Camping with dog on the North Sea

If you go on a camping holiday by the sea, you don't have to leave your four-legged friend at home. Pincamp presents the best campsites on the North Sea where dogs are not only allowed, but welcome.

The 5 best campsites on the North Sea for dogs

The North Sea coast is a true paradise not only for camping enthusiasts, but also for dogs. Long sandy beaches, dune landscapes and a fresh breeze: exactly what our four-legged family members like best. Many campsite operators have now recognised this and have tailored their services specifically to dog owners. We present five campsites on the North Sea where four-legged friends feel particularly at home.

Harlesiel

The Harlesiel campsite is situated in a picturesque location in East Frisia directly on the North Sea and is perfect for anyone who wants to spend a relaxing holiday with their dog. A section of the beach is designated as a dog beach - so four-legged friends can swim in the sea or romp on the beach as they please. Special caravan pitches are available for dog owners, and there are also many walking routes in the surrounding area where you can take your dog for a stroll. There is also a children's playground, sports fields and a trampoline facility on the beach.

North Sea Camp Norddeich

The Nordseecamp Norddeich is located in the immediate vicinity of the East Frisian Islands. The site offers a huge range of leisure activities and dogs have also been catered for. There is a separate area on the site with caravan pitches for dog owners, and you can walk your dog in the fresh North Sea air on the section of dyke in front of the campsite. To make things even easier for dog lovers, plastic bags are distributed on the site for convenient disposal of dog faeces. And if you need anything else, you can find it in the supermarket on the site. Also practical: there is a bike hire service on the site - perfect if you want to go for a spin with your dog.

Dornumersiel

The Dornumersiel campsite is another popular destination for dog lovers. The site has 69 pitches for dog owners and there is also a camping area for dogs right on the beach. From here, a short path leads to the dog meadow and the dog walking trail - there are also various walking paths for dogs in the immediate vicinity of the campsite, including the very beautiful, approx. 4 km long Hellerpad, which runs directly alongside the campsite. Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the campsite and in the surrounding area (see also the section below). After a run, you can clean your four-legged friend in the dog shower, and there is also a dog waste station with free dog waste bags.

North Sea Camping Neuharlingersiel

The Thalasso North Sea spa resort of Neuharlingersiel is a popular holiday destination and the campsite also has space for dogs. However, the number of pitches is limited to five, so it is advisable to book well in advance. Dogs are not allowed on the campsite itself - so you have to leave the site to walk them. Dogs are also not allowed on the beach or the dyke. However, there are plenty of opportunities for long walks in the surrounding area - please note that dogs must be kept on a lead here too. If you want to take your dog to the sea, there is access to the water at the eastern harbour between the Spiekeroog ferry landing stage and the area in front of the motorhome site on the North Sea.

Schilling campsite in Wangerland

The Schilling North Sea campsite is one of the oldest and largest campsites in Germany. A camping holiday on the almost four-kilometre-long gently sloping sandy beach is an unforgettable experience for the whole family - and of course for your beloved four-legged friends. You can stay overnight at the campsite either on a motorhome pitch, the comfort pitches for motorhomes and caravans or in a tent. However, dog pitches must generally be booked in advance.

Dogs must be kept on a lead and are not allowed on North Sea beaches

On the North Sea, not all dog beaches are the same. And just because a certain beach is labelled as a dog beach does not mean that dogs are allowed to run around freely there. Here is an overview of the rules on the North Sea coast.

Difference between a normal beach and a dog beach where dogs must be kept on a lead

As a rule, you are not allowed to take dogs to a normal beach - regardless of whether they are on a lead or not. If you want to take your four-legged friend to the beach, you will definitely have to go to a special dog beach.

Which beaches on the North Sea require dogs to be kept on a lead?

