Oostduinkerke: Dunes, fishing and unique beach traditions

Oostduinkerke combines the Flemish coast with an impressive dune landscape and a living memory of fishing. De Doornpanne is one of the last large dune areas on the Flemish coast, located in Oostduinkerke near the sea, and has been included in the Natura 2000 network as a protected landscape since 1975. This creates an appealing mix for planning your holiday: you can combine nature, coastal culture and unique local traditions.

Dune landscapes and trails for active days

The De Doornpanne visitor centre is a starting point for hiking and cycling tours. Nature enthusiasts can therefore complement their stay with tours through the protected landscape. One specific option is the Spelleplekkewandelroute: this nature trail is 8.1 kilometres long, starts at the car park near Sint-Niklaaskerk and follows a paved surface. The length and surface are helpful details for planning your day if you are looking for a clearly defined route and want to take different interests within your travel group into account.

Those who want to discover the coast not only through its landscape but also through its history will find several unusual points of interest at the NAVIGO Fisheries Museum. The museum site in the village centre of Oostduinkerke includes a fisherman’s house with a herb garden, the Estaminet De Peerdevisscher and a memorial site honouring Flemish fishermen who lost their lives at sea. The new NAVIGO Fisheries Museum tells the story of fishing in all its facets.

NAVIGO: Experience fishing in an engaging way

One of the most striking exhibits is the 13-metre-long skeleton of the sperm whale Valentijn. The animal washed up on Oostduinkerke beach in 1989 and can now be seen in the museum. The OD.1 Martha, a protected monument, is also part of the museum exhibition. In the aquariums, you can encounter North Sea inhabitants such as prawns, sea bass and lesser-spotted dogfish. This allows you to shape a museum visit in different ways: with maritime history, an extraordinary find or the observation of animals from the North Sea.

Horseback shrimp fishing and regional traditions

One of Oostduinkerke’s best-known specialities is horseback shrimp fishing. During the summer months, demonstrations take place on the beach almost every day. In addition, private sessions with horseback shrimp fishermen can be booked in Oostduinkerke. Those who want to experience regional traditions rather than just learn about them in an exhibition can include these activities in their travel plans. The Garnaalfeesten take place every year on the last weekend of June, adding another seasonal highlight.

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Oostduinkerke, it is worth using your preferred travel rhythm as a guide. Accommodation in a place with dunes, nature trails, museum experiences and summer beach demonstrations suits a holiday plan that combines active and cultural days. If you prefer to select individual experiences, you can choose between the Spelleplekkewandelroute, De Doornpanne, the NAVIGO Fisheries Museum and the traditions of shrimp fishing to focus on different aspects.

When choosing your travel rhythm, you can also distinguish between fixed and seasonal activities. The Spelleplekkewandelroute is clearly defined by its starting point, length and surface, while the horseback shrimp fishing demonstrations take place during the summer months. The NAVIGO Fisheries Museum complements this planning with a cultural visit covering topics ranging from fishing history to North Sea inhabitants.

For the general travel overview: Koksijde.