash cans every day. In addition, you can pick up a free paper trash bag at the beach entrance. You can keep your trash in this during your visit to the beach. At the end of the day, you can put the garbage bag in one of the bins on the beach. 

Parking at the beach

You can park your car in one of two paid parking lots near the beach. You can park in parking lot De Kuil (about 700 spaces) and in parking lot Zeelust (about 180 spaces). You may not park with horse trailers in the parking lots. 

Wheelchair accessible toilet

A wheelchair-accessible restroom unit is located on the sidewalk to Zeelust parking lot. 

Taking your dog to the beach

Want to take your dog to the beach? You can! However, there are some rules in the summer, so that the beach remains a nice place for everyone.

In addition, we ask you to clean up your dog's poop. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

From May 15 to September 15

During the summer, these rules apply to dogs on the beach:

  • Between beach post 92.50 and 92.25 is always off-limits to dogs in the summer.
  • From pole 92.25 towards Katwijk, dogs are always welcome on the beach. This pole is just past the Surfclub.
  • From pole 92.50 towards Scheveningen, dogs are also always welcome. This pole is just past the Zeilvereniging.

Want to take your dog to one of the beach restaurants at Wassenaar Slag? Then follow these rules:

  • You are walking your dog on a leash.
  • You walk directly to one of the restaurants.
  • You walk behind the restaurants.

Do not walk your dog at the front of the restaurants. There, the beach is meant for things like picnicking, playing or lying in the sun without dogs.

From Sept. 16 to May 14

Outside of summer, you can take your dog to the beach anytime, anywhere. No rules apply then. However, always clean up your dog's poop.

Read more in the leaflet Dogs on the Beach.

Taking your horse to the beach

During the summer, these rules apply to horses on the beach:

  • Between posts 91.50 and 92.75, it is off limits to horses between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the summer.
  • From pole 91.50 toward Katwijk, horses are always welcome on the beach.
  • From pole 92.75 toward Scheveningen, horses are also always welcome.

Good to know: It is not possible to park with horse trailers in the parking lots at the Wassenaar Slag.

Fishing on the beach

During the summer period, these rules apply if you want to fish on the beach:

  • Between posts 91.50 and 92.75, fishing is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the summer.
  • From pole 91.50 towards Katwijk, you may always fish on the beach.
  • From pole 92.75 toward Scheveningen, you may also fish at any time.

Swimming without air mattresses

For your safety, only swim in the sea without an air mattress, boat or other floating objects.

Do not barbecue

According to municipality rules, you are not allowed to barbecue within 100 meters of the dunes. That means you are not allowed to barbecue on the beach.

Coastal sailing and windsurfing for members only

You may only coast sail or windsurf (plank sailing) in Wassenaar if you are a member of Kustzeilvereniging Wassenaar or Surfclub Wassenaar.

Are you a member of a coastal sailing or windsurfing club elsewhere? Then you can become a temporary member in Wassenaar if you have enough experience.

No cars and bicycles

You are not allowed on the beach with a vehicle or vessel. Such as with a car, scooter, bicycle or boat.

A sustainable coastal town

The Municipality of Wassenaar would like to take good care of the dunes and beach, so that you can still enjoy them in the future.

The municipality is therefore participating in the QualityCoast program. This is an international mark of quality and sustainability for coastal towns.

By participating in the QualityCoast program, the municipality gains insight into how well the coastal zone is doing. And the municipality gets advice on topics such as:

  • a sustainable economy
  • sustainable tourism
  • hospitality
  • culture
  • nature and landscape
  • environment and climate