In general, most beaches and dykes on the North Sea coast require dogs to be kept on a lead. The reason for this is the Wadden Sea National Park, which is home to many rare and endangered animal species. Sheep often graze on the dykes, which should also be protected from dogs, with the exception of the Norddeich dog beach, where dogs are allowed to run around off the lead. There are also many dog beaches on the island of Sylt where dogs are also exempt from being kept on a lead. There is another rule in Lower Saxony. The breeding season runs from 1 April to 15 July. During this time, dogs must generally be kept on a lead outside built-up areas.

Where are there beaches for dogs off the lead?

The situation is slightly different on the Baltic Sea. There are many beaches on the Baltic coast in Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania where dogs are not required to be kept on a lead. Outside the season, a number of beaches are also completely open to dogs. On the islands of Rügen, Usedom and Fehmarn, however, some beaches still require dogs to be kept on a lead - it's best to check on a case-by-case basis, depending on where exactly you are travelling to.

Top tips for camping on the North Sea with a dog

Denmark is also recommended as a holiday destination for camping holidays with dogs at the North Sea: Henne Strand-Camping, for example, is a particularly nice place for dog lovers. Highlights of the site include a bungee trampoline facility, a gym and activity programmes such as morning jogging, fitness and group training. In addition to the beautiful beach on the North Sea - where you can enjoy long walks with your beloved four-legged friend - there is also an indoor adventure pool with thermal water pools.

If you are looking for a region on the North Sea with a large selection of dog-friendly bays, Sylt is the place for you. There are a total of 15 dog beaches on the west coast of the island. Whether on the beach or in the sea - the cute furballs can romp around here. In the east, there is also the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where holidaymakers can enjoy strolling through the beautiful natural surroundings.

In Neßmersiel in the municipality of Dornum, there is one of the most attractive facilities on the North Sea for campers with four-legged companions. The almost 8,500 m² dog beach there boasts a free-range zone, a dog playground and an agility fun park.

Excursions and activities

Campers with dogs love the fresh air in the idyllic countryside. The most popular activities that can be undertaken with your beloved four-legged friend include inline skating, hiking, cycling and fishing. Here are a few suggestions.

Hiking with educational information

The North Sea is a popular place for hiking, and this activity is also perfect with a dog. In addition to exciting bee and drinking water nature trails, there are also interesting tidal nature trails. A highly recommended and great themed hike is the De Hellerpad nature trail in East Frisia, which is located by the sea. This 6-kilometre tour runs through the picturesque Wadden Sea National Park. 15 information boards provide a good insight into agriculture as well as coastal and nature conservation.

Cycle with your dog along the Danish North Sea coast

A cycle tour with a dog is just as exciting. It is particularly rewarding to cycle along a section of the North Sea Coastal Cycle Route. This stretches along the sea from the northern tip of Denmark in Skagen to the southern end of the Danish coast in Rudbøl. As the entire route covers an impressive distance of 560 km, only individual sections of the route are recommended for camping holidays. However, beautiful views are guaranteed in any case.

Fishing in a paradisiacal oasis

Also wonderful: enjoy the tranquillity of nature while fishing with your dog at the Pütten near the North Sea resort of Tossens in Butjadingen. The list of peaceful and predatory fish that inhabit these lakes is long: carp, roach, bitterling, pike, zander, eel and many other species can be caught from the water with a little luck. Ducks, geese and the odd swan add a little movement to the otherwise tranquil landscape - a true paradise for those seeking peace and quiet and nature lovers.

Events

When camping with your dog at the North Sea, you can attend numerous events - including many outdoor events where your four-legged friend can join you.

December

• Christmas market in Klanxbüll: The municipality offers great handicrafts, arts and crafts and tasty treats at Christmas time.

January

• National Tulip Day: The tulip season opens on this day and you can pick tulips for free in a garden on the Dam in Amsterdam.

February

• Biike burning: Biike fires are lit along the coasts and on the islands of North Friesland. The old custom serves to drive away the winter.

March - May

• Keukenhof: The largest flower park in the world attracts visitors to the Dutch municipality of Lisse in spring with over seven million flowers.