Goeree-Overflakkee: Between Nature, Water and Island History

Water sports and routes along the water

On Goeree-Overflakkee, you can enjoy kitesurfing, windsurfing, foil surfing, wingfoiling, stand-up paddleboarding and sailing. You can also learn kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing and wingfoiling here. At Zeil- en Surfcentrum Brouwersdam, the basics of windsurfing are taught in a calm basin. Before your trip, check whether courses and activities are running and what conditions apply.

You can also explore the waterside landscape from land. A network of cycling junctions lets you plan your own routes, and there are numerous themed routes too. This means you can put together your own tour rather than being tied to one prescribed route. For a walk through a distinctive coastal landscape, the kilometre-long Koploper trail runs through the Kwade Hoek. Along the way, you’ll encounter mudflats, salt marshes and winding tidal creeks.

Birdwatching and nature

The Kwade Hoek brings together a variety of habitats: salt water gives way to brackish and fresh water, and almost 300 plant species can be found here. The area is also an important breeding ground. Birds visitors may spot there include lapwings, skylarks, European stonechats, avocets and oystercatchers.

The Hellegat-Ventjager Bird Boulevard also offers a chance to observe birds. Four bird hides and the Torenvalk observation tower provide different vantage points, with views over Haringvliet or Krammer-Volkerak. Marsh harriers, bluethroats, spoonbills and even white-tailed eagles can be spotted along the Bird Boulevard.

At Scheelhoek, you can choose between short and long walking trails, and there is also a mountain bike route. Among the birds that breed in the woodland are great spotted woodpeckers, nightingales, blackcaps and various tit species. Reach the Tij Bird Observatory by walking through reed beds and bushes. From there, you can look out over Haringvliet and the small islands where common terns breed. Check the current access conditions before your visit.

The Slikken van Flakkee are part of the Grevelingen Natura 2000 area and are important for breeding and overwintering birds. If you’d like to combine different nature experiences, Goeree-Overflakkee offers both bird habitats and routes through waterside and woodland landscapes.

Island history and special experiences

The Goeree-Overflakkee Regional Museum presents 2,000 years of island history across 19 historic rooms and exhibition spaces. The specific exhibition may change. The Menheerse Werf offers another way to explore the past: the former shipyard of the fishing village of Menheerse is open to visitors. You can watch the ongoing restoration of the only surviving beugsloep (a traditional fishing vessel) and set the tides yourself on a tide table for Haringvliet. The shipyard also tells the story of shipyards, fishermen and beug fishing from the time when Middelharnis was still a true fishing village. Check in advance whether the activities are available.

The RTM Museum is located on the north side of the Brouwersdam. Its collection includes steam and diesel locomotives that are still in operation. On a ride in a swaying carriage, you can look out over Lake Grevelingen while the conductors tell you about the Rotterdamsche Tramweg Maatschappij. Check operating days and travel dates before you set off.

A culinary event by the sea

The annual Smaak aan Zee food truck festival, held at the Beachclub 't Gorsje site, features more than 25 food trucks, music and entertainment, as well as views over the North Sea. The food ranges from regional dishes to Japanese sushi and pizza. Since dates, vendors and the programme depend on the event date, it’s worth checking the latest details before planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Stellendam, Nieuwe-Tonge, Ouddorp, Westvoorne, Ouderkerk, Albrandswaard, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Leidschendam-Voorburg.

For the main travel overview: South Holland.