Frequently asked questions about the beach in Katwijk

Where can you rent a beach cabin in Katwijk?

[Answer in Dutch]

Strandpaviljoen 't Zeepaviljoen
Strandweg 2
2225 HC Katwijk aan Zee
tel: +31 71-4074198
mail. info@zeepaviljoen.nl
web. https://zeepaviljoen.nl/

Strandpaviljoen Paal 14
Boulevard tegenover nr 8
2225 AA Katwijk
tel. +31 71-4014464
gsm. +31 6-51236136
web. https://www.paal14.nl/

Can you light a campfire on the beach in Katwijk?

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 Katwijk 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.

Are restaurants, beach pavilions and shops in Katwijk 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 Katwijk 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.

Can you walk in the dunes in Katwijk off the paths?

No, the dunes in Katwijk 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.

Can you fly a drone around Katwijk?

You may fly a drone as an individual in the vicinity of Katwijk 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 Katwijk) 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.

Can you ride horses on the beach in Katwijk, and where can you book a beach ride?

Yes, but in Katwijk from 1 April to 1 October you may only ride on the beach before 09:00 and after 19:00; when it rains or the temperature is 18 °C or lower, it is allowed all day.

• Beach rides: Manege Jonker on the Noordduinseweg offers beach rides in small groups by appointment.
• Nearby: Manege Bakker in Noordwijkerhout offers beach, dune and night rides.

Is metal detecting allowed on the beach in Katwijk?

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

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

Is there a naturist beach in Katwijk?

Yes, south of Katwijk naturism is tolerated from beach pole 89.25 to the third beach access.

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

Display Nudistenstrand Katwijk
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Where can you find information on the sea water quality in Katwijk?

Up-to-date information on the bathing water quality at Katwijk 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.

Are barbecues allowed on the beach in Katwijk?

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 Katwijk 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 can you surf or take surf lessons in Katwijk?

Yes, at Surfschool Katwijk on the Boulevard Zeezijde you can take surf lessons and rent gear, with its own base right on the beach.

• Surfschool Katwijk: wave surfing, SUP and kitesurfing for beginners and advanced surfers, plus board rental.
• Kitesurfing: Kiteschool Katwijk teaches at sailing club Skuytevaert in Katwijk aan Zee.
• Tip: combine a lesson with a beach walk to the mouth of the Oude Rijn at the sea locks.

Is kite flying allowed on the beach in Katwijk?

Yes, single-line kites may be flown anywhere on the beach in Katwijk.

• Steerable: kites with two or more lines only on the designated stretches: south of the Skuytevaert water sports club and north of the Airtime kitesurf club.

Are the beach pavilions in Katwijk open in winter?

Yes, some of the beach pavilions in Katwijk are open in winter as well, mainly at weekends.

• All year: year-round pavilions are often open in winter; seasonal pavilions are taken down.
• Tip: check the opening hours with the pavilion beforehand.

Are there public showers on the beach in Katwijk?

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

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

Can you rent a beach chair, sunbed, parasol or windbreak on the beach in Katwijk?

Yes, at most beach pavilions in Katwijk 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.

Can you borrow or rent a beach wheelchair in Katwijk?

Yes, you can borrow a beach wheelchair at several beach pavilions in Katwijk.

• Zilt: Boulevard Zeezijde 37, tel. +31 71 407 4198.
• Sisters Beach: Boulevard Zeezijde 47, tel. +31 71 407 2278.
• Zee & Zon: Boulevard Zeezijde 19, tel. +31 71 407 1509.
• Key West: Boulevard Zeezijde 11, tel. +31 71 401 2583.
• Surf en Beach: Boulevard Zeezijde 9, tel. +31 71 401 6563.
• Het Wantveld: Noordduinseweg 6, tel. +31 71 408 2380.
• Willy Noord: Buitensluis 3, tel. +31 71 402 8500.
• Bring: a valid ID, which the pavilion asks for when you collect the chair.
• Use: for beach and sea only; you need someone to push.

Display Het Zeepaviljoen
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Where is there wheelchair-friendly beach access in Katwijk?

Katwijk has concrete beach paths with a viewing platform down to the high-water line, next to five beach pavilions.

• Beach paths: at Sisters Beach (Boulevard Zeezijde 47), Grandcafé Zand (Boulevard Zeezijde 35), Zee en Zon (Boulevard Zeezijde 19), De Watering (Boulevard Zeezijde 3) and Willy Noord (Noordduinseweg 4).
• Parking: the Boulevard Zeezijde car park has extra disabled spaces and toilets, with direct access to the beach.
• Toilet: most pavilions have an accessible toilet.
• Wheelchair storage: at the beach access next to Zee en Zon; collect the key at the pavilion.

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/

Is the beach in Katwijk free to access?

Yes, the beach in Katwijk is free to access.

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

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Katwijk?

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Katwijk during the period 1 April till 1 October between 09:00 till 19:00.
• Outside of the above mentioned period and time are dogs allowed (both loose and leased) on the beaches of Katwijk.

However, at a temperature lower than 18°C and/or rainfall free-running dogs are allowed on the beaches of Katwijk during the abovementioned time periods.

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 Katwijk

Leashed dogs are allowed all year from beach Afrit C in a northerly direction.

Display Strand C
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