Frequently asked questions about beach on Schiermonnikoog

During a few brief periods there is a training done the Dutch Royal Air Force in NATO exercise location around Schiermonnikoog. These exercises are held predominantly during the off season.

The training will be announced on the defense website well in advance. Whether or not the military exercises can be heard on the (tourist) beach, or in the village of Schiermonnikoog has to with many different factors, including wind direction and wind speed.

You can find more information about the military exercises on and around Schiermonnikoog at: https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/vliegbewegingen. For questions or complaints, you can also visit the same website and/or call the number: +31 (0)77 465 67 67

As far as we know there are no (free) public showers on the beaches of Schiermonnikoog.

No, you may not enter the dunes of Schiermonnikoog. This is to prevent damage. The main function of the dunes is to provide natural protection for the coast against the sea. Without the dunes a large part of the Netherlands would be under water.

In addition, almost all the dunes in the Netherlands is part of a nature reserve. They are an important part of biodiversity. In the dunes live many animals such as rabbits, foxes, deer, lizards and many species of birds. It's official forbidden to pick the plants and to chase animals in the Dutch dunes.

Furthermore you are (of course) allowed to walk on the created hiking paths.

There are on Schiermonnikoog two nudist beaches:

1) Beach located to the east of pole 7
2) Beach located to the south of pole 2.

Display Nudistenstrand Schiermonnikoog Oost
on the map

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).

On this website you will always find the latest information on the quality of bathing water on Schiermonnikoog: https://www.zwemwater.nl/

Possible messages are:
- Good: There are no reports for this swimming spot. You can safely swim.
- Warning: Swimming allowed, however there is a potential health risk.
- Advice against bathing: Not swimming, health risk.
- Swim Ban: Swimming prohibited, great health risk.

During the bathing season (May 1 to October 1) local provinces will inform you about the quality of the water of the official bathing sites. The measuring point is the place where most bathers are expected either where the risk of pollution is greatest.

Outside the bathing season, the bathing water is not investigated. If you go into the water off season, you must decide for yourself whether it is justified.

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.

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/

No, you need a permit for a campfire.

The campfires are fired in specially designated places on the beach, approximately at Paal 3. The organization ensures that the environmental impact is limited as much as possible by the use of special firing trays and "clean" firewood.

There are two organizations that have the necessary campfire permit and they can provide the campfire for you:

• Pavilion Pole 3
• Groups who stay on one of the camping farms can also reserve their camp fire via the GRAS (group accommodations Schiermonnikoog), you call the family Hagen (+31 519 531 421).

Access to and use of the beaches of Schiermonnikoog is (of course) free.

On the beaches of Schiermonnikoog there are no beach cabins (for rent).

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.

As far as we know there are no Strandkorbs (beach baskets) (for rent) on the beaches of Schiermonnikoog.