Beach
Scheveningen Beach
Sea temperature, lifeguard season, dogs, surf and kitesurf zones, beach pavilions and accessibility on Scheveningen's 4.5-kilometre stretch of North Sea coast.
Swimming, lifeguards and water conditions
Scheveningen beach runs for about 4.5 kilometres between Westduinpark and Oostduinpark, with an average width of around 110 metres. The North Sea here is swimmable but cool: roughly 5°C in winter, rising to about 18 to 20°C at the height of summer. Lifeguards watch the Hague coastline, including Scheveningen, from 1 May to 1 October; outside that season or outside daily watch hours, swim only within your own ability and always check the flag on duty before going in.
Dogs, surfing and beach pavilions
From 15 May to 1 October, dogs may run off-lead only on the Noorderstrand north of Zwarte Pad; nearer the Pier, Kurhaus and boulevard they must stay on a lead in that period, with an owner's clean-up bag required year-round. Kitesurfing is confined to marked zones on Strand Noord near the harbour's north mole and on Strand Zuid near Duindorp, kept separate from swimmers elsewhere on the sand. Seasonal beach pavilions, or strandtenten, line the boulevard with food, drink and sun loungers, thinning out toward the quieter harbour and dune stretches.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in the sea at Scheveningen, and how warm is the water?
Yes, swimming in the North Sea at Scheveningen is a normal part of a beach visit, though the water is cooler than the Mediterranean year-round. Sea temperature typically ranges from about 5°C in winter to around 18 to 20°C at the height of summer in August, with May and September closer to 12 to 14°C. Even in summer, first-time swimmers often find the North Sea cold, so easing in gradually is normal.
When is the lifeguard season on Scheveningen beach?
The Hague's beaches, including Scheveningen, are guarded by lifeguards from 1 May to 1 October each year, according to Rijkswaterstaat's official swim water profile, covering the full 11-kilometre Hague coastline from several supervision posts. Outside this season and outside daily watch hours, no lifeguard is on duty, so swim only within your own ability. Always check the flag on duty on the day, since colour-coded flags signal whether swimming is considered safe.
Can dogs go on Scheveningen beach?
From 15 May to 1 October, dogs may run off-lead only on Scheveningen's Noorderstrand, from the Zwarte Pad beach access northward to the border with Wassenaar; the section by the Pier, the Kurhaus and the boulevard requires a lead in that period. Outside this season, rules are less strict along more of the coast. Owners must always carry something to clean up after their dog, year-round.
Where can you surf or kitesurf at Scheveningen?
Scheveningen's harbour splits the coast into Strand Noord and Strand Zuid, and kitesurfing is restricted to designated zones on each: a marked area near the harbour's Noordelijk Havenhoofd (north mole) on Strand Noord, and a specific watersports zone on Strand Zuid near Duindorp where kitesurf schools are also based. Kitesurfing outside these zones is not permitted because of swimmers elsewhere on the beach. Surf conditions vary with wind and swell, so check with a local kitesurf or surf school before heading out.
What are the beach pavilions (strandtenten) at Scheveningen?
Beach pavilions, known locally as strandtenten, are the wooden beach clubs built along Scheveningen's sand each season, combining a restaurant or bar with sun loungers and direct beach access. They cluster most densely along the boulevard near the Pier and Kurhaus, thinning out toward the harbour and Westduinpark. Most operate seasonally, roughly from spring to early autumn, and individual opening dates vary by pavilion and year.
How long is Scheveningen beach?
Scheveningen beach is about 4.5 kilometres long with an average width of around 110 metres, stretching between Westduinpark and Oostduinpark according to the local tourism board. Rijkswaterstaat's official swim zone within this, Scheveningen Noorderstrand, is more narrowly defined at 2.4 kilometres long and about 150 metres wide. The wider 11-kilometre Hague coastline quoted for lifeguard coverage also includes Kijkduin and the harbour area to the south.
Can you get onto the sand at Scheveningen with limited mobility?
Yes, beach wheelchairs can be hired in Scheveningen through Biesieklette, with pick-up points including Carlton Beach Hotel and Strandweg Haven; booking ahead is recommended since numbers are limited. Firm, hard-packed paths down to the waterline are laid out at several points along the boulevard each beach season, though exact locations shift year to year. Designated disabled parking spaces are available at multiple points near the boulevard, including around Gevers Deynootweg; the boulevard itself is covered separately in the guide to Scheveningen's accessibility.
Is it safe to swim during a storm or strong tide at Scheveningen?
No, swimming is not safe at Scheveningen during storms or when a red or yellow warning flag is flying, since strong currents, rip tides and onshore winds increase the risk of being pulled out to sea. An orange flag warns of an offshore wind or current unsafe for inflatables and other floating gear. Check conditions with the lifeguard post on duty before entering the water, and never swim outside supervised hours in rough weather. The developments page explains how this stretch of coastline is protected more broadly.