Frequently asked questions

• Am I allowed to gather oysters and mussels?

All information on gathering oysters, mussels and periwinkles can be found here.

• Where can I collect oysters and mussels?

You can find the most mussels and oysters between the stones in the tide zones and in the poos on the little beaches along the dyke. Read where exactly it is permitted here.

• What is the best time to gather mussels and oysters?

Between two hours before and two hours after low tide you can collect them. At high tide the shellfish are underwater and hard to find. See here whether it is high tide or low tide.

• Is it permitted to cut Salicornia and sea lavender?

Cutting Salicornia and sea lavender without a permit is prohibited by the nature protection laws. This permit is issued once annually by Zeeland Province.

• Is it permitted to take my catch of crabs and lobsters with me?

Shellfish such as crabs and lobsters are not allowed to be caught and taken. Not even in small amounts.

Some places within Oosterschelde National Park are restricted for visitors to allow nature some rest. Certain areas are only restricted during the breeding season. You can read more about restricted areas here.

• Can I visit the Easter Scheldt storm surge barrier (the Oosterscheldekering or Stormvloedkering)?

For safety reasons it is no longer possible to visit the storm surge barrier. You have the best view of the barrier from the beach at the Topshuis (parking at Dijkgraaf A.M Geluksweg 1), Vrouwenpolder and then walk around the Topshuis.

• Am I allowed to walk on the exposed mudflats during low tide?

No this is not permitted. The mudflats are very important for birds, they can only access the area when it is low tide to fill their bellies. We should not disturb this moment.

• Can I bring my dog?

There are a couple of areas where you can walk a dog on the leash and a few areas that they can run free, but there are also some places where dogs are not permitted at all. This depends on the vulnerability of the area. Walking a dog on a leash along the dyke is often not an issue. Keep a sharp eye on the signposts in the field. More information is provided by the organization managing the area: Het Zeeuwse Landschap, Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer.