Beaches
De Haan is proud of its beach. It is the longest of the Flemish coast! The beach is rather quiet, a wide sand beach of about twelve kilometres in length and 50-80 metres wide. To the west, at the border with Bredene, you will find the only nudist beach of the Flemish coast. In summer, the beach is pleasantly busy, but not too crowded. Also in early and late season, De Haan is an excellent destination to enjoy the wind along the shoreline! The extremely lengthy beach is wide and is adjacent to wonderful turquoise seawater.
A sunbath or a walk along the beach, playing fun or water sports. The very well maintained, white beaches of De Haan will offer you peace and quietness. The beaches, with showers to rinse of the salt seawater, will be cleaned everyday. Besides the rescue brigade will guard the beaches and warns when there is a dangerous current or wind; a pleasant and safe feeling.
On the beaches and in the surf you can practice a variety of spectacular recreation forms. Other surf disciplines are mobile short boards, and the calmer long boards, body boards, bodysurf with a small board in the hand, kneeboards on your knees and the skim boards on the thin water film that stays behind after every wave. On the wide beaches of the North seacoast you can drive a sail wagon or do some beach surfing.
Facilities
You will find plenty of restaurants and bars at the beach of De Haan. The beach is also very easily accessible. However, the amount of parking space close to the beach is limited. In summer, beach chairs and windscreens can be rented at the beach. De Haan is not only a nice place for swimmers and sunbathers, but also for people who love sailing or surfing.
Optimum facilities will tribute to the comfort and with that the holiday pleasure of the guests. It starts with accessible beach crossings and parking places, the availability of public showers and restrooms, beach cabins, and dustbins. Then there are the lifeguards and the rescue brigade whom watch over the well being of the guests, with a First aid post nearby. The possibility to rent beach-chairs, windshields and parasols is an extra comfort for our 'spoiled' bathing guests.
At the end the many beach pavilions will take care of the needs for serving drinks and snacks or lunch and diner.
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
Yes, but only under certain conditions. In some municipalities the beach is not accessible in certain areas or periods. Sometimes conditions apply. But generally there are exceptions for guide dogs.
The local regulations in De Haan:
Dogs are prohibited on the beach from June 1 until September 15 to:
- The beach and sea area at the promenades of De Haan and Wenduine;
- The beach and sea area located 250m on both sides of the 'Vosseslag';
- The beach and sea area near the guarded beach 'Harendijke'.
At other public places and roads much dogs be kept on a leash.
Beach tips
- 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.
- Help to keep the beaches clean.
