Beaches
The most popular and crowded beach of Oostende lies in front of the Koninklijke Gaanderijen. You will find a less crowded stretch of beach east of the jetty, nearby the fort. The beach is separated from the pleasant city by a wide boulevard. On hot summer days, the sand beach is crowded with sunbathers, but it is primarily a family-friendly beach. The beach is a couple of kilometres in length and on average between 50-110 metres wide.
A sunbath or a walk along the beach, playing fun or water sports. The very well maintained, white beaches of Oostende will offer you peace and quietness. The beaches, with showers to rinse of the salt seawater, will be cleaned everyday. Besides the rescue brigade will guard the beaches and warns when there is a dangerous current or wind; a pleasant and safe feeling.
On the beaches and in the surf you can practice a variety of spectacular recreation forms. Other surf disciplines are mobile short boards, and the calmer long boards, body boards, bodysurf with a small board in the hand, kneeboards on your knees and the skim boards on the thin water film that stays behind after every wave. On the wide beaches of the North seacoast you can drive a sail wagon or do some beach surfing.
Facilities
The beach at Oostende has many facilities for your comfort, including showers, toilets, beach pavilions, surf equipment rental, beachchairs and windscreens. It is easily accessible, there is sufficient parking space and a train station as well.
Optimum facilities will tribute to the comfort and with that the holiday pleasure of the guests. It starts with accessible beach crossings and parking places, the availability of public showers and restrooms, beach cabins, and dustbins. Then there are the lifeguards and the rescue brigade whom watch over the well being of the guests, with a First aid post nearby. The possibility to rent beach-chairs, windshields and parasols is an extra comfort for our 'spoiled' bathing guests.
At the end the many beach pavilions will take care of the needs for serving drinks and snacks or lunch and diner.
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
Yes, but only under certain conditions. In some municipalities the beach is not accessible in certain areas or periods. Sometimes conditions apply. But generally there are exceptions for guide dogs.
The local regulations in Oostende:
From the Easter vacation until October 1, dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Oostende.
From 1 October until the Easter vacation, dogs are allowed on the beaches of Oostende.
On the beach from the Westlaan (Raversijde) to the border with Middelkerke: dogs are throughout the year allowed.
On the beach from the Halvemaandijk to the border with Bredene dogs allowed all year, but not in July and August and not during the Easter vacation.
Beach tips
- At low tide there is a strong current towards the sea, than stay close to shore. In case you get pulled in by the current do not try to swim straight against it, but swim slanting to the shore with the current. Also be aware of floating devices like air-beds, boats or other swimming devices.
- Do not get to close to the poles, piers or other obstacles.
- Watch your children carefully, do not let them alone near the water. Are there recognition signs on the beach, tell it to your children.
- Help to keep the beaches clean.
