Nieuwvliet-Bad Hondenstrand

Groede, Netherlands

Groede beach is a quieter, more natural stretch of coastline on the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen coast, part of the municipality of Sluis. This peaceful beach is an excellent choice for dog owners who prefer a less crowded environment. During the off-season from October through April, dogs can run freely off-leash all day, making it ideal for long beach walks with your four-legged friend. In summer, dogs must be leashed during peak hours (10:00-18:00) but can enjoy off-leash freedom in the early morning and evening. The beach is accessible via several dune crossings, and dog waste bags are provided at the entrance points. Strandpaviljoen Puur offers beachside refreshments and welcomes visitors with dogs. Parking is available at the Walendijk (free Mar 15-Nov 15) and at the Zeeweg. The surrounding area features beautiful dune landscapes and is popular with horse riders in winter — keep an eye out when visiting with your dog during the off-season. Groede itself is a charming village with a historic church and traditional Zeeland character.

Cadzand, Netherlands

Cadzand-Bad is one of the most popular dog-friendly beach destinations in Zeeland, located in the municipality of Sluis along the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen coast. The wide, sandy beach stretches along the North Sea and offers excellent conditions for dogs to run, play in the sand, and splash in the waves. During the off-season from October through April, dogs enjoy unrestricted freedom to roam off-leash throughout the entire day. In the summer months, the beach operates a balanced schedule where dogs must be leashed during peak hours (10:00-18:00) but can run freely in the early morning and evening. The beach is well-maintained with good access from the main parking garage at Lange Strinkweg, which offers 800 spaces. Several beach pavilions including Strandpaviljoen De Zeemeeuw and Caricole welcome dogs, making it easy to combine a beach day with refreshments. Dog waste bags are available at dune crossings, and owners are required to clean up after their pets — burying waste is not permitted. The beach is part of the wider Cadzand-Bad resort area with shops, restaurants, and the famous Het Zwin nature reserve nearby.

Vlissingen, Netherlands

Zwanenburgstrand is Vlissingen's dedicated dog beach, located between Nollestrand and Westduin along approximately one kilometer of coastline. This is the go-to beach for dog owners in the Vlissingen area, as it remains open to dogs year-round — even during the summer ban that applies to the city's main beaches. From mid-September through April, dogs can roam freely off-leash on all Vlissingen beaches. During the summer season (May 1 - September 16), while the main Badstrand and Boulevard beaches ban dogs entirely, Zwanenburgstrand and nearby Westduinstrand remain open. Dogs must be leashed during peak daytime hours (10:00-19:00) but can run off-leash in the early morning and evening. The adjacent Nollebos forest also offers an off-leash area between Zwanenburgseweg and the bicycle path along the dunes, perfect for combining a beach visit with a forest walk. The beach has a relaxed, local atmosphere and is easily accessible from the Zwanenburg parking area.