Knokke-Heist is without a doubt one of Belgium’s most renowned and stylish seaside resorts. This fashionable coastal town on the North Sea is known for its long beaches, vibrant promenade, chic beach bars, and a unique blend of nature, art, and luxury.
Beach dimensions: The beach of Knokke-Heist is approximately 12 kilometres long and averages 70 metres in width. The beaches are wide, well laid out, and impeccably maintained – ideal for sunbathers, families, and sporty types.
Location: Situated on the Belgian North Sea coast, between the port of Zeebrugge in the west and Cadzand in the Netherlands to the east.
Lively promenade: The promenade of Knokke-Heist stretches over 9 kilometres and is lined with boutiques, galleries, terraces, and trendy beach pavilions. Perfect for strolling and people-watching!
Beach bars & vibe: Along the entire beach, you’ll find stylish beach bars with loungers, sofas, and service right at your sunbed. Each bar has its own unique style and atmosphere – from laid-back to exclusive.
Nature & tranquillity: In the eastern part lies the Zwin Nature Reserve, a unique tidal area rich in flora and fauna. This part of Knokke offers peace, space, and beautiful walking trails all the way to the Dutch border.
Activities:Knokke-Heist is the place to go for sand yachting, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, and even horse riding on the beach. In summer, kids can enjoy various animation activities and play zones.
Whether you're here for the sun, a cocktail on a designer lounger, or a scenic walk through the Zwin – the beach of Knokke-Heist offers something for everyone in a stylish and relaxing setting.
Award-Winning Beaches
The beaches of Knokke-Heist have also been recognised multiple times for their quality, safety, and environmentally friendly management.
Blue Flag: In 2024, the beach of Knokke-Heist was awarded the 8th time with the Blue Flag – an international label for excellent water quality, well-maintained beaches, and responsible beach infrastructure.
The North Sea coast of Knokke-Heist can be divided into four different beaches: Heist, Duinbergen, Albertstrand and Het Zoute (The Salt). The most popular beaches are Albertstrand and Het Zoute. In the summer these beaches are the busiest, but even in July and August there is more than enough space to be found. Walking a few dozen meters either way will quickly get you a more quiet spot.
Heist
Heist has a long history as a fishing village and has remained a family-friendly beach. Heist beach is about 1.6 kilometers long and 270 meters wide. Even on a sunny summer's day, there is still plenty of space to be found here. The westernmost beach area of Heist is adjacent to the port and industrial area of Zeebrugge. The coast is densely built-up with the exception of the Directeur-Generaal Willemspark, a dune remnant that lies between Heist and the adjacent Duinbergen.
Duinbergen
Duinbergen attracts many families and artists in summer. The small beach of Duinbergen is about 1 kilometer long and on average ±100 meters wide. Located northeast of Heist and southwest of Albertstrand. Unlike Heist and Knokke, Duinbergen is characterized by many characteristic villas and few shops.
Albertstrand
At Albertstrand, life revolves around the largest and most popular casino in Belgium. In addition, you can enjoy a day of sunbathing as well. The beach is about 1.5 kilometers long and ±250 meters wide. Albertstrand is located between Duinbergen in the west and Het Zoute in the east. On the western edge, you have a yacht club and Duinbergen, on the eastern edge it's busier with many bars and restaurants. Along the Zeedijk there's an almost continuous strip of high-rise buildings consisting mainly of luxury apartments. Characteristic are the many beach cabins, which are arranged in four long rows on the beach.
The annual fireworks festival traditionally takes place on this beach. The place to spot expensive cars is at the Knokke Casino. Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and other exclusive sports cars can be found on the parking lots around the casino.
Het Zoute (The Salt)
Het Zoute (The Salt) is the easternmost beach in Belgium. The beach is about 2 km long and about 150 meters wide. It is situated to the west of Albertstrand and to the east of the Het Zwin nature reserve near the Dutch border. This natural park consists of dunes, plains, salt marshes and a bird park.
Beau monde from home and abroad likes to stay in Het Zoute. Here are several exclusive summer beach clubs where the bottles of wine and champagne often flows abundantly. You'll also find swanky shops from major fashion houses and beautiful art galleries. Het Zoute has always been a seaside resort for the more affluent guests. This can still be seen in the rather large number of impressive villas, in all sorts of styles which can be found in the green area just behind the coastline.
Facilities & Safety on the Beach
The beaches of Knokke-Heist are clean, well-maintained, and fully equipped for a relaxing day by the sea.
Daily cleaning: Every summer day, the beaches are cleaned to ensure you can enjoy a fresh and tidy spot on the sand.
Showers: Showers are located throughout the beach to rinse off sand and seawater – perfect after swimming or playing.
Lifeguards & First Aid: During the summer season, the lifeguard service and beach patrols ensure your safety. At the busier beach entrances, first aid stations are available to assist in case of accidents or injuries.
Swimming safety outside patrol hours: When lifeguard stations are closed, a general swimming ban applies. This is clearly indicated by 'no swimming' signs and/or wind socks. For up-to-date information on patrolled zones and safe swimming areas, visit www.ikwv.be.
Comfort for everyone
Whether you're here to sunbathe, walk, play or enjoy water sports – the wide beaches of Knokke-Heist offer peace, space, and comfort for all ages.
Accessibility: Many beach entrances are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Nearby car parks make your beach visit even easier.
Food and drinks within reach: Along the beach you'll find inviting pavilions and terraces where you can enjoy an ice cream, lunch, drink or dinner with a sea view.
Beach Surveillance in Knokke-Heist
Knokke-Heist features a total of 12 swimming zones and 5 surfing zones. At carefully selected locations along the wide beach of Knokke-Heist, six beach posts are in place to ensure safety and provide assistance where needed.
On the beaches of Knokke-Heist, you will find various information signs and beach flags to inform and warn swimmers, water sports enthusiasts, and other beachgoers about the risks associated with swimming in the sea. Below you will find the meanings of these flags:
Green Flag
Normal sea
Swimming is allowed.
Yellow Flag
Be cautious while swimming! Do not use flotation devices!
You may swim, but all floating and inflatable objects are not allowed in the sea due to offshore wind.
Red Flag
Do not swim! Very dangerous sea
Warns of serious danger and is raised when swimming conditions are very dangerous. Swimming, bathing, and other activities in or on the sea are prohibited.
Swimming allowed
Swimming is permitted
In this beach zone, you may swim in the sea between 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM.
Swimming prohibited
Do not swim!
In this beach zone, swimming in the sea is strictly prohibited!
Pay attention to these flags and always follow the instructions of the lifeguards for your safety and the safety of others on the beach.
Dogs on the Beach
For many dogs, the beach is the ultimate place to run, play, and swim. Whether it’s a seaside walk in the fresh sea breeze or a cheerful game with a frisbee or ball – dogs clearly enjoy a day by the sea. But please note: on many beaches, seasonal rules apply regarding dogs.
Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Knokke-Heist during the period 15 maart to 15 October between 09:00 till 21:00.
Outside of the above mentioned period and time are dogs allowed (both loose and leased) on the beaches of Knokke-Heist.
Further, we also recommend reading the information board, with the local beach rules, which is often placed near every beach (entrance).
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.
Dogs are prohibited on the 
Leashed dogs are allowed all year from