In summer there are lots of tourists here, but in the off-season you'll only meet a few holidaymakers in search of peace and quiet, autumn storms and the clatter of chimneys, as well as a handful of hard-core surfers, of course.
Travelling to Hvide Sande
From Hamburg, head north along the A7 motorway, past Flensburg and you're already in Denmark. You now have just 200 kilometres to go to Hvide Sande, for which you will need three hours due to the speed limit of 90 km/h maximum and a good stretch of country roads - time in which you can admire the changing landscape at your leisure. You usually take the E45 towards Kolding, where you change to the E20 towards Esbjerg. Just before the town, turn onto the 11 and follow the signs to Varde. Leave the town on the 181 towards Nymindegabvej. From Nymindegab it is then a 20-minute drive north on the 181 until you pass the town signs for Hvide Sande.
Wind & Weather
The best time to visit is from the end of April to October, when the temperature should usually be above the magical 10-degree mark. In terms of wind, you'll have good days all year round - the wind is naturally strongest in spring and autumn, but there are also strong low-pressure systems in summer that make for great hours on the water. The Ringkøbing Fjord, which is a good 15 kilometres wide and 30 kilometres long, often acts as a weather corridor: Sunshine in the north and shit weather in the south or vice versa. You will find the wind accordingly.
Hvide Sande - the spot
If you are looking for flat water, a standing area and perhaps a bit of comfort, the fjord side is just right. There is the Hvide Sande Nord spot to the north of the village and the Argab spot to the south. With their standing areas of more than 500 metres, you don't need to worry about the westerly wind blowing offshore. If the strong westerly wind lasts for a long time, it can get very shallow here - watch out for shallows! Even with foils, things can get tight depending on the water level. Together with fair weather conditions, the wind typically comes from the east and therefore onshore across the approximately 15 kilometre wide Ringkøbing Fjord, giving you bump and jump conditions.
If you want to let off steam in the waves, you should take a look at the North Sea side. In addition to many other spots along the coast, you will find them directly in the village south of the harbour pier. Known as Hvide Sande South, clean waves roll in here when the wind blows from the NNW. The closer you are to the stone breakwater, the lower the shorebreak - but you shouldn't get too close if the waves are big - then the breakwater can pose a real danger. You'll find the best conditions at low tide. If there is a deep depression running through, with a bit of luck you may also be able to catch some good surfing conditions.
In Hvide Sande, you have two surf schools to choose from. Both are run by Westwind and offer windsurfing courses as well as kitesurfing courses on the fjord. You can store your equipment in so-called rig barns directly at the spot, hire equipment (from various boards to sails, paddles, harnesses and wetsuits) or browse through the respective shops. On the North Sea side, you can paddle SUP or learn to surf under instruction, and there is also a small café behind the dune.
Living & Camping
Denmark is probably the country of holiday homes. There are centralised agencies in every village, or you can book one of the many cottages online before your trip. The choice is huge. Prices vary depending on the season - especially in spring and autumn, you can often rent beautiful cottages - usually with a fireplace, sometimes even with a sauna to warm up after a cold surf session. For those who bring their own four walls: There are numerous car parks along the North Sea coast, often free of charge, for day trips to the beach. However, you are not allowed to park there at night - while the Danes used to be quite accommodating, this is now controlled and penalised. One of the few exceptions is the car park behind the dune at the pier: you can stay overnight here for a fee, and there is also a sanitary building with showers as well as a (cold) outdoor shower and waste disposal facilities. The charm of the gravelled area behind the fish factories is somewhat rustic, but on good days the surf scene gathers here. There are also numerous campsites near the spot and the water where you can stay at normal prices and also enjoy a hot shower after surfing. Most campsites are usually only open in the summer season.
Especially in the summer months, the cosy fishing village of Hvide Sande is very lively and offers everything from lovely restaurants to quaint shops. On windless days, a cycle tour along the coast or along the fjord is well worthwhile - the cycle paths here are well developed. Right next to the spot Hvide Sande Nord you will find a Wakeboard facility in a class of its own. On stormy days, a walk along the North Sea beach is worthwhile for all non-surfers (and maybe even the odd surfer)!
Would you also like to discover the other beaches and spots in Denmark? You can find detailed travel reports with lots of information about the spots along the coast in our Denmark area!
