Westkapelle
Photos from Google
Two lighthouses mark Westkapelle: the Hoge Licht in the village, a converted church tower, and the Noorderhoofd on the sea dyke. That dyke is itself a striking feature. Westkapelle lies behind the highest and heaviest sea dyke in the Netherlands, built after the row of dunes here was found to be missing and the hinterland proved vulnerable.
The village belongs to the municipality of Veere, on the south-western tip of Walcheren. The beach stretches along the dyke and continues northwards into the beaches of Domburg, which lies less than two kilometres away. Zoutelande follows at almost four kilometres, Oostkapelle at just over six.
There are two beach clubs on the beach. They maintain an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. The atmosphere ranges from relaxed to lively, depending on the season and the time of day. The offering runs from brunch and lunch to dinner, so you can drop by both during the day and in the evening.
Westkapelle draws a mixed crowd. Surfers and kitesurfers come for the wind and the open setting on the North Sea, walkers cover the dyke and the beach, and families opt for the broad sandy beach. The combination of sea, dyke and the two lighthouses gives the village a character of its own that sets it apart from the seaside resorts further along.
The beach is wide and slopes gently, which makes it suitable for families with children. At the beach clubs you can call in for a drink or a meal without having to walk far. The position against the dyke also means the village buildings are close by, with shops and places to eat and drink within walking distance of the beach.
If you come by car, you will find parking within walking distance of the beach. Some of it is paid parking. You will find the exact rates and locations in the parking overview on this page. By public transport, Westkapelle is less directly reachable: the nearest station is Middelburg, just over eleven kilometres away, from where you travel on by bus.
The history of Westkapelle is bound up with the Second World War. In October 1944 the sea dyke was bombed to flood Walcheren and weaken the German defences. The village suffered major damage in the process. On the dyke, a monument and a tank on display recall these events. It makes a walk along the dyke more than just a view of the sea.
For dogs, the rules of the municipality of Veere for the other beaches apply in Westkapelle. You can read more about that below. For anyone combining the beach with a day out, Domburg and Zoutelande are close enough to reach within a short drive or a brisk walk.
Great for
The beach at Westkapelle is wide and slopes gently, which makes it easy to keep an eye on children. The two beach clubs are close to the sand, so you do not have to walk far for a drink or a bite to eat. The village lies behind the dyke, with shops and places to eat and drink within walking distance. That makes it practical for a day with the family.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs. On the beach itself, the rules of the municipality of Veere for the other beaches apply. During the summer months your dog must be on a short lead during the day; outside those hours it may run free. The details are below under the beach zones.
The beach clubs also serve dinner in the evening, with a view of the sea and the sunset on the western side of Walcheren. The average rating of 4.5 out of 5 points to a well-kept kitchen. The two lighthouses and the dyke give the view a distinctive backdrop.
During the day you can call in at both beach clubs for brunch and lunch. The offering ranges from a light meal to a more extensive menu. The position right on the beach makes it easy to break up a walk along the dyke.
The combination of beach, sea and wind makes Westkapelle suitable for an active day, for example around surfing or a walk along the dyke. The beach clubs offer room to settle in afterwards with the group. The open setting on the North Sea offers opportunities for watersports for groups.
In wind and rain, the sea dyke with its two lighthouses and the war monument gives you a reason to head out anyway. The beach clubs are a place to warm up indoors. Domburg is a short distance away for more covered facilities and shops.
In the summer months Westkapelle is at its busiest. The broad beach, the two beach clubs and the proximity of Domburg draw plenty of day visitors and holidaymakers then. The atmosphere in that period is lively, especially on warm days.
The setting on the open North Sea makes the village appealing to surfers and kitesurfers. Wind is often present here, which draws watersports enthusiasts in the early and late season too. Outside summer it is quieter, with more emphasis on walking along the dyke and the beach.
The bathing season runs from 1 May to 15 September inclusive. During that period the stricter dog rules apply and the crowds are at their largest. Outside it, the beach is quieter and dogs have more freedom.
The sea dyke is a recognisable feature all year round. The monument and the tank on the dyke recall the events of 1944 and make a walk worthwhile throughout the year, whatever the weather.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you are best off choosing the edges of the season or the early morning and the evening. The beach is then quieter and the pressure on parking is lower.
Parking
3 marked as paid, 8 with no fee info. Tap a pin for the name and directions.
Parking payment details come from OpenStreetMap and may be incomplete. Please check locally.
Nearby seaside resorts
Last updated: 23 June 2026