Frequently asked questions about the beach in Nieuwpoort

Where can you rent a beach cabin in Nieuwpoort?

In Nieuwpoort Kabienen rents out beach cabins and beach chairs between the Hendrikaplein and the Leopoldplein.

• Also: the Kabyn beach bar and sale of ice cream and drinks.

Is there an accessible beach for people with disabilities in Nieuwpoort?

Yes, Nieuwpoort has an accessible beach run by Zon, Zee… Zorgeloos in summer, on the Zeedijk by the Leopoldplein.

• Access: a concrete path on the beach, accessible toilet, shower and changing room, beach wheelchairs, a Tiralo and assistants.
• When: 1 July to 31 August, daily from 10.30 to 18.30; free, but book on +32 498 92 92 79.
• Beach mats: from 15 June to 15 September mats are laid at the Hendrikaplein, De Barkentijn, the Goethalsstraat, Lefebvrestraat, Brabantstraat and Meeuwenlaan.
• Outside the season: borrow a beach wheelchair at the Veurnestraat first-aid post (15 to 30 June and 1 to 15 September) or at the information office on the Hendrikaplein (tel. +32 58 22 44 68).

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Can you make a campfire on the beach in Nieuwpoort?

No, as in all Belgian coastal municipalities, lighting a fire on the beach in Nieuwpoort is forbidden unless the municipality gives permission in advance.

• Barbecue: barbecues on the beach are not allowed without permission either.
• Permission: apply in good time to the municipality of Nieuwpoort.

Are restaurants, beach pavilions and shops in Nieuwpoort open in the low season?

Most shops, beach clubs, bars, terraces and restaurants remain open during the weekends in the low season. Many are also open throughout the week.

Each year the low season in Nieuwpoort begins after the autumn holidays till the beginning of the spring holidays. Several shops, beach clubs and restaurants use this period to rebuild, renew or for vacation. As a result, during this low season period, not all stores are opened every day.

Furthermore there is no general period when all the restaurants, bars and shops are closed. All entrepreneurs determine the temporary closure individually. Therefore is there are, also in the low season, enough shops and restaurants opened for you to enjoy.

Can you ride horses on the beach in Nieuwpoort, and where can you book a beach ride?

Yes, but in Nieuwpoort horses are banned from the beach between 08:00 and 19:00 from 1 June to 15 September.

• Beach rides: there is no riding school in Nieuwpoort itself, but Manege Ter Duinen in Oostduinkerke rides along the beach from Nieuwpoort.
• Always: never ride above the high-water line, only on bridle paths in the dunes, and at a walk by the shortest route to the waterline.

Are there public showers on the beach in Nieuwpoort?

Yes, several beaches in Nieuwpoort have free outdoor showers in season.

• Including: Leopoldplein, Sandeshooft, Badinstallatie.
• Season: the beach showers are in place from early May to late September.

Is the beach in Nieuwpoort free to access?

Yes, the beach in Nieuwpoort is free to access.

• Costs: for example parking and renting a sunbed, windbreak or beach cabin.

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Nieuwpoort?

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Nieuwpoort during the period 15 June till 15 September.
• Outside of the above mentioned period are only leased dogs allowed on the beaches of Nieuwpoort.

Further, we also recommend reading the information board, with the local beach rules, which is often placed near every beach (entrance).

Nearest dog-friendly beach near Nieuwpoort

[svg-dog-on-leash]Leashed dogs are allowed all year round:

• from Christal Palace beach (at the Idyllelaan) heading west towards the border with the city of Nieuwpoort;
• between the Groenendijk beach (at the Paardevissersweg) heading towards Oostduinkerke up to the F. Timmermanslaan (length of dog beach ±1,625 meters).

These zones are indicated by a blue sign with the figure of a white dog.

Where is kitesurfing allowed in Nieuwpoort?

Kitesurfing is not allowed everywhere on the Belgian coast, only in designated zones, usually near a water sports club.

• Club: Surfclub Windekind, Zuidenwindhelling 1, Oostduinkerke, www.surfclub-windekind.be.
• Rules: follow the local clubs' rules and the lifeguards' instructions; during the bathing season kitesurfing is banned near the swimming zones.

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Can you rent a beach chair, sunbed, parasol or windbreak on the beach in Nieuwpoort?

Yes, at beach bars and beach equipment rental points in Nieuwpoort you can rent sunbeds, beach chairs, parasols and windbreaks by the day.

• Booking: usually you rent on the spot; on busy summer days it helps to arrive early or book ahead.

Where can you find information about the quality of the sea water in Nieuwpoort?

Current information on bathing water quality on the coast near Nieuwpoort is available from the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) (in Dutch).

• Bathing season: in summer the VMM and the Departement Zorg regularly test the water in the bathing zones along the coast.
• Swimming: preferably swim in a supervised zone and follow the flags and instructions of the lifeguards.

What does the Blue Flag on the beach mean?

The Blue Flag is an international environmental award, granted annually to beaches and marinas that participate in the campaign and have proven to be clean and safe.

The goal of the Blue Flag programme is to continuously involve governments, entrepreneurs, and recreational users in the care for clean and safe water, beautiful nature, and a healthy environment. Holding a Blue Flag is a recognition of the efforts made by the beach municipality or marina operator in this area. For tourists, the Blue Flag is internationally the recognition and quality symbol for good beaches and marinas.

What are the criteria for the beaches?

• The bathing water is of excellent quality.
• The beach is kept clean.
• There are enough toilets and waste bins on the beach.
• Rescue materials and a first aid post are available on the beach.
• Information activities are organized to protect the natural environment of the sea, beach, and dunes.

More information: https://www.blauwevlag.nl/

Can you borrow or rent a beach wheelchair in Nieuwpoort?

Yes, in Nieuwpoort you can borrow a beach wheelchair for free in summer.

• Zon, Zee… Zorgeloos: free beach wheelchairs and help from assistants, July and August, daily from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm; tel. +32 498 92 92 79.
• First aid post 1: on the Veurnestraat, the first aid post lends beach wheelchairs from 15 to 30 June and from 1 to 15 September.
• Electric: Zon, Zee… Zorgeloos also rents out an electric beach wheelchair, €5 per 90 minutes and free for under-18s.
• Outside the season: from 15 September to 15 June free of charge at the tourist office, Hendrikaplein 11, tel. +32 58 22 44 68.
• Use: you need someone to push, except with electric chairs.
• More information: overview of accessible beach facilities on the coast (Inter, in Dutch).

Is there a naturist beach in Nieuwpoort?

No, Nieuwpoort has no naturist beach; the only official naturist beach in Belgium is in Bredene.

• Where: on the beach of Bredene, on the border with De Haan.

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What are the rules for sea fishing from the beach in Nieuwpoort?

Sport fishing is allowed all year round from the eastern pier of Newport.

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