Rockanje is a relaxed seaside village on the western side of the island of Voorne, surrounded by densely vegetated dunes and with a wide North Sea beach.
Sunny beach:the beach faces south and flies the Blue Flag.
Room for action: plenty of space for water sports or simply for some peace and quiet.
Quiet village:the village is small but friendly, with sights such as the castle ruin nearby.
Special nature: spoonbills and cormorants breed in the dunes.
Good food: after a day by the sea you are seated in no time, read more under food and drink.
With the family: safe, calm water and tips for children and events.
Rockanje has a wide North Sea beach with a distinctive feature you will find nowhere else on this coast.
Facing south: the beach faces south, so there is a good chance the sun sits directly overhead, ideal for a day of sunbathing.
Safe for children: the sandbanks off the coast break the current, so the sea stays calm and children can play in it safely.
Awarded the Blue Flag: Rockanje ranks among the ten cleanest beaches in the Netherlands and holds the Blue Flag, an international environmental accreditation.
Swimming safely: during the summer holidays lifeguards and a first-aid post are on hand every day, so you can go into the water with peace of mind.
Water sports and space
The wide beach offers all the room you need, whether you want to be active or are simply after some calm.
Plenty of water sports: on the beach you can surf, parasail and sea kayak, and on the south side of the Haringvlietdam you can take to the water on a jet ski.
Into the deep: on the other side of the coast there is even a spot for deep-sea diving, unusual for a Dutch resort.
Calm at the edges: if you are after quiet, walk onto the beach at the western or eastern end and let the soothing sounds of the sea carry you along.
The naturist beach: north of the main beach lies a separate naturist beach, tucked quietly against the dunes.
The village
The village itself is quiet and known mainly for its beach, but it has plenty to offer in its own right.
Easy-going and welcoming: Rockanje is a place where you quickly feel at home, with a relaxed atmosphere that lingers all year round.
Terraces and conviviality: around the village and the beach you will find convivial terraces for a bite and a drink, plus a few hotels.
A unique dune area: the densely vegetated dunes around the village make Rockanje a green resort, unlike the barer dunes elsewhere along the coast.
Plenty of activities: activities are organised regularly on and around the beach, giving the village a lively feel in season.
Sights
The surroundings of Rockanje have something for everyone, from culture to a genuine ruin.
De Duinhuisjes open-air museum: at this open-air museum you travel back to the early twentieth century, with three dune cottages full of original furnishings, wells, carriages and flower gardens.
A famous resident: the best-known resident of the castle was Jacqueline of Bavaria, who lived here for a time around 1430. After she left, the building fell into decline, and today only an outbuilding and the ruin remain.
More to discover: the area also has various museums and viewpoints worth a visit.
Dunes and nature
The dunes beside Rockanje are among the most important nature areas in Western Europe, and you notice it in the wealth of plants and wildlife.
Protected nature: in the dune area you can walk, cycle, skate and ride to your heart's content, with plenty of beautiful nature along the way.
Special birds: at the Quackjeswater a colony of spoonbills breeds, and at the Bredewater you will find cormorants, a delight for anyone who loves birds.
Water nearby: the nearby Oostvoornse Meer is a large recreation area where water sports enthusiasts are thoroughly catered for.
Different every season: in spring the dunes flower, in summer they hum with life, and in winter you often have the paths entirely to yourself.
Food and drink
After a day on the beach or in the dunes, you are seated at a table in no time in Rockanje.
The liveliest streets: in the village, most terraces are around the Dorpsplein, and at the beach entrance on the Tweede Slag the brasserie puts you practically by the sea.
Beach pavilions: the various beach pavilions are the ideal place to relax, with a view of the sea and your feet almost in the sand.
Terraces in the village: in and around the village you will find convivial terraces for a bite and a drink, just a little out of the wind.
North Sea fish: fresh fish naturally features on the menu here, with a herring or a portion of kibbeling as a true Dutch classic.
For every moment: from an ice cream on the beach square to an elaborate dinner, Rockanje's eateries know how to handle a hungry visitor.
With children in Rockanje
Rockanje is very much a family resort, and that begins with the safe, calm water.
Safe paddling: because the sandbanks break the current, the sea stays calm and even the youngest can play in the water safely.
Playing on the beach: the wide beach offers all the room you need for sandcastles and kites, and there is plenty of play equipment available.
Back in time: a visit to De Duinhuisjes or the ruin at Oostvoorne is a little adventure for children.
Nature of note: the dunes around Rockanje connect with some of the most important nature areas in Western Europe, with endless scope for walking and cycling.
Staying in Rockanje
From a holiday park in the dunes to a tent by the beach, there is an option here for every budget.
Holiday parks: around Rockanje lie various holiday parks such as Cape Helius, Poort van Zeeland, Rondeweibos and Waterbos, often with every facility for the family.
Apartments by the sea: an apartment close to the beach means the surf is within reach.
Hotels and B&Bs: from a cosy bed and breakfast to a well-appointed hotel, ideal for a short weekend away.
Camping in the green: at the campsites nearby you sleep with the sound of the sea in the background. Have a look at the last minutes too for a sharp deal.
Practical information
A few things are handy to know before you set off for the coast.
Getting there: Rockanje is easily reached by car via the A15 and the N57, with Rotterdam around three-quarters of an hour away.
Two beach entrances: both beach entrances have large car parks, with plenty of room for car and bike.
Parking: on sunny days the beach entrances still fill up, so come early for a spot near the beach square.
Best time to visit: summer is about beach, sun and water sports, while spring and autumn offer calm, beautiful light and empty dunes.
Clearing your head: blowing away the cobwebs on a long beach walk is the finest way to leave the bustle behind.
A south-facing beach with the Blue Flag, calm water for the children and dunes of European standing: Rockanje lives up to its name as an oasis of calm every single time.
