Watersports holiday in the Netherlands

A paradise for kitesurfers: the IJsselmeer

The IJsselmeer in the north of the Netherlands is a former bay that has been dyked. This provides ideal conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing, making the lake a favourite spot for water sports enthusiasts.

The EuroParcs Hindeloopen holiday park is located directly at the IJsselmeer. The park has a stretch of beach from which you can jump into the water with your equipment and then go kitesurfing or windsurfing on the west and north sides of the park.

As the IJsselmeer in Hindeloopen offers a large standing area, this place is perfect for beginners and those returning to kitesurfing. But advanced surfers will also get their money's worth here and can have a lot of fun.

For nature conservation reasons, water sports are only permitted here from the 1st of April to the 1st of October. The exact water sports areas are marked on the park map and you can contact reception at any time if you have any questions.

If you want to take it a little easier as an alternative to kiting, you can also relax on the holiday park's beach, go for a swim or hire a SUP board and paddle around on the park's inland waters.

Watersports holiday in Hindeloopen

The surroundings of EuroParcs Hindeloopen are easy to explore by boat or bike. The town of Hindeloopen is just 7 minutes away by bike. In addition to numerous sights and lots of culture, you will also find shops for water sports equipment here, in case you have forgotten something important for your watersports holiday.

Kitesurfing beginners can also combine their holiday at EuroParcs Hindeloopen with a course: The OK Surf & Kiteschool teaches kitesurfing from the age of 14 and windsurfing from the age of 10. Experienced surfers can also take a course in wingfoiling.

North Holland at the IJsselmeer

On the opposite side of the IJsselmeer is EuroParcs Enkhuizer Strand. Located about an hour from Amsterdam, the holiday park is also a popular holiday destination for water sports enthusiasts, where you can go sailing, windsurfing and even skûtsjesilen (Frisian sailing). Sailing courses can also be booked at the Enkhuizen sailing school.

Eldorado for recreation and water sports: Lake Veluwemeer

Lake Veluwemeer is also a great destination for a water sports holiday. At around 32 square kilometres, the inland lake itself is not quite as large, but as it is connected to the neighbouring waters, there are plenty of opportunities here.

There are beautiful bathing spots, small villages and numerous cycling and hiking trails as well as plenty of nature and culture to discover. On the water, you can go kitesurfing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddling or even water skiing. You can also take sailing lessons in some places at the lake.

The EuroParcs Veluwemeer and EuroParcs Bad Hoophuizen holiday parks are located directly at the water of Lake Veluwemeer. At the EuroParcs Veluwemeer water sports centre, you can take part in courses in various water sports or book private lessons. The park also has its own marina where you can moor your boat.

During a tour by motorboat or sailing boat on Lake Veluwemeer, you can use the access points to Markermeer and IJsselmeer and spend a relaxing day on the water. If you don't have your own boat, you can hire one on site.

Relaxation on Lake Veluwemeer

If the sore muscles from water sports get a bit too much and you want to take a day off, you can sunbathe on the beautiful beaches of the lake, read a book and simply relax. Or jump into the water to cool off and splash around with your loved ones. On the beach at EuroParcs Bad Hoophuizen, you can also play beach volleyball and children can run around on the playground equipment on the beach.

As an alternative to the beach, there is an outdoor pool at EuroParcs Veluwemeer and an indoor pool at EuroParcs Bad Hoophuizen that you can visit. You'll also find lots of great excursion destinations near the two holiday parks. Explore the town of Nunspeet, the city of Zwolle or pay a visit to the Walibi Holland theme park. There is also a Dolfinarium in Harderwijk and an exciting sand sculpture exhibition in Elburg, both of which are well worth a visit. You can also reach Amsterdam in around an hour by car.

So if you want a more relaxed water sports holiday with plenty of relaxation, Lake Veluwe is the place for you.

Recreation on and around the water: De Kraaijenbergse Plassen

The Kraaijenbergse Plassen are an extensive lake area of over 475 hectares and are ideal for water sports. The holiday park EuroParcs De Kraaijenbergse Plassen is located here.

The nature and recreation area offers numerous opportunities for water sports: From sailing, surfing, rowing, canoeing and boating to swimming, it's all here. And of course you can always just relax on the beach.

At De Kraaij Surf & Sup School, you can learn the basics of windsurfing or wingfoiling in a one-and-a-half-hour course. Experienced surfers can also hire equipment here.

The lakes of the Kraaijenbergse Plassen are surrounded by cycle paths and hiking trails. This makes it easy to watch the water sports enthusiasts from the shore while you cast your line or take a walk through the neighbourhood.

If you want to explore the area from the water, you can hire a boat at the holiday park, for which you don't need a boating licence. If you want to make this exploration tour a little more active, you can also hire a SUP board.

In the evening, the brasserie at the holiday park invites you to enjoy a delicious dinner after an exciting day on the water. Guests can also take advantage of the restaurant's bread roll service to start the day refreshed the next morning.

If you're looking for a change from water sports, we recommend a visit to the nearby city of Nijmegen or the Toverland theme park in Sevenum. Here you can have a lot of fun with your family or friends!

Water sports in Limburg: the Maas Lakes

The Maas Lakes are a vast, interconnected network of lakes of various sizes created by gravel extraction. With an area of around 3000 hectares, the lakes are the largest contiguous water sports area in the Netherlands.

Here you can swim, sail, surf, dive, row, canoe and kayak. You can also try your hand at stand-up paddling, wakeboarding or water skiing. There are numerous water sports schools in various locations around the lakes where you can take courses and hire equipment.

There are also many beautiful day beaches on the shores of the lakes where you can spread out your towel and sunbathe or organise a delicious picnic. Fishing is also permitted on some of the shores.

You can also explore the size of the lake area on a boat trip. Hire a boat, for which you don't need a boating licence, and decide for yourself what you want to see.

Watersports holiday at the holiday park

The holiday park EuroParcs Limburg is located very close to the Maas Lakes. The first lakes in the area can be reached from here in around a quarter of an hour by car or half an hour by bike.

The holiday park is a lovely and cosy retreat after a day of water action on the Maas Lakes. Here you can relax in the wellness centre in the sauna or Turkish steam bath, play a round of mini golf with your friends and family, visit the alpacas in the petting zoo or enjoy a delicious meal in the park's restaurant.

What also makes this holiday park special is its location on the narrowest part of the Netherlands: both the German and Belgian borders are only about 15 minutes away by car. This means you can also make a spontaneous day trip to Belgium during your watersports holiday. Everyone will find the perfect excursion destination in the vicinity of this holiday park!