Zwanenwater near Callantsoog: 600 hectares with two dune lakes

The area covers 600 hectares, belongs to Natuurmonumenten, the Dutch nature conservation society, and falls under the Natura 2000 site Zwanenwater & Pettemerduinen. Two things to know before you go, because they differ from the dune areas further south along this coast: you pay to get in here, and the dog stays at home.

What does the Zwanenwater cost?

3.50 euros per person. Members of Natuurmonumenten and children under 12 go in free.

Whether you pay at a desk, at a machine or online in advance is not stated, and we have not been able to establish it. Do not count on being able to pay cash without asking first. Checked on 5 September 2026 at Natuurmonumenten.

When is it open?

From April to July inclusive from 7.00 to 21.00. From August to March inclusive from sunrise to sunset.

That second arrangement means your visit in winter is a short one and that the closing time shifts every week. When exactly the sun sets on the day you go is something to look up yourself, Natuurmonumenten gives no clock times with it. Checked on 5 September 2026.

Where is this, coming from Amsterdam?

Callantsoog lies on the coast of Noord-Holland, in the far north of the province. Calculated from the coordinates on this page, in a straight line, the Zwanenwater is roughly 52 kilometres north of the centre of Amsterdam, roughly 56 kilometres north of Schiphol airport and roughly 21 kilometres north of Alkmaar, the nearest city. Straight lines, so by road it is more, and we have not measured a driving time.

Where can you park?

The car park is at Zuidschinkeldijk 3a. How many spaces there are, whether you pay and whether the site fills up on busy days, we have not been able to establish.

Can the dog come?

No. Dogs are not allowed into the Zwanenwater, not even on a lead. Assistance dogs are the exception.

That is stricter than the beach at Callantsoog, where the dog may run free on four stretches all year round. If you want to walk with the dog, this is not the area to head for.

What are the Eerste Water and the Tweede Water?

The two dune lakes the area owes its name to. The Tweede Water (the second water) lies slightly further south than the Eerste (the first). According to Natuurmonumenten these are the two largest natural dune lakes in western Europe.

Dune lakes are rare in the Netherlands, most dune areas have none. Why the water stays standing here is a soil question we have not been able to get from a checkable source, so we leave it here for what it is: striking, and unexplained on this page.

Which birds breed there?

More than 75 species a year, according to Natuurmonumenten. Which species those are, how many pairs that amounts to and in which months you see them best is not in the source we checked. We leave that list empty until we have it solid, because a second-hand species list is exactly what is no use to you here.

One practical point: the 7.00 opening time in spring and early summer coincides with the part of the day when birds are at their most active.

How far is it from Callantsoog?

A good two kilometres south of the village as the crow flies. As the crow flies, so by road it is more.

Whether a continuous walking or cycling path runs from Callantsoog to the entrance, and how long that is, we have not measured. If you are walking, plan your own route to the Zuidschinkeldijk before you set off.