The Oesterdam is a long dam with a road along the top and the Oosterschelde on its west side, and the kite zone is the water off the strip of sand at its foot. Shallow salt water, a line of yellow buoys and a big Zeeland sky. When the sand is out it is a forgiving place to learn and to drill tricks, and on a powered-up day that flat water feels like cheating.
When the tide covers it there is no spot at all, and you are standing on a dike eating your sandwich.
The water drops to about 6°C, the wind comes at you across open water, and you learn to get into a damp wetsuit behind the car door in seconds flat.
Your month
When it's good
12 kt+ for 3+ daylight hours · kite
January · 59%. 18 rideable days in 31, 6.6 hours a day over 12 kt. Bring a book.
At a glance
Is it for you?
Skill levelGetting there
WaterMillpond
Wind · JanUsually turns up
Crowds · JanBusy patches
Local vibeWelcoming
Water qualityUsually clean
NightlifeEarly nights
CostMid
Geek analysis
January in the record
59% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
Where the wind sits
Share of daylight hours in each speed band. Blue clears the bar.
4–710
8–1131
12–1536
16–1919
20–234
24–270
28–310
When in the day
The trades are a clock. A dawn session is a different spot.
8am
9
10
11
12pm
1pm
2
3
4
5
6pm
January on the record
The month's own figures, not the year's average.
Rideable days18 of 31Worst 1 in 1997, best 20 in 2008
Strongest gust66Kt
Air5.6°CMaximum
Record 1940 to 2026Normals 1991 to 2020Open-Meteo, CERRA
Take it with you
The full Oesterdam report
Eight sections over six to eight pages, built from the same record as this page. A PDF you can read on the plane.
01Hour-by-hour & month-by-month wind02The month's own records03Full stays, schools & kit04Per-launch tide windows05Oyster shell, tide & the concrete dike06Getting there, packing & best months07Sources, and their limits
Three free reports with an account, then premium.
WindChaser spot reportOesterdamZeeland, Netherlands · January59% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
When it gets busy
Crowds
Feb · Medium
Summer brings the crowds, from May to September. The windy winter months are quieter, with more room inside the buoys for the riders who brave the cold.
On the water
What January usually does
Wind directionN to S, via WThe safe directions the association lists for this spot. East blows offshore.
Wind strength12 to 24 ktThe range Salt Kitesurfschool runs lessons in. Size down when it builds.
When it blowsWhen the sand is outThe tide sets the window: until about two hours before high water and from about two hours after.
Your playground
Launches & safety
Local intel
Getting there & on the ground
Nearest airportAntwerp (ANR)About 34 km in a straight line. Rotterdam The Hague (RTM) and Brussels (BRU) are the bigger options.
On the groundOctober to MarchThe windiest months in the record, and February is the pick.
Getting aroundBy carNo public transport to the spot. Free parking on the road along the dam.
Stay, schools & kit
Who works this beach
Salt KitesurfschoolSchoolKiteIKOThe Oesterdam is where it teaches most often. Moves to the Grevelingendam, Vrouwenpolder or the Binnenschelde with the wind.Photo: SALT Kitesurfschool via Google
Kitesurfing ZeelandSchoolKiteMobile school that names the Oesterdam as its popular location. Late March into the autumn.Photo: Mark Gorter via Google
Did I miss something out?Send it straight to me. I wrote this page.
Did I miss something out?Send it straight to me. I wrote this page.