Frequently asked questions about beach in De Panne

Yes, several beaches in De Panne have free outdoor showers in season.

• Including: Leopold I Esplanade, Centrum De Panne.
• Season: the beach showers are in place from early May to late September.

No, De Panne 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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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 De Panne 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.

No, as in all Belgian coastal municipalities, lighting a fire on the beach in De Panne 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 De Panne.

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

• Club: Side Shore Surfers, Zeedijk, De Panne, www.sideshoresurfers.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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Yes, in De Panne you can borrow a beach wheelchair for free in summer.

• Zon, Zee… Zorgeloos: free beach wheelchairs and help from assistants, mid-June to mid-September, daily from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm; tel. +32 58 42 97 15.
• Where: Changing Places, Pierre Bortierplein 10; by reservation also outside the season.
• Use: you need someone to push, except with electric chairs.
• More information: overview of accessible beach facilities on the coast (Inter, in Dutch).

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 De Panne 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.

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

Current information on bathing water quality on the coast near De Panne 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, shore angling from the beach in De Panne is allowed without a permit, but not in the supervised bathing zones while lifeguards are on duty.

• Tip: fish outside supervised hours or outside the bathing zones and be considerate of other beach users.

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of De Panne during the period 1 April till 1 October.
• Outside of the above mentioned period are only leased dogs allowed on the beaches of De Panne.

Further, we also recommend reading the information board, with the local beach rules, which is often placed near every beach (entrance).

More information: https://depanne.com/pdf/2013_de-panne_honden.pdf

Nearest beach for dogs at De Panne

Leashed dogs are allowed all year:

• from beach Canadezenplein in the direction Koksijde;
• from beach Leopold I Esplanade in the direction France.