Discover Sint Maartenszee: Beach, Dunes and Nature

Sint Maartenszee lies at the foot of the dunes. The bathing area has two main beach access points: “Sint Maartenszee Zuid” and “Sint Maartenszee Noord”. Other defining features of this destination include the dune landscape, natural highlights in spring and a range of leisure activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Sint Maartenszee, these aspects can be a useful starting point: consider whether the beach, nature or a particular excursion is your priority when planning your trip.

Beach Access and Dunes

The dunes behind the bathing area are part of the “Zwanenwater en Petterduinen” Natura 2000 site. This adds a protected-landscape dimension to the beach setting: the dunes are not just a backdrop to the bathing area, but are themselves part of the designated nature area. If you’d like to consider the landscape as well as the beach when choosing a destination, you’ll find a specific connection to nature here.

There is a clear restriction on access to the beach: the access points are open only to pedestrians, cyclists and people with an exemption permit. Cars may use them only if such a permit has been issued. Bear this rule in mind when travelling to the area, and check the local access regulations before your trip.

Spring and Wildrijk

In spring, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips bloom in succession in the fields around Sint Maartenszee. The flowering season is therefore staggered and includes several flower species. Wildrijk also offers a walking experience of about an hour, especially in spring. At this time of year, the forest floor there is covered with a blue carpet of wild hyacinths. Wildrijk was protected through purchase in 1940.

The fields in the surrounding area display a succession of different flowers, while Wildrijk has a blue carpet of wild hyacinths on the forest floor. These are two distinct spring scenes: a sequence of blooms across the wider area and a striking feature of Wildrijk’s forest floor. The walk, which takes about an hour, gives you a specific time frame to consider when planning your day.

Water Landscape at the Duinrellen

Water is another natural feature. In Sint Maartenszee, very clean water from the freshwater lens in the dunes flows through the Duinrellen on both sides of the Zeeweg. A specially constructed connecting ditch carries the water from the Duinrellen to the nearby Wildrijk nature reserve. This creates a direct water connection between the freshwater lens in the dunes and the reserve. This landscape feature adds another link between the dunes and the natural environment to the seasonal blossoms.

Leisure Activities with Different Focuses

Land van Fluwel offers a barefoot trail and is easy to reach by bike or car. Check the route before setting off. Speelpark De Goudvis in Sint Maartenszee has three indoor play paradises, with a total of more than 2,200 m² of covered play space. The options therefore differ: a barefoot trail at Land van Fluwel and several indoor play areas at De Goudvis. At the latter, you can also take the total area of the play spaces into account when considering your options.

When planning your trip, you can consider the beach, nature and leisure activities separately rather than reducing them to a single reason for an excursion. The beach access points have their own access rules, Wildrijk combines a spring walk with seasonal blooms, and the leisure activities mentioned differ in their specific offerings.

Discover more destinations: Het Korfwater, Oudesluis, 'T Zand, Petten, Sint Maartensbrug, Burgerbrug, Callantsoog, Sint Maartensvlotbrug.

For the broader travel overview: Zijpe.