De Panne Beach

At up to 400 metres wide at low tide, the beach of De Panne is one of the widest beaches in Europe. It lies on the edge of the Westhoek nature reserve, which allows walkers to combine the beach with a visit to one of the most beautiful dune landscapes in the country. The expanse of sand is popular with sand yachters and beach fishermen.

Several adapted beach accesses have been developed for less mobile visitors. Mobi-Mat paths lead from the sea dyke onto the wet sand. Free beach wheelchairs and Hippocampe wheelchairs with fat tyres are available from the lifeguard posts at Sint-Elisabethplein and Dumontplein. The De Panne tourist office publishes an accessibility guide that can be consulted online. Adapted toilets are available at the main beach groynes.

Reduced-mobility parking spaces are available at Zeelaan square and Canadezenplein. The Coastal Tram runs all the way to the De Panne-Esplanade terminus, with adapted low-floor boarding. The sea dyke is almost entirely level, and the section towards the Dumont neighbourhood is also rollable. De Panne is very much a beach destination for those seeking peace and space.