Frequently asked questions about beach in Wijk aan Zee

As far as we know it is permitted to search the beach of Wijk aan Zee with a metal detector.

General information
Generally it is allowed to search the Dutch beaches using a metal detector at amateur level. Metal detection is a search method for finding metal objects in the ground. Beach searchers use a metal detector to find lost items (jewelry and coins) of bathers.

Of course, Dutch laws and regulations also apply on the beach. This means that you, also when searching on beach, need to take the following into account: Law on Archaeological Heritage, the Monuments law, the weapons and ammunition law, the local General Local Regulation (APV), Lost and Found items according to the civil law etc. Aside from that you should always leave behind your search location the way you found it. In other words, neatly close any dug holes.

A local municipality may decide to prohibit the use of a metal detector (detection ban) via the General Local Regulation. Therefore always check the General Local Regulation and/or contact the municipality where you wish to search. Wijk aan Zee is subject to the municipality of Beverwijk. Here you will find contact information about this municipality: https://www.beverwijk.nl/

Dunes
Note: Searching in the Dutch dunes is generally strictly prohibited. This is due to the protection of nature.

As far as we know there are no (free) public showers on the beaches of Wijk aan Zee.

Here you have the contact information:

https://wijkaanzee.net/en/attractie/374/eventmaker.html
https://wijkaanzee.net/en/attractie/368/hotzone.html
https://wijkaanzee.net/en/attractie/369/outstanding-events.html
https://wijkaanzee.net/en/attractie/370/summitsports.html
https://wijkaanzee.net/en/attractie/367/windshift.html

Access to and use of the beaches of Wijk aan Zee is (of course) free.

On this website you will always find the latest information on the quality of bathing water in Wijk aan Zee: https://www.zwemwater.nl/

Possible messages are:
- Good: There are no reports for this swimming spot. You can safely swim.
- Warning: Swimming allowed, however there is a potential health risk.
- Advice against bathing: Not swimming, health risk.
- Swim Ban: Swimming prohibited, great health risk.

During the bathing season (May 1 to October 1) local provinces will inform you about the quality of the water of the official bathing sites. The measuring point is the place where most bathers are expected either where the risk of pollution is greatest.

Outside the bathing season, the bathing water is not investigated. If you go into the water off season, you must decide for yourself whether it is justified.

You can rent chairs, windbreakers and umbrellas at various beach pavilions in Wijk aan Zee.

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

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.

All local surf information (including surfing schools) can you find on our special page: https://wijkaanzee.net/en/surfing.php

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

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.

During the long beach season (June, July, August and September) there are some beach wheelchairs available.

A telephone reservation is recommended. Often the use of beach wheelchairs is free. The beach wheelchair is only for use on the beach and into the sea. All beach wheelchairs need someone to push.  

Below are the lending locations with phone numbers:

Surfcentrum Hot Zone

Relweg 2b, Wijk aan Zee
tel. +31 20-4235932

Revalidatiecentrum Heliomare

Relweg 51, Wijk aan Zee
tel. +31 889-208888

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The beach is divided into two zones. The family beach is from the pavilion Sunseabar to the boundary with Heemskerk at pavilion Noorderbad. Here may be practiced no activities during the beach season as kite surfing, kite flying with two or more lines, blokarting, parasailing, etc.

From Sunseabar to the boundary with Velsen are allowed to these activities if that happens, at least in a safe way. In a defined block may be blokarting or kiting (kite) surfing and boating with motor and sail vessels provided such vessels 300m from the low water mark. There are two strips which vessels may be stored and on and sail. Regardless of the zone within which a given activity may in danger, annoyance or nuisance occur enforcer.

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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.

No, you may not enter the dunes of Wijk aan Zee. This is to prevent damage. The main function of the dunes is to provide natural protection for the coast against the sea. Without the dunes a large part of the Netherlands would be under water.

In addition, almost all the dunes in the Netherlands is part of a nature reserve. They are an important part of biodiversity. In the dunes live many animals such as rabbits, foxes, deer, lizards and many species of birds. It's official forbidden to pick the plants and to chase animals in the Dutch dunes.

Furthermore you are (of course) allowed to walk on the created hiking paths.

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/

There are in the surroundings of Wijk aan Zee several nudist beaches. The nearest location is northerly beach leading to Castricum is located between beach posts 45.50 - 45.75 and 46.00 - 47.00.

More information: https://www.nfn.nl/.../castricum/

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