Frequently asked questions about the beach on Schiermonnikoog

Dogs are allowed (both loose and leased) on the beaches of Schiermonnikoog all year round. In many other parts of the island is loosening allowed. Leash is mandatory only in urban areas, in the National Park and the Rif.

However, it is prohibited that dogs go after other animals on the island. This can causes damage to these animals, resting places or residence (such as nests or dens).

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

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

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

Yes, manual and electric beach wheelchairs are available on Schiermonnikoog.

• Badweg: manual beach wheelchair at the beach crossing; key at Beachclub Noderstraun.
• Bathing beach: manual beach wheelchair at the beach crossing; key at Paviljoen De Marlijn.
• Electric: the E-Jutter Wombat is at Paal 3 at the end of the Badweg; it lets you ride onto the beach on your own. Key at the bar of Beachclub Noderstraun.
• Booking: booking is not possible; the chairs are available when not in use.

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

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

Yes, the beach on Schiermonnikoog is free to access.

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

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 Schiermonnikoog 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.

Only with a permit; campfires are lit at fixed spots on the beach on Schiermonnikoog, near Paal 3.

• Arranging: through Paviljoen Paal 3, or for groups staying at a group farm through GRAS (Groepsaccommodaties Schiermonnikoog), tel. +31 519 531 421.
• Environment: fires are lit in special fire trays with clean firewood.

Sometimes: for a few short periods a year the air force trains over and around Schiermonnikoog, 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.

Yes, sea fishing from the beach in Schiermonnikoog is allowed; you do not need a VISpas (fishing licence) for this.

• Swimmers: do not fish among swimmers and keep your distance from supervised bathing zones.
• Nature: Schiermonnikoog is a national park; follow the signs and stay out of closed areas.
• Rules: check the signs at the beach entrances for local rules.

Yes, there are two naturist beaches on Schiermonnikoog.

• Where: east of Paal 7 and south of Paal 2.
• More information: an overview of all naturist beaches is available from the Naturisten Federatie Nederland.

Display Nudistenstrand Schiermonnikoog Oost
on the map

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/

As far as we know, there are no hooded beach chairs for rent on the beaches on Schiermonnikoog.

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

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

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

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

No, the dunes on Schiermonnikoog 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.

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 Schiermonnikoog 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.

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