Frequently asked questions about the beach in Nieuwvliet

Is metal detecting allowed on the beach in Nieuwvliet?

As far as we know, no: the municipality of Sluis prohibits metal detecting on the beach in Nieuwvliet.

• Rules: heritage law, weapons law and the local bylaws (APV) also apply on the beach; valuable finds must be reported to the municipality.
• Municipality: Nieuwvliet belongs to the municipality of Sluis, 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.

Is there a naturist beach in Nieuwvliet?

Yes, the nearby naturist beach is at the Walendijk near Groede.

• Where: between groynes 20 and 23, at dune crossing 24; signs on the beach mark the start and end.
• More information: an overview of all naturist beaches is available from the Naturisten Federatie Nederland.

Display Nudistenstrand Groede
on the map

Are there public showers on the beach in Nieuwvliet?

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

• Including: 't Poldertje.
• Season: the beach showers are in place from early May to late September.

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

Yes, at most beach pavilions in Nieuwvliet 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 rent a hooded beach chair (strandkorf) in Nieuwvliet?

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

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

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/

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Nieuwvliet?

• Only leashed dogs are allowed on the beaches of Nieuwvliet during the period 1 May till 1 October between 10:00 till 18:00.
• Outside of the above mentioned period and time are dogs allowed (both loose and leased) on the beaches of Nieuwvliet.

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

Are the beach pavilions in Nieuwvliet open in winter?

Yes, some of the beach pavilions in Nieuwvliet 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.

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

Fishing from Nieuwvliet beach is permitted all day during the period from October 1 to June 1.

In the period 1 June to 1 September, fishing is prohibited between 10:00 and 18:00 hrs on the beaches of Nieuwvliet.

Where can you rent a beach cabin in Nieuwvliet?

[Answer in Dutch]

Strandcabineverhuur Michielsen
Duinovergang 17, Nieuwvliet
t. +31 117 372 042
e. info@destrandganger.nl
w. https://www.destrandganger.nl/paviljoen.html

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

No, the dunes in Nieuwvliet 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.

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

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

Is the beach in Nieuwvliet free to access?

Yes, the beach in Nieuwvliet is free to access.

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

Where can you surf or take surf lessons in Nieuwvliet?

Nieuwvliet-Bad has no surf school and no kite zone, so kitesurfing is not allowed here; for surfing and kiting, head to Cadzand-Bad, about 5 km away.

• Cadzand-Bad: Moio Beach organises wave surfing, SUP and power kiting, and Cadzandsports gives kitesurf lessons at beach pavilion De Zeemeeuw.
• SUP and bodyboarding: in calm weather with small waves you can also do this on the beach of Nieuwvliet, outside the supervised swimming zones.
• Across the border: Surfers Paradise in Knokke-Heist is a large surf, kite and SUP centre.

Can you fly a drone around Nieuwvliet?

You may fly a drone as an individual in the vicinity of Nieuwvliet 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 Nieuwvliet) 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 borrow or rent a beach wheelchair in Nieuwvliet?

Yes, along the coast of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen several beach pavilions lend beach wheelchairs, including in Nieuwvliet.

• Strandpaviljoen De Zeemeeuw: strandpaviljoendezeemeeuw.nl, Cadzand-Bad, dune crossing 1.
• Strandpaviljoen Brut sur Mer: brutsurmer.nl, Cadzand-Bad, dune crossing 8.
• Strandpaviljoen Woest 17: woest17.nl, Nieuwvliet, dune crossing 17.
• Strandpaviljoen PUUR: strandpaviljoenpuur.nl, Groede, dune crossing 22.
• Strandpaviljoen 't Halve Maentje: halvemaentje.nl, Breskens, dune crossing 29.
• 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 Strandpaviljoen De Boekanier
on the map

Are barbecues allowed on the beach in Nieuwvliet?

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 Nieuwvliet 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 Nieuwvliet?

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 Nieuwvliet 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 there wheelchair-friendly beach access in Nieuwvliet?

Near Nieuwvliet-Bad several dune crossings have a gentle slope, so you can get onto the beach in a wheelchair.

• 't Poldertje: gentle crossing at the De Boekanier pavilion, with a toilet and a beach wheelchair.
• Dune crossing 17: at the Woest 17 pavilion, with a toilet and a beach wheelchair.
• Groede (dune crossing 22): gentle crossing at the PUUR pavilion, with a beach wheelchair.
• Note: there is no beach mat; the sand down to the waterline is soft.

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

Yes, but in the municipality of Sluis horse riding on the beach is banned between 10:00 and 18:00 from 1 May to 1 September; outside those times you may only ride right along the tideline.

• Beach rides: Het Zoete Pèèrd in Groede leads beach rides to Groede, Nieuwvliet and Breskens, for experienced riders aged 14 and over only.
• Across the border: Stal Ponderosa in Knokke-Heist rides through the Zwinbosjes to the beach, for experienced riders aged 12 and over.

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