Frequently asked questions about the beach in Dishoek

Are the beach pavilions in Dishoek open in winter?

Yes, some of the beach pavilions in Dishoek are open in winter as well, mainly at weekends.

• All year: year-round pavilions are often open in winter; seasonal pavilions are taken down.
• Tip: check the opening hours with the pavilion beforehand.

Are barbecues allowed on the beach in Dishoek?

For reasons of public safety, the use of barbecues – as well as any open fire, such as campfires, fire pits or grills – is strictly prohibited on the beach of Dishoek at all times.

Barbecues held indoors or on the terrace of a beach pavilion are exempt from this rule and allowed, provided they are arranged in consultation with the respective pavilion.

Can you light a campfire on the beach in Dishoek?

For reasons of public safety, the use of barbecues – as well as any open fire, such as campfires, fire pits or grills – is strictly prohibited on the beach of Dishoek at all times.

Barbecues held indoors or on the terrace of a beach pavilion are exempt from this rule and allowed, provided they are arranged in consultation with the respective pavilion.

Where is the nearest slipway in Dishoek?

The nearest slipway is at Zuiderhoofdweg 1 in Westkapelle.

• Exemption: you need an exemption from the municipality of Veere to use it (in Dutch).

Display Zuiderhoofdweg 1, Westkapelle
on the map

Is the beach in Dishoek free to access?

Yes, the beach in Dishoek is free to access.

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

Can you fly a drone around Dishoek?

You may fly a drone as an individual in the vicinity of Dishoek if you adhere to the rules. Just as on the road, safety in the air is important—for both you and others. These rules are designed to keep drone flying safe.

1. Check your drone and your liability insurance.
2. Do not fly over people, (rail)roads, buildings, and other structures. Advice: maintain at least 50 metres distance.
3. You must give way to all other aircraft and maintain distance from them.
4. You must fly at a safe distance from people and buildings.
5. You must always be able to see your drone.
6. You are not allowed to fly in the dark.
7. Do not fly higher than 120 metres.
8. Stay away from airports and other no-fly zones (at least 3 kilometres).
9. Filming or photography: respect everyone's privacy.
10. Flying over Natura 2000 areas (protected nature reserves) is not permitted.

The current drone regulations (for the vicinity of Dishoek) can be found on the website of the Dutch government:
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/drones.

However, drone regulations frequently change and are generally becoming stricter. We therefore advise you to regularly check if the current drone regulations have changed.

Commercial use of a drone?

You may only fly a drone commercially if you have a licence. You can apply for this licence at the Inspection for Living Environment and Transport (Il&T).

Commercial use is considered if you intend to make money with the drone, such as video production companies making aerial recordings. It may also be that you need a drone for your business operations. This applies, for example, to inspection companies wanting to view hard-to-reach places. In these cases, commercial use is also considered.

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

Yes, but in the municipality of Veere horses are banned from the beach during the bathing season, from 1 May to 15 September, between 10:00 and 19:00; outside those times you may ride there.

• Beach rides: Manege De Zwaanhoek in Koudekerke has a bridle path to the beach a few hundred metres away and also runs pony camps; Manege De IJslander offers beach and countryside rides.
• Bridle routes: the bridle route network on Walcheren is over 200 km long, 19 km of it along the beach; use the designated beach crossings and stay on the bridle paths in nature areas.

Can you rent a hooded beach chair (strandkorf) in Dishoek?

As far as we know, there are no hooded beach chairs for rent on the beaches in Dishoek.

• Alternative: many beach pavilions rent out sunbeds and windbreaks.

Is there a naturist beach in Dishoek?

The nearest naturist beach for Dishoek is southwest of Domburg.

• Where: between beach crossings 50. De 7 Golven and 51. Golflinks Oost, by the golf course towards Westkapelle.
• Also: near Oostkapelle there is a naturist beach northwards from the Duinweg beach access.
• More information: an overview of all naturist beaches is available from the Naturisten Federatie Nederland.

Display Nudistenstrand Domburg
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Where can you rent a beach cabin in Dishoek?

Beach cabins on the beaches of Dishoek and Westduin can be rented from Elly Oostdijk Recreatie, among others.

