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/
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.
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.
Is there a naturist beach in Katwijk?
Yes, south of Katwijk naturism is tolerated from beach pole 89.25 to the third beach access.
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.
- Check your drone and your liability insurance.
- Do not fly over people, (rail)roads, buildings, and other structures. Advice: maintain at least 50 metres distance.
- You must give way to all other aircraft and maintain distance from them.
- You must fly at a safe distance from people and buildings.
- You must always be able to see your drone.
- You are not allowed to fly in the dark.
- Do not fly higher than 120 metres.
- Stay away from airports and other no-fly zones (at least 3 kilometres).
- Filming or photography: respect everyone's privacy.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Where can you go horse riding on the beach in Katwijk?
All information about horse riding on the beach or in the environment (including local riding schools) can be found on the riding page: https://katwijk.info/en/horseback-riding.php
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.
Where can you surf or take surf lessons in Katwijk?
All local surf information (including surfing schools) can you find on our special page: https://katwijk.info/en/cat/surfing/
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.
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.
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/
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.
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.
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 borrow or rent a beach wheelchair in Katwijk?
Yes, in Katwijk you can borrow a beach wheelchair during the beach season.
- Het Zeepaviljoen: Strandweg 2, Katwijk, tel. +31 71 407 4198.
- Strandhuys Katwijk: Boulevard Zeezijde 47, Katwijk, tel. +31 71 407 2278.
- Strandpaviljoen 't Wantveld: strandvak 17, Katwijk, tel. +31 71 408 2380.
- Restaurant Panbos: Wassenaarseweg 154, Katwijk, tel. +31 70 511 2595.
- Season: usually from June to September.
- Booking: call ahead, the number of chairs is limited; use is often free.
- Use: for beach and sea only; you need someone to push.