Belgium

You may want to start your trip in Nieuwpoort (which is the largest port in Europe) then head for Dunkerque (France) in between the many sandbanks around the Zuydcoote Pas. Then over to Dover (England) where you can visit historic Dover Castle, from here you can go East or West along the coast. If you head 20 miles to the East you will arrive in Ramsgate, a charming English town. You can then go North to Harwich and up the River Orwell to Ipswich, with rolling green hills as the backdrop to your journey. Sailing up the Thames and visiting the many attractions in London is another possibility. You could also head West towards the Solent and any of the many other interesting destinations mentioned in the ‘Great Britain’ destination page of our website.

There are the beautiful scenic harbours of Saint-Helier (Jersey), and St.Peter Port (Guernsey) where you can sample the bounties of the sea brought in by local fishing boats. From Guernsey you can head towards Morlaix in Brittany or visit the mysterious Mont Saint-Michel or St Malo to the South of the Channel Islands. Please see our ‘France, destination page on the website for more options along the French coastline.

Another option is to start from Zeebruges and head over to Vlissingen in The Netherlands, then through the Walcheren Canal to Veerse Meer. You can continue on towards Oosterschelde and then Zierikzee or Bruinisse. It is an interesting trip passing through lock complexes and under the Zeeland bridge. On the return trip to Belgium along the coast you can visit Domburg, Westkapelle or Breskens before arriving back in Zeebrugge.

The weather in Belgium does not get too hot so it is preferable for people who struggle with hotter climates. The main season is from May to September when the weather is milder and less prone to being stormy. Although Belgium does not have a huge stretch of coastline there are several large ports with marinas and all the services you require for your trip. Brussels, Ostend, Antwerp and Zeebrugge are all large coastal cities with easy access to the sea. Recommended attractions at a selection of Belgian cities are shown below:

• Zeebrugge - There is a large harbour and port along with very good railway linksto other European countries. There is a huge fish market and a Seafront Park, where you can learn about the history of the port and the life of fishermen, along with looking at some lovely old boats.
• Knokke-Heist - Explore beautiful Pine groves and the unusually short 12 meter long beach! Zwin natural park has many rare species of birds, and with the clear seas you can go diving to explore marine wildlife.
• De Haan - This is a quiet town with not too many tourists and has the cleanest beaches in Belgium.
• De Panne - This is an historic town with interesting old architecture to admire. There is also Westhoek Sand Dune Park and enough swell for surfing.
• Blankenberg - Another large port which has a convenient harbour for mooring. There is an active nightlife and the main festival in the country takes place here, which is an exhibition of sand sculpture.