• Where: by the Zilvermeeuw and Kaapduin dune crossings.
• Contact: tel. +31 118 553 175.
• Tip: many accommodations also offer beach cabins to their guests.

Where is there wheelchair-friendly beach access in Dishoek?

The best wheelchair access to the beach in Dishoek is the Kaapduin beach crossing at the main beach post.

• Toilet: the main beach post has an accessible toilet, open all year.
• Beach wheelchair: you can borrow a beach wheelchair free of charge at the main beach post.
• Note: there is no beach mat in Dishoek; the sand down to the waterline is soft.

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Dishoek?

• Only leashed dogs are allowed on the beaches of Dishoek during the period 1 May till 15 September between 10:00 till 19:00.
• Outside of the above mentioned period and time are dogs allowed (both loose and leased) on the beaches of Dishoek.

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

Is there transport over the dune to the beach in Dishoek for older and less mobile visitors?

Yes, in season a gator in Dishoek takes less mobile beach visitors over the dune to their spot on the beach.

• Gator: a small open utility vehicle suitable for beach and dunes.
• Booking: via the beach post at Kaapduin, tel. +31 118 551 341; arrangements until 6 pm.

Where can you surf or take surf lessons in Dishoek?

Dishoek has no surf school, but when there are waves the small beach between the dunes is fine for surfing or bodyboarding on your own.

• Surf lessons: for lessons and rental, go to De Surf Club in Domburg, about 15 km away.
• Nearby: people also surf along the seafront of Vlissingen when the wind is right.
• Note: because of the nearby Westerschelde the current can be strong; only go in if you are experienced.

Are there public showers on the beach in Dishoek?

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

• Season: the beach showers are in place from early May to late September.

Is metal detecting allowed on the beach in Dishoek?

As far as we know, yes: amateurs may search with a metal detector on the beach in Dishoek.

• Rules: heritage law, weapons law and the local bylaws (APV) also apply on the beach; valuable finds must be reported to the municipality.
• Municipality: Dishoek belongs to the municipality of Veere, which can ban detecting through its bylaws; if in doubt, check the current rules.
• Dunes: searching in the dunes is prohibited, to protect nature and the sea defences.
• Tidy up: always fill in any holes you dig.

Can you borrow or rent a beach wheelchair in Dishoek?

Yes, in Dishoek you can borrow a beach wheelchair during the beach season.

• Beach and lifeguard post: beach crossing Kaapduin, tel. +31 118 551 341.
• Over the dune: the beach post can also take you over the dune to the beach in a small utility vehicle (gator).
• Season: usually from June to September.
• Booking: call ahead, the number of chairs is limited; use is often free.
• Use: for beach and sea only; you need someone to push.

Display Kaapduinseweg
on the map

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

Yes, at most beach pavilions in Dishoek 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.

Are restaurants, beach pavilions and shops in Dishoek 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 Dishoek 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 walk in the dunes in Dishoek off the paths?

No, the dunes in Dishoek are off limits outside the paths.

• Why: the dunes protect the land from the sea and are almost everywhere a protected nature reserve; walking on them damages the vegetation.
• Allowed: Walking and cycling on the marked dune paths.
• Nature: picking plants and disturbing animals is prohibited by law.

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/

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

• Sea fishing from the beach at [place name] in the North Sea and Western Scheldt is allowed all year round and throughout the day. Therefore, please be mindful of other beach and sea users when casting your line.
• No licence is required to fish in the sea from the beach. However, fishing in the Veerse Meer (and other inland waters) does require a fishing licence and a fishing permit.
• Even though sea fishing from the beach is permitted all year, one rule remains; be considerate of each other!

Additionally, we advise always consulting the local beach information boards for the latest and any (temporary) changes to the restrictions. These boards can be found at most access paths to the beach.

Where can you find information on the sea water quality in Dishoek?

Up-to-date information on the bathing water quality at Dishoek is available on zwemwater.nl.

• Status: good (safe to swim), warning (swimming allowed, possible health risk), negative swimming advice and swimming ban.
• Bathing season: from 1 May to 1 October the province measures the quality at the official bathing sites.
• Out of season: there are no measurements; you decide for yourself whether swimming is safe.

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