Frequently asked questions about 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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/

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).

Yes, on Terschelling you can borrow a beach wheelchair during the beach season.

• Strandpaviljoen West aan Zee: pole 8, West aan Zee, tel. +31 562 448 383.
• Strandpaviljoen De Branding: Midsland aan Zee, tel. +31 562 448 411.
• Strandpaviljoen Zandzeebar: Badweg 8, Formerum, tel. +31 562 445 172.
• Strandpaviljoen Heartbreak Hotel: Oosterender Badweg 71, Oosterend, tel. +31 562 448 634.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

All local surf information (including surfing schools) can you find on our special page: https://terschelling.org/en/cat/surfing/

Yes, the beach on Terschelling is free to access.

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

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.

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!