Goeree-Overflakkee lies between the Grevelingen, the North Sea and the Haringvliet. The island has 25 kilometres of North Sea beach, as well as inland beaches on the Haringvliet, the Grevelingen and the Krammer-Volkerak. Fresh and salt water, high and low tides shape the natural environment and daily life. Those exploring the landscape will encounter not only coastline, but also wetlands, tidal creeks and a variety of bird habitats.
Tides, plants and bird habitats
The Slikken van Flakkee are part of the Grevelingen Natura 2000 site and an important area for breeding and overwintering birds. The Kwade Hoek is also an important breeding area. Visitors can spot lapwings, skylarks, stonechats, avocets and oystercatchers there, among other species. Salt, brackish and fresh water meet in the Kwade Hoek; visitors can also discover almost 300 plant species there.
The Hellegat-Ventjager Bird Boulevard has four birdwatching hides and the Torenvalk observation tower. From there, you can look out over the Haringvliet or the Krammer-Volkerak. The Bird Boulevard is a good place to spot marsh harriers, bluethroats, spoonbills and even white-tailed eagles. Each of the named viewpoints and birdwatching opportunities has its own distinctive focus.
Walking trails, cycling routes and water sports
The Koploper walking route stretches for kilometres through the Kwade Hoek, passing mudflats, salt marshes and winding tidal creeks. In Scheelhoek, there are green walking trails in both short and long versions, as well as a mountain-bike route. Among the birds that breed in the woodland there are great spotted woodpeckers, nightingales, Eurasian blackcaps and various species of tit. A network of cycle junctions and numerous themed routes also make it easy to plan your own cycling routes.
Visitors reach the Tij Bird Observatory by walking through the reed beds and scrub of Scheelhoek. From the observatory, you can look out over the Haringvliet and towards small islands where common terns breed. Goeree-Overflakkee offers a variety of nature experiences side by side: walking trails through marshland, a woodland area and a viewpoint overlooking the water.
There is also plenty to do on the water. Activities on Goeree-Overflakkee include kitesurfing, windsurfing, foilsurfing, wingfoiling, stand-up paddleboarding and sailing. Visitors can also learn kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing and wingfoiling; at the Zeil- en surfcentrum Brouwersdam, the basics of windsurfing are taught in a calm basin. If you plan to try a particular activity or take a course, check the latest offers and conditions before your trip.
Fishing heritage and a railway museum
The Streekmuseum Goeree-Overflakkee tells 2,000 years of island history in 19 historic rooms and exhibition spaces. The Menheerse Werf offers a closer look at the island’s fishing heritage: it opens a former shipyard from the fishing village of “Menheerse” to visitors and presents the history of shipyards, fishermen and the beug fishery from the time when Middelharnis was still a genuine fishing village. Visitors can watch the ongoing restoration of the only surviving beug sloop. At a tide board for the Haringvliet, you can set the times for high and low tide yourself. If you plan to visit the Menheerse Werf, check the current opening arrangements in advance.
The RTM Museum is on the north side of the Brouwersdam and has steam and diesel locomotives that are still in service. On a ride, you can look out from a swaying carriage over the Grevelingenmeer, while the conductors tell you about the Rotterdamsche Tramweg Maatschappij. As operating days matter when planning, it is worth checking the latest service days and travel dates before you set off.
A food truck festival by the sea
The annual Smaak aan Zee food truck festival, held at Beachclub ’t Gorsje, brings together more than 25 food trucks. The offerings range from regional dishes to Japanese sushi and pizza, alongside music, entertainment and views across the North Sea. If you want to plan your visit around the festival, check the dates, vendors and programme in advance.
Discover more destinations: Stellendam, Nieuwe-Tonge, Ouddorp, Middelharnis, Molenwaard, Albrandswaard, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Boskoop.
See the regional travel overview: South Holland.
