Frequently asked questions about the beach in Oostkapelle

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 fly a drone around Oostkapelle?

You may not fly a drone over the dunes and beach near Oostkapelle (a protected Natura 2000 area).

You may fly a drone as an individual in the vicinity of Oostkapelle 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 Oostkapelle) 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 Oostkapelle, 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 Duno in Oostkapelle offers beach rides for experienced riders and combined forest and beach rides; De Dankbare also offers beach rides for beginners and experienced riders.
• Children: at Ponyhof in Aagtekerke there are beach rides almost all year and pony camps for children.
• 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.

Where is the nearest slipway in Oostkapelle?

The nearest slipway is at Zuiderhoofdweg 1 in Westkapelle.

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

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Is the beach in Oostkapelle free to access?

Yes, the beach in Oostkapelle is free to access.

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

Are the beach pavilions in Oostkapelle open in winter?

Yes, some of the beach pavilions in Oostkapelle 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 restaurants, beach pavilions and shops in Oostkapelle 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 Oostkapelle 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 rent a beach chair, sunbed, parasol or windbreak on the beach in Oostkapelle?

Yes, at most beach pavilions in Oostkapelle 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 barbecues allowed on the beach in Oostkapelle?

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 Oostkapelle 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.

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Oostkapelle?

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Oostkapelle 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 Oostkapelle.

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

Nearest beach for dogs at Oostkapelle

Leashed dogs are allowed all year from beach 64. Berkenbosch in the direction Domburg.

Can you walk in the dunes in Oostkapelle off the paths?

No, the dunes in Oostkapelle 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 are the rules for sea fishing from the beach in Oostkapelle?

• 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.

Is metal detecting allowed on the beach in Oostkapelle?

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

• Rules: heritage law, weapons law and the local bylaws (APV) also apply on the beach; valuable finds must be reported to the municipality.
• Municipality: Oostkapelle 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 light a campfire on the beach in Oostkapelle?

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 Oostkapelle 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.

Are there public showers on the beach in Oostkapelle?

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

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

Can you borrow or rent a beach wheelchair in Oostkapelle?

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

• Beach and lifeguard post: beach crossing Duinweg, tel. +31 118 583 577.
• 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 Duinweg
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Where is there wheelchair-friendly beach access in Oostkapelle?

The best wheelchair access to the beach in Oostkapelle is the Duinweg beach crossing at the main beach post.

• Beach mat: from mid-July a mobi-mat is laid over the sand here.
• Toilet: the new main beach post has an accessible toilet, open all year.
• Beach wheelchair: you can borrow a beach wheelchair or a Tiralo free of charge at the main beach post.
• Vrouwenpolder: the Breezand beach crossing is passable by wheelchair and has an accessible toilet and a beach wheelchair.

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Where can you surf or take surf lessons in Oostkapelle?

Oostkapelle has no surf school of its own, but it lies right between two water sports spots: Domburg for wave surfing and Vrouwenpolder for kitesurfing.

• Wave surfing: surf lessons, SUP and rental at De Surf Club in Domburg, about 4 km to the west.
• Kitesurfing: kite lessons at Vertigo Sports on the beach of Vrouwenpolder, about 4 km to the east; there is a separate kite corridor there, suitable for beginners.
• Note: near Vrouwenpolder the current can be strong when the gates of the Oosterscheldekering are open.

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

Up-to-date information on the bathing water quality at Oostkapelle 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.

Where can you rent a beach cabin in Oostkapelle?

Would you like to enjoy a carefree beach day without constantly dragging chairs, towels, or toys around? With your own beach cabin, everything is right at your fingertips. At the end of the day, you simply close the door – and everything stays safe for the next sun-filled day. That’s how a relaxing beach holiday in Oostkapelle should be!

Renting beach cabins in Oostkapelle

• Booking: Beach cabins on the beach of Oostkapelle can easily be booked online here.

In addition, many accommodations – from hotels to holiday home rentals – offer beach cabins for their guests. Especially during the summer season, this is a popular extra service. Don’t hesitate to ask your host about it!

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

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

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

Is there a naturist beach in Oostkapelle?

Yes, the naturist beach of Oostkapelle starts at the Duinweg beach access and runs north towards the Veerse Gatdam.

• Tip: the beach by the Oranjezon nature reserve is wide and quiet; from the car park it is a walk through woods and dunes.
• More information: an overview of all naturist beaches is available from the Naturisten Federatie Nederland.

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