Clean beach, good feeling
Will you lend a hand in keeping the beach clean?
The beaches on Goeree-Overflakkee have been nominated and named the cleanest beach in the Netherlands several times. In October 2025, our beaches - with a score of no less than 9.3 - were declared the cleanest in South Holland. A clean beach is not only nice for you as a beachgoer, but also for all the animals that live on the beach and in the sea.
Sand, sea and... clutter? Rather not.
The beach is there to be enjoyed. Bare feet in the sand, relaxing with an ice cream in your hand. Lovely. But do you know what is less delicious? An empty chip bag among the shells. A can that rolls right into the sea. Litter, plastic and cigarette butts don't belong on the beach. Animals eat it or get caught in it. What can you do? Very simple: 1) Take litter with you. 2) Teach kids that litter on the beach is just as weird as on the couch at home. 3) Go beachcombing sometime, super fun for yourself and the beach! To give you a hand, at every beach entrance there is a pole with rubbish bags, take one with you before you walk onto the beach.
Green beaches
There are 2 green beaches on Goeree-Overflakkee. Nature beach Kwade Hoek Hoek and bathing beach Vuurtoren. You reach the green beaches via the beach entrances Kwade Hoek, de Waterleiding, Vuurtoren. On a green beach, beach management is tailored to nature. To preserve beach life, biodiversity and nesting birds, the beach is cleaned manually by volunteers. In this way, washed-up sea life such as seaweed and shells remain on the beach and nature has a chance to develop.
An island to be proud of
Did you know that Goeree-Overflakkee is not just another beautiful part of the Netherlands? The nature and coast here received a platinum award from Quality Coast: Best of Nature a few years back, and Goeree-Overflakkee has officially been among the world's most sustainable destinations ever since. Nice, isn't it? And as if that were not enough: Goeree-Overflakkee's beaches have been nominated and voted the cleanest beach in the Netherlands several times. Every year, beaches are rewarded with a Blue Flag or Green Pennant. We should be a bit proud of that. And even prouder if we keep it that way together.
Go beachcombing
Are you ready for an adventure on the beach? Bring a bag or bucket and discover what the beach has to offer. From shells, ray eggs and seaweed to washed-up bottles, driftwood and unique finds. While beachcombing, do you find plastic or anything else that doesn't belong on the beach? Then take that with you too. This way you help nature and birds. Go out yourself or join a guided excursion or event where you can learn more about nature and the special places along the coast, such as the Kwade Hoek.
Smoke-free zones on the beach
More and more countries are establishing smoke-free zones on their beaches. Spain, France and Finland are leading the way, with their beaches being completely smoke-free. Smoke-free zones can also be found on Goeree-Overflakkee. The two green beaches Kwade Hoek and Vuurtoren and the beach at Brouwersdam are smoke-free zones. Research shows that cigarette butts are the most commonly found litter found in the sea and on the beach. Smoke-free zones help keep the beach clean. A smoke-free beach is not only healthy for nature, but also for everyone who spends time on the beach.
