Oostduinkerke Beach

Oostduinkerke Beach, in the municipality of Koksijde on the West Flanders coast of Belgium, is best known as the place where shrimp fishermen still work on horseback. This tradition, recognised on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list, sees fishers ride heavy Brabant horses into the surf to drag nets through the shallows, and demonstrations are held on the beach for much of the year outside winter. The sand is fine and pale, with a wide low-tide shore backed by dunes, and the North Sea water is grey-green and cool, its clarity varying with wind and tide. The beach is open and exposed, with gentle surf that suits paddling and swimming near the lifeguard posts. The atmosphere is relaxed and family oriented, with a promenade of beach bars, showers and toilets along the Zeedijk and a more traditional fishing-village character than the larger resorts. Horse riding on the beach is possible in off-peak hours, subject to local rules. Cultural interest extends beyond the sand: the area is associated with shrimp fishing heritage and the Navigo fisheries museum in Oostduinkerke, which explains the tradition. Access is straightforward, as the Kusttram (coastal tram, De Lijn) stops at Oostduinkerke Bad, right beside the beach, and the coastal cycle route runs along the dunes. Car parking is available near the resort but fills in summer. Visitors who want quiet can walk along the waterline toward Koksijde or Nieuwpoort, and the dunes behind the promenade offer short walks through protected habitat. Evening light on the wide sand makes the beach popular for photography, especially when the horses and fishers are silhouetted against the sea.