Frequently asked questions about the beach in Wijk aan Zee

Can you borrow or rent a beach wheelchair in Wijk aan Zee?

There is no fixed lending point for beach wheelchairs in Wijk aan Zee, but the beach is easy to reach in a wheelchair.

• Blue carpet: since 2023 a permanent path of concrete slabs runs across the sand to just above the waterline.
• Ask around: ask at the beach pavilions whether a beach wheelchair is available.
• Electric: at lifeguard post De Kentering in Bloemendaal aan Zee (Zeeweg 78, tel. +31 23 573 2173) you can borrow an electric beach wheelchair at weekends.

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Are restaurants, beach pavilions and shops in Wijk aan Zee open in the low season?

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 Wijk aan Zee 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.

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Wijk aan Zee?

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Wijk aan Zee during the period 1 May till 1 October between 09:00 till 19:00.
• Outside of the above mentioned period and time are only leased dogs allowed on the beaches of Wijk aan Zee.

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 Wijk aan Zee

Leashed dogs are allowed all year from beach Vliegerpad in the southern direction.

Can you fly a drone around Wijk aan Zee?

You may fly a drone as an individual in the vicinity of Wijk aan Zee 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 Wijk aan Zee) 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.

Are barbecues allowed on the beach in Wijk aan Zee?

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 Wijk aan Zee 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 Wijk aan Zee?

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 Wijk aan Zee 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 are the activity beach and the family beach in Wijk aan Zee?

The family beach is north of the Sunseabar pavilion, the activity beach south of it towards Velsen.

• Family beach: from the Sunseabar to the Noorderbad pavilion at the Heemskerk border; no kitesurfing, multi-line kites or blokarting in season.
• Activity beach: from the Sunseabar to the Velsen border; in marked zones blokarting, kite flying, (kite)surfing and boating are allowed, with boats keeping 300 metres from the low-water line.
• Please note: enforcement officers can always step in in case of danger or nuisance.

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Can you ride horses on the beach in Wijk aan Zee, and where can you book a beach ride?

Yes, but from 1 May to 1 October you may only ride on the beach in Wijk aan Zee between 19:00 and 09:00; the rest of the year it is allowed all day.

• Rides: Manege Heemskerk offers guided dune and forest rides, with the dune permit included in the price; beach rides are not offered there.
• Dunes: in the Noordhollands Duinreservaat you may only ride on the bridle paths, with a valid PWN riding permit.

Where can you surf or take surf lessons in Wijk aan Zee?

Yes, at Wijkiki, the southernmost beach pavilion of Wijk aan Zee, you can take surf and kitesurf lessons and rent gear.

• Wijkiki: kite and surf lessons, rental and blokarting, at the Zuiderbad.
• Best spot: the beach by the Noordpier in Velsen-Noord, where the pier shapes the waves nicely.
• Rules at the Noordpier: kite and windsurfing only in the activity area; wave surfing and SUP are also allowed in the zone next to it. This is checked more closely in high season (1 April to 1 October).

Can you go sand yachting or paragliding in Wijk aan Zee?

Sand yachting and blokarting are possible on the activity beach of Wijk aan Zee, for example with Outstanding Events at the Noordpier.

• Paragliding: there is no officially recognised paragliding site above the dunes.

Can you fish from the beach in Wijk aan Zee?

Yes, sea fishing from the beach in Wijk aan Zee is allowed; you do not need a VISpas (fishing licence) for this.

• Swimmers: do not fish among swimmers and keep your distance from supervised bathing zones.
• Rules: check the signs at the beach entrances for local rules.

Is metal detecting allowed on the beach in Wijk aan Zee?

As far as we know, yes: amateurs may search with a metal detector on the beach in Wijk aan Zee.

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

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/

Can you rent a beach chair, sunbed, parasol or windbreak on the beach in Wijk aan Zee?

Yes, at most beach pavilions in Wijk aan Zee 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.

Is there a naturist beach in Wijk aan Zee?

Yes, north of Wijk aan Zee towards Castricum there is a naturist beach between beach poles 45.5 and 48.75.

• More information: an overview of all naturist beaches is available from the Naturisten Federatie Nederland.

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Can you walk in the dunes in Wijk aan Zee off the paths?

No, the dunes in Wijk aan Zee 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 Wijk aan Zee?

Up-to-date information on the bathing water quality at Wijk aan Zee 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.

Where is there wheelchair-friendly beach access in Wijk aan Zee?

The best wheelchair access to the beach in Wijk aan Zee is at the Relweg beach access, by Heliomare.

• Blue carpet: since 2023 a path of concrete slabs has run down to the waterline here.
• Sunsea: the route to the Sunsea beach club is wheelchair accessible, with mats towards the waterline.
• Parking: there is a disabled parking space at the start of the access path, and another at the Zwaanstraat beach access.

Is the beach in Wijk aan Zee free to access?

Yes, the beach in Wijk aan Zee is free to access.

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

Are there public showers on the beach in Wijk aan Zee?

As far as we know, there are no public showers on the beaches in Wijk aan Zee.

• Tip: some beach pavilions have a shower for their guests.

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