Heist / West Flanders / Belgium

This spot is a bit more challenging than many of those nearby.  Kiters and windsurfers come here for the waves, but they need a bit of experience due to the proximity of the harbour.

The beach around here is huge, consisting of a wide open area of sand and no sign of any rocks or stones.  You don’t tend to get very many people out here, and the climate is variable – summer air temperatures reach about 25C and the water gets to around 18C, while winter has air temperatures around 5 C and water about 6 C.

Like many North Sea spots, you really have two seasons here – spring and autumn are both good, while summer has lighter and less frequent winds.  The winds are generally good but gusty, bowing from either the east or west at speeds up to 20 knots or so.  The water conditions depend on the wind direction, as the spot is just behind the Zeebrugge harbour wall.  With a west wind the spot is completely flat, due to the shelter of the harbour, but with an east wind you’ll get plenty of waves, albeit small ones up to about 1m or so high.

You can park pretty close to this spot, almost right up to the harbour wall itself.  There are toilets and showers nearby, and a few food outlets dotted about too.  Rescue facilities are on hand, and there is a shop right next to the beach.

Don’t get too close to the harbour wall, it won’t give way.