Frequently asked questions about beach in Nieuwpoort

All information about horse riding on the beach or in the environment (including local riding schools) can be found on the riding page: https://nieuwpoort.org/en/horseback-riding.php

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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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/

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.

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.

Yes, Nieuwpoort has an accessible Zon, Zee… Zorgeloos beach in summer.

• What is offered: free beach wheelchairs, an adapted toilet and care room, a paved path onto the beach and assistants who help with transfers, changing and toilet visits.
• When: July and August, daily from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.
• Contact: tel. +32 498 92 92 79; booking is possible but not required.
• Please note: the assistants are not nurses and do not provide intimate care.
• More information: overview of accessible beach facilities on the coast (Inter, in Dutch).

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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.

The traffic with horses is always prohibited:
- On the beach above the high water line;
- In the dunes, unless its purpose built riding trails.

And moreover, the riding is prohibited during the period from 1 June to 15 September, and between 08.00 and 19.00.

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.

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: near the Veurnelaan, 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).

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

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.

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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Yes, the beach in Nieuwpoort is free to access.

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

• 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.