5 photo spots on dutch coast - Westland, South Holland

photography

Feb 27

One could say that the roots of my project The North Sea date back to 2010 and my first visit to the Netherlands. It was then, during a few days' stay in the Netherlands, that I ended up in Zandvoort, and to cut a long story short, I fell in love with the aesthetics of the Dutch coastline.

And even though Zandvoort doesn't have the most charming boulevard (a lot of high-rises, blocks, and concrete), I still believe it has something special about it.

Many years have passed, I've managed to move to the Netherlands, and for the past two years, I've been photographing Dutch beaches regularly. There was a period when I photographed it from the air and water, but currently, I focus primarily on walking making my steps by foot with a classic, digital and analog cameras.

During this adventure, I've come to know the beaches of South Holland like the back of my hand (I wrote about what I photograph on the coast here). I am getting to know the coastline of North Holland and Zeeland as well, but realistically, I need at least one season to be able to say that there are no secrets left for me.

That's why today, I'm sharing my favorite photo spots on - for now - the Westland piece of South Holland’s coastline.

Hoek van Holland - Rechtestraat

Especially this building of the surf school is my favorite spot on the coast. For some reason, this place feels iconic to me. Kind of reminds american beaches, I suppose. Besides, it's photogenic regardless of the season. Even when the small beach cabins disappear in winter, this building remains and looks even better. Plus, there's always a place to grab a coffee after a photo session, no matter the time of year. The terrace (a grand word for it) of the vegan Pele Surf Shack is itself a spot worth visiting with a camera.

Zandmotor - between monster and Kijkduin

Zandmotor is an artificially widened stretch of coastline that is constantly evolving. Created as an attempt to control coastal erosion caused by the movement of the sea, it also serves a recreational purpose. There are two bodies of water here, one of which (the larger one, on the Kijkduin side) turns into a playground for kite surfers when the wind picks up. Additionally, dozens of bird species reside here, and with a bit of luck, you might even spot a fox.

‘s-Gravenzande - slag Beukel

Especially from spring to autumn, this stretch of beach, with its characteristic white beach cabins, is one of my favorites. I love photographing these wooden huts, no matter the weather.
Additionally, this is one of the few surf spots in Westland. When conditions are right, you can experiment with surf photography in an atmosphere slightly different from that in The Hague (see point 5).

Hoek van Holland - pier

Hoek van Holland can evoke mixed feelings. When I was focused on a typical seascape, I avoided this place entirely. The industrial character of Hoek van Holland, due to its proximity to Europort, didn’t align with my sense of aesthetics.

Now, as I focus on documenting all aspects of coastal life, I return to Hoek regularly. There’s always something happening here - ships passing through the Nieuwe Waterweg, fishermen, year-round beach bars, and the long pier, all providing a variety of interesting frames and subjects.

The Hague - Scheveningen

I have similarly mixed feelings about The Hague’s coastline. Scheveningen feels a bit like an open-air marketplace to me, especially in summer. It gets super busy and sometimes messy. It’s hard to tell what takes center stage here - the sea or the endless consumption of everything that can be consumed - and there are plenty of options. But that’s also part of this place’s character.

The most important landmark is, of course, the pier. It has its charm, though not exactly a romantic one.

My favorite spots are the sections of the beach near both harbor entrances. This is home to the largest surf spot in the Netherlands. Here, you can stumble upon early morning cold-water swimmers. Fishing boats set out from here, and hobby anglers cast their lines. No matter the season or weather, there are always interesting subjects to photograph.