Get naturally active in Dutch dune town Westvoorne

Municipality concentrates on sustainable tourism by offering naturally active holiday options

The Dunes of Voorne are considered to be one of the most beautiful natural areas in Europe. Really varied and consisting of sand stalks, dune lakes, polls, dune grasslands and forests, they are home to many different animal and bird species, including blue herons. The flora is delightful too, including gentians, Parnassia and orchids. Here, you can even encounter Icelandic ponies, Galloway cattle and Scottish Highlander cattle grazing gently – they keep the grass short and the trails open!

But Westvoorne has even more than tranquil seaside beauty. The area offers many opportunities for true, active recreation, here, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, mountain biking, horse riding, surfing and kite surfing – even and scuba diving.

And in recent years, there has been serious investment in recreation and tourism to make sure the area offers a sustainable visit. Including the addition of new hiking, cycling and horse riding trails. Westvoorne municipality committed to creating a place where visitors and locals can enjoy life sustainably and with respect for the local precious and delightful nature.

Oostvoorne (East Voorne) has traditionally been a favorite Dutch seaside resort. Since the 1960’s, the Oostvoornse beach has developed into a dynamic natural beach with swallows and sand plates that attract many birds. Visitors also see seals here regularly. There is even a fully sustainable pavilion restaurant the "Aan Zee’. Oostvoornse Lake and the immediate area are used for surfing, fishing, diving and mountain biking.

Away from the beach Oostvoorne’s old village center has stately, well-maintained historic houses and a beautiful restored ruins, the 12^th century Jacob’s castle. There is a superb open-air museum  ‘De Duinhuisjes’ http://www.westelijk-voorne.nl/duinhuisjes/introductie.html  visitors return in the early 1900’s. They return to the present day the Tenellaplas, South Holland Landscape Foundation’s special search center.

Finally the municipality’s Rockanje is a comfortable, friendly seaside resort for young and old. From the spacious parking spaces visitors arrive via a beach square on the beautiful North Sea beach. Sandy coastal banks provide a peaceful sea so children can safely play at the edge of the water. The buoy line also ensures optimum safety. During the summer holidays there is a rescue brigade and first aid post available. Naturally, The resort is one of the cleanest beaches in the Netherlands and it is both ‘Blue Flag’ and has a QualityCoast Gold Award for sustainable tourism and recreation.

The five beach pavilions are the ideal place for a relaxing and comfortable beach day. Or for a stroll – walk east or west to the beach and experience the soothing noise of the sea and the beautiful dune area. You can take a beautiful wander along the dunes, dune and climb up the dune with a magnificent view of the sea.

In 2015, Rockanje was even voted the best holiday spot in the Netherlands! Here is what they said

From April to October, many major and small events take place in Westvoorne including music and cultural events to the historic Rockanje Classic motor race . For more information on the municipality of Westvoorne, visit http://www.westvoorne.nl and http://www.zuid-hollandse-eilanden.nl.

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