Nieuwpoort

The marinas there are huge but they are very well organised with great staff. We stayed at VYNieuwpoort (the middle one), food was excellent, make sure you are hungry when you go-big portions. In addition bike use was free for 2hrs each on all the days you are there. The old town itself we found rather dull and the apartment blocks along the coast are a bit, ummm how can I put this, horrible. Mile after mile of concrete canyon. The Belgians seemed to like then though so they must have some allure. It escaped us I’m afraid. Nice beaches.

PS it does have fuel so it scores that over Oostend
 
We often stop at Nieuwpoort when we go to Holland because it's an easy day sail from Ramsgate or Burnham. We usually go into the Airforce Marina, a bit out of town but we like it. The other marinas offer plenty of choice.
We have been delayed by weather and found plenty of things to keep us amused, such as;
Coast tram to Ostend and beyond. Stops at Nieuwpoort [1.25km] or Lomardsijde [0.5 km]
West Front Museum, how they flooded the land to keep the Germans at bay, [walkable]
Atlantic wall museum at Raversijde [via tram].
Bits of the old town are nice but the newer beach front blocks have little interest for me.
The yacht clubs sometimes host dinghy racing events such as Flanders Youth Week. It can get crowded then.
 
Stayed at VVW a few times now, I really like the place.Great fun exploring the canals with the bikes, decent restaurant and sheltered marina with incredibly helpful staff. Enjoy!
 
We stayed in the air-force marina a couple of weeks ago. V friendly, good facilities and excellent restaurant in the clubhouse. Nothing not to like. The town isn't as busy or interesting as Oostende but it's quieter in every sense - both the noise level and the lack of swell.
You pays your money...
 
Glad to see people enjoy Nieuwpoort. Numbers of U.K. visitors have sadly fallen sharply due to the red diesel shenanigans, but this is probably the best moment to visit before brexit brings back Q flags etc ?
I would add troublefree entrance at all states of the tide in all but the worst NW gales, perfectly sheltered marinas, two good chandleries, a very good shipyard for any repairs, welcoming yacht clubs.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to pm, it has been my homeport for 20 years.
 
westhinder said:
Glad to see people enjoy Nieuwpoort. Numbers of U.K. visitors have sadly fallen sharply due to the red diesel shenanigans, but this is probably the best moment to visit before brexit brings back Q flags etc ?
I would add troublefree entrance at all states of the tide in all but the worst NW gales, perfectly sheltered marinas, two good chandleries, a very good shipyard for any repairs, welcoming yacht clubs.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to pm, it has been my homeport for 20 years.
Click to expand...
 
Whoops sorry, poked wrong button.
Hmm, forgot about red diesel factor. Not really been following the ins and outs but got impression that all sorted now? Should I carry some receipts or summat?
 
We've only been visiting over the last two years but as a motorboat, we have a minimum of 500l of red in the tanks every time. We carry all the receipts but have never been boarded or questioned.
 
Next year - 29 March init. les Belges will have nothing to do with the colour of diesel anymore. Taxation will be a matter for the UK, not the EU. So the genuine Duty Free can come back if the Excise give us an allowance. Always assuming someone can make sense of what the plan will be!
 
Spuddy said:
Whoops sorry, poked wrong button.
Hmm, forgot about red diesel factor. Not really been following the ins and outs but got impression that all sorted now? Should I carry some receipts or summat?
Click to expand...
For the time being you will have no problem. The matter has been referred to the European Court of Justice. As long as there is no outcome, Belgian Customs have promised not to take action. A verdict may take a few years.
If brexit happens, there will be a totally new situation. No one can tell what will happen with red diesel and I can imagine it will be very low on the very long list of matters that will have to be settled.
 
Thanks for clearing that up,Johan. I did have a look at the thread devoted to this topic but was not much wiser
 
Plum said:
And you still can't get diesel anywhere in Ostend harbour (unless you get it in cans from a roadsite fuel station) as I just checked today with the Royal North Sea Yacht Club via email.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Click to expand...

i have known one Practical crew who hired a 2 man peddle quad bike from the promenade on Oostende & made 2 shortish trips beyond the Delhazie sm to get diesel in cans, the 2nd trip involved ice creams & that required one steering & the other acted as brake man so ice creams could be eaten on the way back
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

P
Essential pre purchase or even pre survey checks
2
Replies
28
Views
919
Refueler
Refueler

Share this page

Top