Frequently asked questions about the beach in Blankenberge

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

Yes, at beach bars and beach equipment rental points in Blankenberge 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.

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

In Blankenberge horses are banned from the beach and dunes from the Easter holidays until 15 September; the rest of the year you may ride there.

• Riding school: there is no riding school offering beach rides in Blankenberge itself; the nearest riding schools are inland near Zuienkerke.
• 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.

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

[Answer in Dutch]

Niemand mag zonder vergunning hengelen van op de Pier en/of van op Ooster- en Westerstaketsel.

Hengelen van op de Pier is verboden tussen 10.00 uur en 19.00 uur in de periode van 1 juli tot en met 31 augustus. In de periode dat het hengelen van op de Pier toegelaten is, moet er haaks op de waterlijn gevist worden (recht in zee) en mogen er geen vislijnen terecht komen in de zone naast de Pier waar watersporten plaatsvinden.

Hengelen van op het Ooster- en Westerstaketsel is altijd toegelaten. In de periode dat het hengelen van op het Ooster- en Westerstaketsel toegelaten is, moet er haaks op de waterlijn gevist worden (recht in zee) en mogen er geen vislijnen terecht komen in de vaarzone van de havengeul.

Meer info: https://www.blankenberge.be/Toerisme/Nederlands/Home/Varia/Andere/Hengelen/page.aspx/2299

Is the beach in Blankenberge free to access?

Yes, the beach in Blankenberge is free to access.

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

Can you make a campfire on the beach in Blankenberge?

No, as in all Belgian coastal municipalities, lighting a fire on the beach in Blankenberge 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 Blankenberge.

What does the Blue Flag on the beach in Blankenberge 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 Blankenberge?

Blankenberge has no beach wheelchairs of its own, but you can book adapted beach equipment from Beachmobility.

• Beachmobility: along the whole coast, by reservation; tel. +32 492 08 89 55, info@beachmobility.be.
• Use: you need someone to push, except with electric chairs.
• More information: overview of accessible beach facilities on the coast (Inter, in Dutch).

Where is there wheelchair-friendly beach access in Blankenberge?

In Blankenberge you can get onto the beach in a wheelchair via the paved passage next to the Charlierhelling, beside the Casino; signs on the Zeedijk show the way.

• Second passage: there is also a paved passage at the Van Praethelling.
• Beach wheelchair: Blankenberge does not lend beach wheelchairs itself; Beachmobility, Blankenbergse Dijk 156, rents them out for the whole coast (tel. +32 492 08 89 55).
• Accessible beach: Blankenberge does not take part in Zon, Zee… Zorgeloos; the nearest one is in Wenduine.

Where is kitesurfing allowed in Blankenberge?

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

• Club: Beachclub Blankenberge, www.beachclubblankenberge.be.
• Rules: follow the local clubs' rules and the lifeguards' instructions; during the bathing season kitesurfing is banned near the swimming zones.

Display Beachclub Blankenberge
on the map

Is there a naturist beach in Blankenberge?

No, Blankenberge 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.

Display Nudistenstrand Bredene
on the map

Are restaurants, beach pavilions and shops in Blankenberge 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 Blankenberge 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.

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

Current information on bathing water quality on the coast near Blankenberge 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.

Are there public showers on the beach in Blankenberge?

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

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

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Blankenberge?

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Blankenberge during the period from Easter vacation till 15 September.
• Outside of the above mentioned period are only leased dogs allowed on the beaches of Blankenberge.

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 Blankenberge

Leashed dogs are allowed all year:

• from beach Duinse Polders in the direction Zeebrugge;
• from beach Harendijke in the direction De Haan.

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