Dishoek, peace on the coast below the dunes of Walcheren

Dishoek is a small, quiet coastal village at the foot of the dunes on the west coast of Walcheren, right between Vlissingen and Zoutelande.

• Sunny beach: a wide and quiet beach facing southwest, sheltered from the wind.
• Big ships: ocean-going ships sail past just off the coast, a unique sight on a beach walk.
• Food by the sea: fresh Zeeland flavours at the beach pavilions.
• Garden of Walcheren: discover the village and the green hinterland and the sights nearby.
• Active: walking, cycling and water sports along the dunes.
• Across the border: tips for day trips to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and Belgium.

Dishoek beach

The beach is Dishoek's great crowd-puller: wide, sunny and wonderfully quiet, with plenty to enjoy for young and old.

• Wide, spacious and peaceful: Dishoek's beach is broad and open, offering plenty of peace and space even during the high season. It is a pleasant alternative to the busier seaside resorts further along the coast.
• Sunshine and shelter: because the coastline here faces south-west, it receives plenty of sunshine and is often sheltered from the wind, making it ideal for a refreshing day out along the waterline.
• Two main beach entrances: the best-known beach entrance is Kaapduin, close to the Noordzee Résidence Dishoek holiday park. A little further towards Vlissingen is the Westduin entrance, near the hotel of the same name. During the season, the lifeguard service keeps watch at both locations, so always pay attention to the beach flags.
• For the whole family: children can swim safely, search for shells and shrimps, fly kites and build sandcastles, whatever the season.
• Everything you need: beach chairs, windbreaks and parasols can be hired from the beach pavilions. Special beach wheelchairs also make the beach easily accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Beach pavilions and dining by the sea

Along the coast at Dishoek you will find a handful of characterful beach pavilions, where you can enjoy a drink, a bite to eat or a full dinner with sea views, feet in the sand.

• Kaapduin: right beside the beach entrance is Kaapduin beach pavilion, an atmospheric spot with lounge seating and beanbags in the sand, south-facing views and a kitchen that uses local, seasonal produce.
• Piet Hein: a few stretches of beach further towards Vlissingen, you will find the relaxed Piet Hein beach pavilion. Decorated entirely in beach style, it is the kind of place you can walk into barefoot straight from the sand. With a little luck, freshly caught Dover sole will be on the menu.
• Kon-Tiki Beachclub: a little further towards Vlissingen is the Kon-Tiki Beachclub, an ideal place to enjoy a drink with your feet in the sand while the sun sets over the sea.
• Fresh flavours from Zeeland: the menus feature typical Zeeland flavours, ranging from generous seafood sharing platters to locally grown vegetables, often organic and sourced directly from local farmers or fishermen.

The village and the garden of Walcheren

Dishoek itself is small and understated, yet has a green and varied hinterland full of Zeeland charm within easy reach.

• Living beneath the dunes: Dishoek itself is small and understated, which is precisely what makes it so peaceful. For pavement cafés, shops and restaurants, simply hop on your bicycle and head to the nearby village of Koudekerke, with its welcoming village square.
• A typical Zeeland landscape: the area between the dunes and polders is filled with picturesque villages, historic farmhouses, orchards and narrow country lanes. Characteristic features include the welen, pools left behind by historic breaches in the dykes, and the mantelingen, wooded belts surrounding old country estates.
• Plenty to do nearby: for a little more activity, you can easily visit the surrounding places to eat and drink, playgrounds and wellness centres.

Nearby attractions

From Dishoek, Walcheren's best-known seaside resorts and historic towns are quickly within reach.

Walking, cycling and outdoor activities

The area around Dishoek is a paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors, whether you prefer walking, cycling or heading out onto the water.

• Walking along the dunes: a footpath runs almost continuously from Zoutelande to Vlissingen, passing through a magnificent natural landscape of dunes, heathland and polders. A popular circular walk of around fourteen kilometres follows the coast on the outward journey and returns through the countryside.
• Cycling through the polders: Walcheren has more than 140 kilometres of cycle paths, with numerous cycling routes passing country estates, traditional Zeeland farmhouses and villages. There are also plenty of attractive walking routes, horse-riding trails and inline-skating routes to explore.
• Water and adventure: enthusiasts can try paddleboarding or kitesurfing at sea, while the beach is also a wonderful place for horse riding. A particularly enjoyable activity for families is a donkey walk through the dunes

Day trips to Zeelandic Flanders and Belgium

Dishoek also makes an ideal base for a day trip across the Westerschelde, as the far side and even Belgium are closer than you might think.

• Crossing by ferry: from Vlissingen, the bicycle and passenger ferry takes you to Breskens and Zeelandic Flanders in just over twenty minutes, where you can visit places such as Sluis, Groede and Cadzand-Bad.
• Travelling through the tunnel: by car, the Western Scheldt Tunnel also provides quick access to the other side, making it ideal for anyone wishing to explore the coast of Zeelandic Flanders.
• Off to Belgium: in around an hour, you can reach the Flemish cities of Bruges and Ghent, or the West Flanders coast near Knokke, as Belgium is only a stone's throw away.