Frequently asked questions about the beach in Westende

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

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

[Answer in Dutch]

Barbecueën op het strand van Westende is door de lokale gemeente verboden. Dit is bepaald in de Algemene Politieverordening van de gemeente Middelkerke.

With regard to the public security fire (including a campfire, fire pit, grill or barbecue) is prohibited at all times on the beach of Westende.

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

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

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

[Answer in Dutch]

Beachhut Westende, (Vandendriessche M.)
Zeedijk 310 - bus 501
Westende
tel. +32 473 30 38 44

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/

Yes, the beach in Westende is free to access.

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

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 Westende 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.

In Westende is hengelen van op het strand of van op een kunstwerk is verboden in de zones:
- Ten Westen van en in de onmiddellijke nabijheid van de strandhoofden op de Franselaan.
- Een strook van 100 meter ten oosten van de Louis Logierlaan, meer bepaald ten oosten van het gebouwde strandhoofd, aan de voet van de afrit naar het strand.
- Een strook van 100 meter ten oosten van de Oceaanlaan.

Hengelen van op het strand of van op de strandhoofden is verboden van 15 June tot en met 15 September, telkens van 10 uur tot 19 uur, in de zones die door de gemeente als badzone worden aangeduid. Dit verbod geldt over de volledige lengte van het strand en de zee tussen de strandhoofden van bedoelde zone.

De andere strandgebruikers mogen niet gehinderd worden door de activiteit van de hengelaar of diens lijnen of haken.

All information about horse riding on the beach or in the environment (including local riding schools) can be found on the riding page: https://westende.com/en/horseback-riding.php

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Westende during the period 15 June till 15 September.
• Outside of the above mentioned period are only leased dogs allowed on the beaches of Westende.

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 Westende

Leashed dogs are allowed all year:

• from beach Rotonde in the direction Middelkerke;
• from beach Christal Palace in the direction Nieuwpoort.

Yes, the municipality of Middelkerke lends beach wheelchairs for free at two places.

• De Kwinte: Koning Ridderdijk 100, Westende.
• Hotel Middelpunt: Westendelaan 37, Middelkerke.
• Season: from the Easter holidays to 15 September; groups can request extra chairs via welzijnshuis@middelkerke.be.
• Use: you need someone to push, except with electric chairs.
• More information: overview of accessible beach facilities on the coast (Inter, in Dutch).

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

• Nearby: the nearest club is Surfclub Windekind in Oostduinkerke.
• Rules: follow the local clubs' rules and the lifeguards' instructions; during the bathing season kitesurfing is banned near the swimming zones.