Den Helder is not a beach resort, but there is a stretch of North Sea beach accessible from the dunes south of Fort Kijkduin. The beach is backed by dunes and is wide and quiet outside high summer. The sea is cold — this is the North Sea — and the waves can be strong, but the beach is popular with dog walkers and windsurfers. The village of Huisduinen, just to the southwest, has a small lighthouse and is the best starting point for a beach walk.