📷 Photo by Vishwas Katti on UnsplashMaeslantkering
Hoek van Holland, Netherlands
The storm-surge barrier that guards Rotterdam: two floating gates, each as long as the Eiffel Tower is tall, lying open on the banks of the Nieuwe Waterweg. The visitor centre explains how it closes.
The Maeslantkering is a storm surge barrier in the Nieuwe Waterweg near Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands. It was built between 1991 and 1997, operates fully automatically and protects South Holland and Rotterdam from North Sea storm surges. Together with the Hartelkering and the widened dikes at Rozenburg it forms the Europoortkering. It is designed for storm surges of up to 5 metres above mean sea level.
The barrier consists of two movable doors which, according to the operator, are each 210 metres wide and 22 metres high. To close, they float into the waterway and are sunk, which takes about two hours. The ball joints that attach the arms to the shore are 10 metres in diameter and weigh 680 tonnes each. The barrier first closed in a storm on 9 November 2007.
At the Keringhuis visitors learn more about the technology and water management; Wikivoyage mentions admission of 2 euros, exhibition texts only in Dutch, and guided tours (4 euros), mostly in Dutch. You can view the barrier for free from the dune beside the visitor centre. Please check opening hours and tours (the information is undated) in advance.
- Nearest town
- Hoek van Holland, Netherlands
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 51.9556, 4.1639
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Netherlands: No motorway tolls for cars. 100 km/h on motorways between 6:00 and 19:00.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping AntoniushoeveCampsite3 km from MaeslantkeringTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Hoek van HollandCampsite5 km from MaeslantkeringTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Mini Camping RoosCampsite7 km from MaeslantkeringTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Hoeve BouwlustCampsite8 km from MaeslantkeringTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Het ZonneveldCampsite10 km from MaeslantkeringTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- ZwetzoneCampsite10 km from MaeslantkeringTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Netherlands · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Maeslantkering?
Maeslantkering is in Hoek van Holland, Netherlands, at GPS 51.9556, 4.1639. It is about 15 km from Hellevoetsluis.
Can you camp near Maeslantkering?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Antoniushoeve, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 64 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Maeslantkering?
Maeslantkering is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Zeeland and the Delta Works.
What is there to see near Maeslantkering?
Places worth a stop nearby: Delft Market Square (15 km), Mauritshuis (17 km), Scheveningen Pier (19 km) and Cube Houses (23 km).
When is the best time to visit Maeslantkering?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)