Plenty to do and experience on Goeree-Overflakkee

Top100 Sustainable Destination has natural beauty in spades

Fresh sea breeze, exploring nature reserves and even spotting flamingos and seals: everything is possible at Goeree-Overflakkee. Relax and enjoy in a beautiful and natural environment less than an hour from Rotterdam, Breda and Antwerp. This green, water-rich and sustainable island on the border of South Holland and Zeeland offers everything for a weekend away or longer stay. It is not only good in spring and summer, the rest of the year is worth exploring the island with its vast coastal area.

Scattered over the island are beautiful nature areas such as the Kwade Hoek, Scheelhoek, the Hellegatsplaten and the Slikken van Flakkee. Here you can spot deer, foxes, wild fjord horses, heck cattle, seals, beavers and countless birds. In autumn and winter, a group of wild flamingos settle in the Grevelingenmeer near Battenoord and Herkingen: a tropical scene on a South Holland island.

Rent a bicycle or electric scooter and discover this versatile island. Natural areas are interspersed with centuries-old polder landscapes. In the spring the island turns pink, red and white when the many tulip fields are in full bloom. There are marinas and authentic villages, each with its own character. Make use of the extensive cycling hubs and hiking route network.

On the west side of Ouddorp and the Brouwersdam you will find kilometers of long, wide sandy beaches. Here you can walk for hours, enjoy the sunset, play beach volleyball or simply relax. You will find shops, restaurants and conviviality. Ouddorp is the ideal base for enjoying the island.

De Brouwersdam attracts water sports enthusiasts from all over the world and can rightly be called an international hotspot. You can go for suppen, (kite-) surfing, surfing, kayaking and even a jump from the ‘waterjump’ car. Divers and sailors can indulge in and on the Haringvliet or the Grevelingen, one of the largest and cleanest saltwater lakes in Europe. Are you less adventurous? Then take a trip with a whisper boat or an old salmon boat, or sail on a sailboat. In the summer months the Waterbus and the Liquenda sail over the Haringvliet and the Waterpoortpont over the Volkerak-Zoommeer.

Goeree-Overflakkee is a sustainable holiday destination. The island has received the QualityCoast Platinum Award – a rare accolade – only four areas in the world have attained this achievement. The island also has a strong sustainability ambition and will be fully energy-neutral in 2020. The Blue Flag is waving in many marinas and on the beaches near Ouddorp. The flag indicates clean and safe swimming water, beautiful nature, good sanitation and a healthy environment. The beach at the Brouwersdam in 2017 was even proclaimed as the cleanest beach in South Holland.

But don’t stint yourself – take more than a day to discover Goeree-Overflakkee! There are plenty of options for weekend breaks or longer holidays. Overnight stays in a B & B, holiday park, camping, beach lodge or hotel, often provided with a Greenkey certificate,  is the hallmark for a local sustainable holiday.

More information?

Then look at http://www.goeree-overflakkee.nl, http://www.vvvgoeree-overflakkee.nl

Like us on Facebook: Goeree-Overflakkee or follow us on twitter and instagram: @EilandGO.Tips for great days out in Goeree-Overflakkee:

•            A Seal shelter and expo in Stellendam, here you can see how young seals are cared for and released. In the expo you learn more about the sea, the delta area, marine mammals, the delta works and the saving of humans and animals.

•            Fish auction in Stellendam, book a tour with a real fisherman and see how on Friday morning the version fish comes in and is traded. At the innovation center for fisheries you will get an explanation about new and sustainable fishing techniques.

•            Big five spotting, trek with a forester over the Slikken van Flakkee and try to spot the big five of the Netherlands. The seal, the beaver and the deer are all on Goeree-Overflakkee.

•            Fauna park Flakkee, in this zoo in Nieuwe-Tonge you will find owls, kangaroos, meerkats, flamingos and much more.

•            Climbing and clambering, Playground de Flipjes in Ouddorp is fun for small and larger children, but also the nature playground at the Galathese harbor in Ooltgensplaat is worth a visit.

•            Trains and locomotives, at the RTM Museum on the Brouwersdam you can view steam and diesel locomotives, carriages and freight cars and on several days you can take a ride yourself in an old steam tram.

•            Middelharnis and Sommelsdijk, a unique twin village: In Middelharnis traditionally a fishing village you will find city center Goeree-Overflakkee where you can shop and take a drink at the harbor. In Sommelsdijk you will find the beautifully decorated Streekmuseum which is located in a number of ancient buildings.

•            Goedereede, the beautiful historic town with terraces on the harbor and a museum in the church tower that once served as a lighthouse.