Raversijde Strand

Middelkerke, Belgium

The Carlton Hondenstrand in Middelkerke is a rare gem on the Belgian coast: a fully off-leash dog beach open year-round. Located on the eastern stretch of Middelkerke's coastline, this designated dog zone starts at the groyne east of the guarded Carlton swimming zone, at the extension of Sluisvaartstraat, and continues eastward all the way to the municipal border with Oostende. This makes it one of the longest dedicated dog beach stretches along the entire Belgian coastline. Unlike most Belgian beaches, where dogs are completely banned between June 15 and September 15, the Carlton Hondenstrand remains open to dogs throughout the summer. Dogs may roam freely here without a leash at any time of year. The beach is a wide, sandy stretch backed by the Middelkerke sea dike, where benches and dog waste bins are provided for convenience. Parking is available along the Zeedijk and at the nearby Cyriel De Grootelaan car park, roughly 125 metres from the beach. Showers are available at several beach entrances in Middelkerke for rinsing off after a swim. The eastern location means the beach tends to be quieter than the central Middelkerke beaches near the casino, giving dogs plenty of room to play and splash in the North Sea waves. Dog owners must always carry waste bags and clean up after their pets. The municipality of Middelkerke requires bags of at least 20 by 30 centimetres. This beach is ideal for dogs who love to run, swim, and socialise off-leash in a safe, designated environment.

Oostende, Belgium

Mariakerke Strand is a quieter, family-oriented beach located southwest of central Oostende, stretching approximately 2.4 kilometers with a width of about 90 meters. Named after the Mariakerke district, this beach offers a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the bustling Groot Strand in the city center, while still providing good access to amenities in the adjacent residential area. Dogs follow the standard Oostende seasonal rules on Mariakerke Strand: from October through March, they enjoy unrestricted access at any time of day. During the transitional months of April, May, June, and September, dogs are welcome before 10:00 and after 18:30. In July and August, the permitted hours are before 10:00 and after 20:00. During allowed times, dogs can be off-leash on this beach (unlike the neighboring Sportstrand which requires a leash). The beach is backed by a pleasant dijk (sea wall promenade) with apartment buildings and local shops. It is quieter than central Oostende, making it appealing for dog owners who prefer a less crowded environment. The Mariakerke dune area nearby offers additional walking opportunities with your dog. Parking is available along the streets of the Mariakerke district. The Coastal Tram (Kusttram) runs along the promenade, providing easy public transport access with stops at Mariakerke.

Oostende, Belgium

Sportstrand is Oostende's dedicated sports beach, located at the western end of Groot Strand where it transitions into Mariakerke beach. The zone stretches from the stairway west of strandhoofd (groyne) 7 to the artwork 'Hulde aan Leon Spilliaert (Vertigo)' west of the Beachhouse and east of strandhoofd 8. This active beach area features beach volleyball nets, a climbing wall, and various water sports facilities, making it a lively spot for both athletes and casual visitors. Dogs are permitted on Sportstrand following the same seasonal schedule as the other main Oostende beaches: unrestricted access from October through March, early morning and evening access during the shoulder months, and limited hours in July and August. However, there is one important additional rule: dogs must always be kept on a leash on Sportstrand, regardless of the time of year. This leash requirement applies even during the off-season when other Oostende beaches allow dogs to roam more freely. The leash rule makes sense given the beach's sporting character -- with volleyball games, kite surfing, and other activities happening regularly, keeping dogs on a leash helps prevent interference with sports activities. The beach is located at Kon. Astridlaan 11, accessible by bus lines 1 and 6 from Oostende station. For dog owners who prefer to let their dogs off-leash, the Oosteroever Hondenstrand to the east offers year-round unrestricted access.