Frequently asked questions about the beach in Bergen aan Zee

• Summer (01 May – 01 October): Angling with individual fishing tackle is only permitted on recreational beaches.
• Winter (01 October – 01 May): Angling with individual fishing tackle is permitted on all beaches. Fishing with fixed fishing gear is only permitted between the 36.5 and 39.5 km, and between the 40.25 and 41.0 km beach markers.

To sport fishing in the sea from the beach you will not need a license. To fish in lakes (and other waterways) is a license and a fishing license required. These are available in the tourist office.

So even though sport fishing from the beach is allowed throughout the year, one thing remains; keep account of each other! Be careful when inserting your rod to the other beach and sea users.

More information: https://bergenaanzee.org/pdf/2207_strandregels.pdf

You may leave belongings unattended on the beach for one day at most.

• Please note: they must not get in the way of other beach users.

Yes, the beach in Bergen aan Zee is free to access.

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

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/

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 Bergen aan Zee 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.

Swimming is prohibited when the red flag is flying and near the breakwaters.

In summer only on the activity beaches, in winter everywhere.

• Summer: only on the activity beaches.
• Winter: allowed everywhere.
• Seasons: summer runs from 1 May to 1 October, winter from 1 October to 1 May.
• Zones: the beach is divided into activity beaches and sunbathing beaches, marked by signs on the beach.

Sand yachts, blokarts and sulkies are not allowed anywhere on the beach in summer.

• Summer: not allowed anywhere.
• Winter: only on the activity beaches.
• Seasons: summer runs from 1 May to 1 October, winter from 1 October to 1 May.
• Zones: the beach is divided into activity beaches and sunbathing beaches, marked by signs on the beach.

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 Bergen aan Zee 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.

Yes, there is an official naturist beach between Schoorl aan Zee and Bergen aan Zee, between beach poles 29.5 and 31.5.

• Also: near Egmond aan Zee there are two designated naturist beaches, between poles 35 and 36 and between poles 40.75 and 42.65.
• More information: an overview of all naturist beaches is available from the Naturisten Federatie Nederland.

Display Nudistenstrand Bergen aan Zee
on the map

You may only drive a motor vehicle on the beach with an exemption.

• Summer: exemption holders only before 10 am and after 6 pm.
• Winter: all day, except on Sundays and public holidays, when only before 10 am and after 6 pm.
• Seasons: summer runs from 1 May to 1 October, winter from 1 October to 1 May.
• Zones: the beach is divided into activity beaches and sunbathing beaches, marked by signs on the beach.

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

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

Yes, in Bergen aan Zee you can borrow a beach wheelchair during the beach season.

• Strandpaviljoen Zuid: Van der Wijckplein 12, Bergen aan Zee, tel. +31 72 589 4687.
• 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.

Display Van der Wijckplein
on the map

In summer only on the activity beaches, in winter everywhere.

• Summer: only on the activity beaches.
• Winter: allowed everywhere.
• Seasons: summer runs from 1 May to 1 October, winter from 1 October to 1 May.
• Zones: the beach is divided into activity beaches and sunbathing beaches, marked by signs on the beach.

• Summer (01 May – 01 October): Angling with individual fishing tackle is only permitted on recreational beaches.
• Winter (01 October – 01 May): Angling with individual fishing tackle is permitted on all beaches. Fishing with fixed fishing gear is only permitted between the 36.5 and 39.5 km, and between the 40.25 and 41.0 km beach markers.

To sport fishing in the sea from the beach you will not need a license. To fish in lakes (and other waterways) is a license and a fishing license required. These are available in the tourist office.

So even though sport fishing from the beach is allowed throughout the year, one thing remains; keep account of each other! Be careful when inserting your rod to the other beach and sea users.

More information: https://bergenaanzee.org/pdf/2207_strandregels.pdf

You may fly a drone as an individual in the vicinity of Bergen aan Zee 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 Bergen aan Zee) 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.

Up-to-date information on the bathing water quality at Bergen aan Zee 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.

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

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Bergen aan Zee during the period 1 May till 1 October between 10:00 till 19:00.
• Outside of the above mentioned period and time are dogs allowed (both loose and leased) on the beaches of Bergen aan Zee.

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

More information: https://bergenaanzee.org/pdf/2207_strandregels.pdf

Nearest beach for dogs at Bergen aan Zee

Leashed dogs are allowed all year:

• from beach 27. Zuid in the direction Egmond aan Zee;
• from beach 25. C.F. Zeilerboulevard in the direction Schoorl.

Sleeping on the beach is not allowed anywhere, except in the beach huts of Egmond aan Zee.

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

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

• Summer (01 May – 01 October): Only on recreational beaches, or on sunbathing beaches before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Winter (01 October – 01 May): Permitted on all beaches, except on Sundays and national holidays between noon and 7 p.m.

More information: https://bergenaanzee.org/pdf/2207_strandregels.pdf

Yes, at most beach pavilions in Bergen aan Zee 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.

Open fire, such as a campfire, fire basket or barbecue, is always prohibited on the beach.

• Exception: barbecues inside or on the terrace of a beach pavilion are exempt.

No, the dunes in Bergen aan Zee 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.

In summer only on the activity beaches, in winter everywhere.

• Summer: only on the activity beaches.
• Winter: allowed everywhere.
• Seasons: summer runs from 1 May to 1 October, winter from 1 October to 1 May.
• Zones: the beach is divided into activity beaches and sunbathing beaches, marked by signs on the beach.

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

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 Bergen aan Zee 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.

[Answer in Dutch]

Strandpaviljoen Zuid
Links van de strand hoofdafgang van Bergen aan Zee
tel. +31 72-5894687
email: info@strandpaviljoenzuid.nl