Frequently asked questions about the beach on Terschelling

Where is there wheelchair-friendly beach access on Terschelling?

On Terschelling the easiest way onto the beach in a wheelchair is via a beach crossing with an accessible pavilion.

• West aan Zee (post 8): the West aan Zee beach pavilion is wheelchair accessible, has an accessible toilet and is open daily.
• Midsland aan Zee: De Branding is wheelchair accessible, has an accessible toilet and lends an electric and a manual beach wheelchair free of charge.
• Oosterend: Heartbreak Hotel is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible toilet.
• Note: no mats are laid over the sand; a beach wheelchair gets you further.

Can you fly a drone around Terschelling?

You may not fly a drone over the Wadden Sea, the dunes and the nature reserves on Terschelling (Natura 2000).

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

What are the rules for sea fishing from the beach on Terschelling?

Sport fishing from the beach of Terschelling in the North Sea is open all year and throughout the day allowed. Be careful when inserting your rod to the other beach and sea users.

To sport fishing in the sea from the beach you will not need a license.

So even though sport fishing from the beach is allowed throughout the year, one thing remains; keep account of each other!

Can you borrow or rent a beach wheelchair on Terschelling?

Yes, on Terschelling you can borrow a beach wheelchair for free at four beach pavilions.

• De Branding: Midsland aan Zee, tel. +31 562 448 411; one electric and one manual beach wheelchair.
• ZandZeeBar: Badweg Formerum 6, tel. +31 562 445 172; one manual beach wheelchair.
• Kaap Hoorn: Badweg Hoorn 16, tel. +31 562 450 152; one electric beach wheelchair.
• De Walvis: Groene Strand 1, West-Terschelling, tel. +31 562 442 071; a beach wheelchair with wide tyres, for up to one hour.
• Booking: not possible; ask at the pavilion.
• Use: for beach and sea only; a manual beach wheelchair needs someone to push.

Can you rent surf gear on Terschelling?

Yes, you can rent surf gear at the GoSurfing Terschelling surf school in Formerum aan Zee (Badweg 10), among others.

• Lessons: you can also take surf lessons there.
• More information: surfing on Terschelling.

Is the beach on Terschelling free to access?

Yes, the beach on Terschelling is free to access.

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

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 on Terschelling?

Yes, at most beach pavilions on Terschelling 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.

Where can you rent a beach cabin on Terschelling?

No, there are no beach cabins for rent on the beaches on Terschelling.

• Alternative: beach pavilions often rent out sunbeds and windbreaks.

Are dogs allowed on the beach on Terschelling?

Dogs are allowed (both loose and leased) on the beaches of Terschelling all year round.

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

Where can you surf or take surf lessons on Terschelling?

On Terschelling there are three providers for surf lessons, kitesurf lessons and rental, spread over West aan Zee, Formerum aan Zee and Midsland.

• Surfvillage: Surfvillage in West aan Zee offers surf and SUP lessons, rental and a surf shop.
• Gosurfing Terschelling: Gosurfing Terschelling in Formerum aan Zee offers surf, kite and wing lessons, SUP tours and rental of boards, SUPs, skim and bodyboards.
• Kitesurfing: kitesurf school Seven Oceans from Midsland teaches on the Groene Strand, in West aan Zee and in Midsland aan Zee.
• Rules: from 1 May to 1 October kiting is not allowed within 200 m of the beach entrances or in the 100 m strip from the waterline.

Where is sand yachting allowed on Terschelling?

Sand yachts with a fixed mast are only allowed west of pole 8, and only with an exemption.

• Exemption: available from the municipality of Terschelling or through membership of the Strandzeilvereniging Terschelling.
• Prohibited: kite buggies and sand yachts with a loose mast are banned on the whole island.

Can you walk in the dunes on Terschelling off the paths?

No, the dunes on Terschelling 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 hear air force exercises on Terschelling?

Sometimes: for a few short periods a year the air force trains over and around Terschelling, mainly outside the high season.

• Noise: how much you hear on the beach or in the village depends on wind direction and strength, among other things.
• Schedule: the Ministry of Defence announces exercises on its flight movements page (in Dutch).
• Complaints: via the Ministry of Defence noise complaint form.

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

Yes, on Terschelling you can ride all year, on more than 100 km of bridle paths and along the beach.

• Hoorn: Huifkarbedrijf Terpstra offers rides through woods and dunes and along the beach all year, as well as covered wagon tours.
• Oosterend: Puur Terschelling offers a beginners' ride and covered wagon tours across the beach and the Boschplaat.

Are barbecues allowed on the beach on Terschelling?

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 Terschelling 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 there public showers on the beach on Terschelling?

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

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

Is there a naturist beach on Terschelling?

Yes, there are two naturist beaches on Terschelling.

• Where: east of pole 12 (near Formerum) and west of pole 8.
• More information: an overview of all naturist beaches is available from the Naturisten Federatie Nederland.

Display Nudistenstrand Tererschelling
on the map

Is metal detecting allowed on the beach on Terschelling?

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

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

Where can you find information on the sea water quality on Terschelling?

Up-to-date information on the bathing water quality at Terschelling 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 restaurants, beach pavilions and shops on Terschelling 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 on Terschelling 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 light a campfire on the beach on Terschelling?

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 Terschelling 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.

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