De Zandmotor — Attraction in Westland

A beautiful vast beach. The perfect place for fossil hunters like me, as fossil seashells and fossil bones are commonly found. The seashells are from the Eemian stage of the Pleistocene, so 120'000 years old. The bones come mostly from mammals like the mammoth, the woolly rhino, the cave lion, etc. About 90% of the bones are 40'000 years old (late Pleistocene), but some are from the early Holocene (9'000 years old) and others from the middle Pleistocene (600'000 years old). Shark teeth, though uncommon, can also be found. Some are from the early Holocene (10'000 years old) and others are from the early Eocene (45 million years old). Fish bones (mostly vertebrae and sometimes teeth) from the late Pleistocene are also commonly found. Finding fossil seashells is incredibly easy, the only tricky part is to distinguish them from modern ones. Fossil seashells are mostly dull grey in color, don't shine, are heavier and thicker and feel like stone upon touching. Also, they shouldn't let any light pass through (or very little) when held up to the sun or a torch). Fossil bones are easily recognizable as they are heavy and dark in color (brown or black). They are often confused though with pieces of wood, stones and iron ores. Luckily, you will notice that iron ores are very dense/heavy, and don't have any specific shape; wood will easily crumble upon handling; and miscellanous stones will not have any distinctive shape. Also, fossil bones will likely have a porous structure (little holes in the bone; remains of where the veins used to be). Shark teeth (usually black in color) can be recognized by their shiny enamel. Fish vertebrae (black in color) have a very distinctive shape, similar to a sandglass. Modern seashells are also often found here, as well as early human artifacts (arrowheads, spearheads, etc). The Zandmotor is also a popular place to go kitesurfing or for talking your dog out for a walk (during winter months). Kijkduin, which is a bit more north, is also a popular beach with beach restaurants and tents. All in all, the Zandmotor is a fantastic place to go to on a sunny day, regardless whether you want to rest and enjoy the beach, do some sport, or learn more about the (pre-)history of the area; or a...

I spent the day at Zandmotor in Den Haag, and I’ve got to say it was amazing! From the moment I arrived, the vibe was electric. The beach filled up pretty quickly with kite surfers of all levels, and the energy was contagious.

I managed to catch a ton of kitesurfing action on video, and it was incredible to see so many people out on the water doing what they love. The wind conditions were just right, and although it got a bit crowded, it only added to the excitement and community feel of the place.

As someone who’s still new to kitesurfing, I found Zandmotor to be a great spot for rookies. The open space, friendly atmosphere, and the mix of skill levels made it the perfect place to observe, learn, and get inspired. I didn’t get out on the water myself this time, but after seeing all the fun, I definitely want to give it a go here next time.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first kitesurfing experience or just want to soak up the scene and energy, Zandmotor is absolutely worth the visit.

Pros: • Great wind and water conditions • Friendly crowd of kitesurfers • Good for beginners and more experienced riders • Scenic and spacious beach

Cons: • Can get quite crowded during peak times

Overall, it was a blast, and I can’t wait to come back – hopefully with a kite...

This hidden gem has it all. Peace and quiet with minimal amount of people, a great place to do birdwatching and active kite and wind surfers to enjoy!

The sand engine is named because it uses natural forces to combat sand erosion and maintain the beach. The tower oversees the project. Museum Boerhaave in Leiden has more in...