Treasure hunting on the beach: a morning in Noordwijk

LocalDutchWays Blog — Noordwijk, Bollenstreek — May 2026

Nobody finds an actual treasure chest. That is not really the point. The point is the digging, the anticipation, the moment a small hand hits something buried in the sand, and the ice cream that follows. Schatgraven Noordwijk is one of those local events that international visitors never stumble upon, and local families quietly treasure.

Cycling to the coast

Noordwijk is a short ride from Sassenheim, and the journey is part of the experience. You arrive at the boulevard without a single traffic jam, parking fee or wasted hour. You lock your bike next to the beach tent and walk straight onto the sand.

That is something worth saying out loud, because most visitors to the Dutch coast arrive by car. The difference in experience is significant. No stress, no searching, more time for everything that matters.

What is Schatgraven Noordwijk?

Every spring, the beach in Noordwijk fills with children up to age twelve, all hunting for buried treasure. Small chests are hidden in the sand, each one containing a surprise, and the proceeds from sponsor contributions go directly to a local good cause. This year the beneficiary is Huttenbouw Noordwijk, an initiative that gives children who cannot go on holiday during the summer a memorable week of building, creativity and fun.

The event is organised by Nederlandse Tafelronde RT115, a volunteer association that puts its energy into exactly this kind of community project. It runs from 11:00, with arrival from 10:30. Entry is free, though a contribution to the good cause is warmly welcomed.

An hour of pure chaos and joy

The digging itself takes about an hour. Children are focused in the way that only treasure hunters can be: fully committed, slightly frantic, getting sand absolutely everywhere. Parents help. Grandparents watch. Everyone pretends not to be competitive.

No treasure chest was found in our case. But every child who took part received an ice cream, and if we are being honest, that was the plan all along. The faces said everything.

The playground on the way home

The return route passes a large outdoor playground in Noordwijk Binnen that has become a reliable family favourite. We stopped, the children played, and the outing that was supposed to last a morning quietly stretched into the afternoon. This playground features on one of our family cycling routes to Noordwijk, and it earns its place every time.

What this kind of day is really about

Schatgraven is not on the tourist map. It does not appear in the Keukenhof brochure or the Amsterdam day-trip guides. It is a local event, run by local volunteers, for local families and anyone who happens to find their way there.

That is precisely why it belongs on a LocalDutchWays route. The bollenstreek is full of days like this one: free, unscripted, genuinely Dutch. You just need to know where to look.

Practical information

Schatgraven Noordwijk takes place annually on a Sunday in May on the Noordwijk beach. Entry is free. Children up to age twelve can participate. The event runs from 11:00, arrive from 10:30. A donation to the good cause is welcomed on arrival. Noordwijk is within easy cycling distance and sits on several LocalDutchWays family routes through the bollenstreek.

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