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 Weather reports
 NL-Coast Guard:
   Coastal waters  and Continental Shelf
 local time: Oostende VHF 27:  07.20 - 08.20 - 10.20 - 17.20
Zeebrugge: VHF 69.   10 min. after every hour (however irregular and sometimes difficult to understand).
For Regulations and Qualifications click here.

Zeebrugge,  to IJmuiden. 93 m, to Ostend 13 m, to Dunkirk 40m., to Flushing 16 m.
General: With strong winds beware of irregular seas between the pierheads. This ferry- and container port is very busy and not exactly a holiday destination. It is however  a useful stopover since it is accessible at all tides (unlike Blankenberge). Marina:  Royal Belgian Sailing Club.  Investments in recent years have resulted in a worthwhile facelift. Well sheltered, very friendly staff, always a place available. Also in surroundings many renovations and a new promenade. Sanitary: old-fashioned but spacious and clean. plus launderette.WiFi: Yes, free of carge, good quality from Citymesh.  Provisioning: Bread delivery service in Harbourmasters office. A small Spar supermarkt  (closed Monday) and one GB market (closed Sunday) at 10 min walk near St. Donaas Church.  Restaurants:  2 bistros along the  boulevard (Rederskaai). Furthermore in the Vismijnstraat, 10 min. walk, various small fishrestaurant and 2 quality fishshops. And for the incrowd  in the same Vismijnstraat at no. 24 Brasserie Nelson: delicious food.  Suggestions: Classical music Klara FM 90.90. Take the tramway for an enjoyable coastal ride, stops in front of the Spar supermarket. Visit the lightship and the russian submarine at the rear-end of the port. Rent a bike and return with the tramway for € 17 per day, www.trapentram.be (only in dutch and french).

 Blankenberge J   to Zeebrugge 5 m., to Dunkirk 35 m.
General: Blankenberge is a somewhat "cheap" however pleasant, bustling seaside resort. Many restaurants and shops nearby Marinas. Inbetween the pierentrance in the summerseason deepened to 1.90 m. To keep a safety margin: access HW ± 4 hours (± 3 hours at Spring). Dangerous entrance as from NW B6 (heavy seas and danger of keel hitting bottom). If in doubt ask advice from the "FreeNorthsea Sailors" VHF 23.
Marinas: In the Old Harbour are 2 well sheltered tidal marinas:
X The Yacht Club Free North Sailors (VNZ), on arrival at portside, Only for sailing yachts, visitors very welcome. The marina is located along the walking boulevard and close to the towncenter and beach. Sanitary clean but 500 m. walk. Bakery directly opposite marina
X Scarphout Yacht Club, on arrival at sb. , also motorboats. Along walking boulevard and close to towncenter. Sanitary clean and in modern clubhouse at the marina grouds. WiFi; Yes, but reception insufficient at long visitors pontoon.
X In New Harbour/ Spuikom/Basin well sheltered tidal port: always a place available, less lively atmosphere than in Old Port, also near the center. In the Basin are located on its West side: the Water sports club VVW and on the East side: an extension of the Scarphout and VNZ .
Facilities: refuel at Volvo workshop agent, with good chandlery.
Restaurants: 1) Victory (opposite the bakery near the VNZ). 2) The Frigate (at the seafront) and the Mussel-House. 3) Along the boulevard:  restaurant Au Venitien - newly renovated (2008), modern and tasty - good price / quality. tip: during evening in  summer: stay at ground floor otherwise too hot! Can be crowded. 4) Right in front of the "Benches" (covered sittinggalery nearby marina):  restaurant Beaufort- cozy, very friendly and honest cuisine. Not big, so be on time or book - around 18-19H crowded with hotel guests. 5) De Oesterput, trendy, special atmosphere, quite pricy but excellent quality. Behind Volvo agent, cross entrychannel with small ferry. Suggestion:Rent a bike and return with the tramway for € 17 per day, www.trapentram.be (only in dutch and french).
Nieuwpoort, 23 miles to Zeebrugge
General: The attractive village with historical center is about 15 minutes walk from the Royal Yacht Club. Many fine Fish shops along The Kaai/Quai. Regular dredging takes place at the entrance channel and the adjoing marina's.
Marinas: After the pier entrance comes a channel junction.
- At the junction take the lane on your right and arrive at:
X  the traditional and pleasant Royal Yacht Club Nieuwpoort (KYCN), at the "good side" of Nieuwpoort just a 15 min. walk. If you wish to stay 2 or more nights, this is your harbour. It does not have a visitorspontoon or "corner. The harbourmaster at the fuel pontoon asigns you a free box. WiFi: yes Citymesh, also in Zeebrugge and Nieuwpoort. Restaurant: good restaurant with fine terrace also take away restaurant with daily fresh different meals. Breakfast service: Order with harbour master. Sanitary: Recently renewed, clean and roomy. Provisioning: Good Supermarket GB ( with delivery service at marina) and an Aldi just across the road from the KYCN. Suggestions: distance to Nieuwpoort 15 min. walk and to the beach 30 minutes. Bicycle rental on the South point of marina. Rent a bike and return with the tramway for € 17 per day, www.trapentram.be (only in dutch and french).

- At the junction turn to port and arrive in the great modern basin called "Novus Portus", there are 2 sailing associations (which are at quite a distance from Nieuwpoort center):
X Air Force YC (WSKLuM), If you just stay for the night, this is your place. Welcoming reception. Visitors pontoon right at entrance, places called "transit". It's about a 30-45 min walk to Nieuwpoort. You can rent bikes at the harbourmasters office. WiFi: Yes free but slow. Bread: Order the day before and before 6 p.m. at Harboutmaster and try the Butter-Croissant! Restaurant: in pleasant clubhouse "De Vierboete" for a pleasant drink and a good meal. Shopping: OKAY supermarket in Lombardsijde village, 15 min. walk. Sanitary: clean and launderette
X VVW Nieuwpoort (Flemish Sailing Association), a pyramide-type clubhouse. You can borrow bikes for touring/shopping. There are various chandlers and boat-repairs in the direct vicinity.
 Oostende J  
13 miles to Zeebrugge.
General: Real bourgundian atmosphere! Definitely a good choice to visit. New piers are being constructed, this will however not affect the entrance to the Royal North Sea Club (see underneath). Follow instructions upon approaching to the marina.
Marinas: There are 3 marinas, in order of entry from the sea:
X Royal North Sea YC under tight and bright management of harbourmaster Robert (van Hooren). 98% visitors. Open from March-October.Harbour is located behind the West Pier, near the beach and attractive part of the city. Sanitary: good with launderette. Provisioning: Shops, supermarkets, restaurants, etc. within 5-10 minutes walk. Good marina restaurant. Regular ferry traffic, but especially strong winds, can cause significant swell in the marina. Advice: If too much wind is keeping you in harbour for several days consider moving to the Mercator marina.
X Mercator marina, well sheltered behind locks, not very lively, little boring, mainly for residents. Located in central city, near a large supermarket Delhaize. Sanitary: mediocre.
X Royal Ostend YC since 1846. Third choice for visitors. At the back of the Ostend harbour complex. Well passed the turnoff to the previous 2 marinas. Walk-a-shore pontoons, well sheltered, a bit noisy because of nearby highway. Club Restaurant: good quality. Take the bus, or tramway -every 15 minutes- to  downtown. Shops: nearby. Suggestion: make a tour with the coastal tramway. Rent a bike and return with the tramway for € 17 per day, www.trapentram.be (only in dutch and french).
Bijgewerkt: 8 July 2011