The best things to do in the Cocksdorp Texel
De Cocksdorp is the youngest village on Texel. Named after the Belgian shipowner N.J de Cock. At the beginning of the 19th century, with the help of 1500 workers, he laid 11 kilometres of dyke along Texel in just 5 months.
As a result, the north side of the island was protected from the high rising tide, but a lot of agricultural land was also released. Something that was much needed with the rapidly growing number of people in the Netherlands. No wonder they named a village after the man who made this happen at such a rapid pace.
The special sea area around the Cocksdorp
Around the northern tip of the island near the Cocksdorp, the Wadden Sea and the North Sea meet. This is a perpetual push and pull. As you can perhaps imagine, it is therefore a fairly dangerous piece of water.
They thought about that, a very long dike of 300 metres has been laid in the water. Nobody knew when it was built to make the water off the coast safer, that the dike would cause more and more sand to be pushed up. The result is an insanely wide beach. An ultimate place for lots of tough outdoor activities.
For example, this stretch of beach is very popular with kite flyers. By this we do not mean the kite that the Dutch folk singer Andre Hazes wails about, but the multiline one where you can reach considerable speeds with a buggy over the beach.
Exciting to do and fun to watch. Don’t worry, if you’re not into it, the beach is so big that you don’t have to worry about it.
What is there to do on the beach of the Cocksdorp
If you fancy a little more action than hanging out on the terrace of a trendy beach club during your visit to the Cocksdorp. Then there are many possibilities. The Waddenbeaches are one of the most special and fun beaches we have in the Netherlands. This ensures that there are all kinds of things to do where you need wind and water.
If you want more peace and quiet than on that same terrace, you can also enjoy the dunes. Here you can spot special birds, walk endlessly or roll out your yoga mat and be completely alone in the world for a while.
Below are some of the most enjoyable activities.
1.Power kiten
If you are a real daredevil or on your way to becoming one then an afternoon of Powerkiten is really something to do on the beach of the Cocksdorp.
If you are a beginner who wants to learn kitesurfing, then this is the ultimate starting point. Powerkiting is swooshing over the beach with big kites. You will learn everything about building up and breaking down the kite as you have with kite surfing.
But even if you don’t have any aspirations to go out to sea with such a thing, it’s a great experience for young and old. You learn a lot about the elements with this kite and you learn it fast. Within no time you’ll be handling your kite on your own. At Active Texel they teach you all the ins and outs and you can enjoy an afternoon at the beach while being pulled along by your own kite.
2.Jutters experience
If you want to make a difference, for example as an addition to your slow travel holiday on Texel, then the Jutters experience is for you. During this beach walk you will be led by a local guide in search of the lost treasures from the North Sea.
From the many shipwrecksnot only crates of gold coins wash ashore. Unfortunately, a lot of rubbish is also washed ashore. You also collect this. After all, tidied up is clean. Along the way you will learn all about the beach, the birds and the sea around the Cocksdorp.
At the end of the beachcombing you make a work of art out of all the collected stuff, including the junk. To finish off, you will also be given a nice surprise. This is not only fun on your own, but also together with your partner or family, as a group of friends or as a company outing.
3. A visit to the Lighthouse
The beacon of Texel, the red and white lighthouse, 150 years old and 35 metres high, can rightly be called a ‘grande dame’.
At the end of the Second World War it was the scene of a final bloody battle between the Georgians and the Germans, who were stationed on Texel.
Nowadays it serves as a museum. From the tower you can look out over the wadden region.
4. Playing golf on the Texelse golf course near the Cocksdorp
Not only for people who like sand between their toes, but also if you are a real golf fanatic, you can indulge yourself in the Cocksdorp.
Leave the rest of the family behind on the terrace and put on your checkered trousers, because this public 18-hole course on the left is unique in its kind.Golf Course de Texelse is situated in the middle of the extensive dune landscape with water features, marram grass and wide views. This is a course that you, as a trained golfer, must have played once. As a beginner you are also very welcome here, for example introductory lessons can be booked. This range is ranked by professional golfers at number 12 of 282 Dutch golf courses.
5. Camping in the Dunes of the Cocksdorp
At minicamping & cheese farm de Duinen you can really immerse yourself in the nature of the dunes near the Cocksdorp. The campsite is situated against the sand hills and has only 10 pitches. The intimate character and homely atmosphere of the farm make your stay here in your tent or caravan truly unique. If you don’t like air mattresses or drag cabins, they also have a choice of simple or luxurious holiday cottages for groups of up to 6 people.
The special nature reserves around the Cocksdorp
De Cocksdorp is as the most northern village of the island surrounded by special nature reserves. You will find nature reserves here, for example: The Slufter, the Volharding and the Eierlandse Duinen. What they all have in common is that they are unique in their kind.
The Slufter
The Slufter, for example, is a sandy plain surrounded by dunes that is in open connection with the North Sea. This ensures the growth of unique plants that can survive in both fresh and salt water.
It is a true walking paradise with breathtaking views over the Wadden Sea area. Whether you want to get lost on purpose or take a short walk with the children here, anything is possible.
The Volharding
To be able to enjoy ‘the Volharding’ you better bring binoculars. This nature reserve has been cordoned off to allow the special birds that live there to breed peacefully. In the vicinity of this salt marsh, you can camp on an insanely beautiful spot, as described above.
In the vicinity of this salt marsh, you can camp on an insanely beautiful spot, as described above. A true spectacle for the birdwatchers,
The Eierland dunes
These dunes form the remnant of the island of Eierland, which when the Wadden Islands came into being about nine hundred years ago, lay between Texel and Vlieland. They are therefore the oldest dunes on Texel. Because of the composition of the soil, exceptionally many flowers bloom here in spring, an amazing sight. The lighthouse of Texel watches over this centuries-old piece of island.
How to get to Texel and the Cocksdorp
From Den Helder, Texel is easy to reach by ferry from Teso. From the Waddenhaven on Texel, you takethe Texelhopper, this van drives all over the island and also stops in the Cocksdorp. After this it’s a short walk before you’re up to your ankles in the beach.
Do you want a real Wadden experience? Consider taking an authentic sailing ship to Texel. This can be done from the harbour of Enkhuizen or Harlingen, for example. You can choose whether you want to make a day trip or a multi-day trip. Get on board alone, with your family or your colleagues and sail to Oudeschildand visit the Cocksdorp.
For more information about sailing to Texel, please contact us.
