Frequently asked questions about the beach in Knokke-Heist

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, at beach bars and beach equipment rental points in Knokke-Heist 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.

Yes, in Knokke-Heist you can borrow a beach wheelchair for free in summer.

• Albertstrand: beach aid post Zwaluwenlaan, tel. +32 474 94 68 47.
• Lichttorenplein: first aid post, tel. +32 474 94 35 26; both from 15 June to 15 September, 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.
• Sportstrand Heist: at the Kardinaal Mercierstraat, in July and August; book on site.
• Use: you need someone to push, except with electric chairs.
• More information: overview of accessible beach facilities on the coast (Inter, in Dutch).

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

Yes, several beaches in Knokke-Heist have free outdoor showers in season.

• Including: Rubensplein, Zoute Strandstraat, Zoute Wielingen.
• Season: the beach showers are in place from early May to late September.

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No, as in all Belgian coastal municipalities, lighting a fire on the beach in Knokke-Heist 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 Knokke-Heist.

Current information on bathing water quality on the coast near Knokke-Heist 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, the beach in Knokke-Heist is free to access.

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

• 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).

Nearest beach for dogs at Knokke-Heist

Leashed dogs are allowed all year from beach Appelzakstraat in the direction Cadzand.

In Knokke-Heist you can rent a beach cabin from Strandcabine Knokke, among others.

• Beach bars: Albert Strand and Lichttorenstrand.
• Tip: other beach bars sometimes rent cabins too; ask on site.

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

• Club: Surfers Paradise, Zeedijk, Het Zoute, www.surfersparadise.be.
• 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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With regard to the public security fire (including a campfire, fire pit, grill or barbecue) is prohibited at all times on the beach of Knokke-Heist.

[Answer in Dutch]

In Knokke-Heist heb je geen vergunning nodig om op het strand te hengelsportvissen en is het overal het gehele jaar toegestaan.

No, Knokke-Heist 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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