Frequently asked questions about the beach in Ostend

Are there public showers on the beach in Ostend?

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

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

Where is kitesurfing allowed in Ostend?

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

• Nearby: ask the lifeguards on site about the kite zones.
• Rules: follow the local clubs' rules and the lifeguards' instructions; during the bathing season kitesurfing is banned near the swimming zones.

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

In Ostend horse riding is banned from 15 May to 15 September between groyne 12 at the Diksmuidestraat and the Middelkerke border, and all year between the Diksmuidestraat and the Westerstaketsel.

• Access: via the Diksmuidestraat and the ramp opposite; in July and August horses may go into the water between 05:00 and 07:30 between the Diksmuidestraat and Middelkerke, see visitoostende.be.
• 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 does the Blue Flag on the beach in Ostend 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/

Are restaurants, beach pavilions and shops in Ostend 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 Ostend 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.

Is there a naturist beach in Ostend?

No, Ostend 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.

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Is there an accessible beach for people with disabilities in Ostend?

Yes, Ostend has an accessible beach run by Zon, Zee… Zorgeloos in summer, at the Diksmuidestraat in Mariakerke.

• Access: a concrete beach path, accessible toilet, changing room with height-adjustable bed and hoist, beach wheelchairs (including electric ones) and assistants.
• When: mid-June to mid-September, daily from 10.30 to 18.30; tel. +32 491 50 54 33; Duinenkerkje tram stop.
• Other beach paths: there are also concrete paths at the Parijsstraat, the Klein Strand and the Sportstrand.
• Toilet: accessible toilets at beach level on the Albert I promenade, at the IJzerstraat and the Parijsstraat.

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

It's allowed to fish from the Oostelijke strekdam in Oostende. On this dam fishing is allowed all year.

More info: https://www.oostende.be/visvergunning

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Can you borrow or rent a beach wheelchair in Ostend?

Yes, in Ostend you can borrow a beach wheelchair for free in summer.

• Zon, Zee… Zorgeloos: free beach wheelchairs and help from assistants, mid-June to mid-September, daily from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm; tel. +32 491 50 54 33.
• Where: at the Diksmuidestraat.
• Fietspunt: at the station (Natiënkaai 1) the Fietspunt lends an electric beach wheelchair for free outside the season, tel. +32 59 61 05 04.
• Use: you need someone to push, except with electric chairs.
• More information: overview of accessible beach facilities on the coast (Inter, in Dutch).

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Ostend?

• From April to September fixed hours apply to dogs on the beaches of Ostend: in April, May, June and September they are only allowed before 10 am and after 6.30 pm, in July and August only before 10 am and after 8 pm.
• From October to March dogs may go on the beach all day, loose or on a lead.
• All year round dogs are allowed on the Klein Strand (on a lead), on the Oosteroever from beach head 5 towards Bredene, and from the Westlaan towards Middelkerke (on a lead).
• On the sports beach dogs must always be kept on a lead.

Is the beach in Ostend free to access?

Yes, the beach in Ostend is free to access.

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

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

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

Can you make a campfire on the beach in Ostend?

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

Where can you do beach and water sports in Ostend?

In Ostend water sports clubs and surf schools offer surfing, kitesurfing, sailing and kayaking, among others; see our surfing page for an overview.

• Please note: water sports are only allowed outside the swimming zones, in the designated areas.

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Where can you rent a beach cabin in Ostend?

[Answer in Dutch]

BVBA Hugo en Marc Vandevelde
Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 329
T 059/51.35.45
GSM Marc: 0497/61.61.56, tussen 15.30 uur en 17.30 uur
mail. info@strandoostende.be
web. https://www.strandoostende.be/

BVBA Michel Blanckaert
Woudweg naar Zedelgem 18
8490 Snellegem
T 050/ 81.34.94
GSM 0498/10.31.63,
mail. michel@dezeehut.be
web. https://www.dezeehut.be/

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

Yes, at beach bars and beach equipment rental points in Ostend 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 Ostend?

Only in June and September, and only with a permit from the City of Ostend.

• Conditions: no more than one barbecue per weekend, not a commercial event, follow police and fire service instructions, reusable cups.
• Clean-up: the beach must be cleared by 10 am the next day; the applicant pays any cleaning costs.
• Rest of the year: fires and barbecues on the beach are prohibited.

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