🦐 UNESCO Heritage Adventure: Horseback Shrimp Fishing & Dune Hiking

From Brussels to the Belgian coast — by train, tram, beach and dunes.
Ever watched fishermen ride horses into the North Sea?
Join Sunday Vacations for an adventurous day on the Belgian coast, combining a scenic train journey, the iconic horseback shrimp fishing tradition of Oostduinkerke, freshly cooked North Sea shrimp, and a hike across the dunes of De Hoge Blekker — the highest point on the Belgian coast.
It’s a day built around discovery, nature, local heritage and good company — with plenty of time to explore at your own pace.

## 🌿 Experience Overview

We’ll make a perfect coastal loop:
Brussels → Oostende → Oostduinkerke → De Hoge Blekker → De Panne → Brussels
Expect scenic train and tram rides, sea air, a unique piece of Belgian heritage, beach time, fresh seafood and an easy coastal hike.
Solo joiners are very welcome. Come with friends or come alone — you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect along the way.

## 🏔️ Event Type

🌿 Curated Experience
A community-organised day trip combining culture, nature, local food and social connection.

## ✨ Highlights

• 🐎 Witness Oostduinkerke's traditional horseback shrimp fishing
• 🌊 Enjoy the Belgian coast by train, tram and on foot
• 🦐 Taste freshly cooked North Sea gray shrimp
• 🏖️ Explore the beach and coastal landscape
• 🥾 Hike through the dunes around De Hoge Blekker
• 🚋 Experience the Belgian coastal tram
• 🤝 Meet international professionals, expats and locals
• 🌅 Finish the day with a scenic ride back to Brussels

## 🗓️ Plan / Itinerary

10:50 — Gather at Bruxelles-Midi
Meet at Brussels-South / Bruxelles-Midi Station.
10:50 sharp — please don't be late. Trains don't wait!
11:03 — IC train to Oostende
We take the direct IC train towards Oostende.
12:15 — Arrive in Oostende
Transfer to the coastal tram towards De Panne and enjoy the scenic ride along the Belgian coast.
13:15 — Oostduinkerke Bad
Arrive in Oostduinkerke.
You’ll have approximately one hour of free time for lunch or optional sightseeing.
You can grab something quick to eat or visit the NAVIGO National Fisheries Museum.
Museum admission: approximately €10, paid separately.
14:30 — Head towards the beach
Free time ends and we walk towards the beach to find a good viewing spot.
14:45 — Horseback Shrimp Fishing 🐎🦐
Watch the traditional shrimp fishermen of Oostduinkerke ride their horses into the sea.
The viewing is free.
Around 15:30 — Fresh shrimp stop
We’ll have the opportunity to buy freshly cooked gray shrimp directly on site.
Bring some small change!
16:30 — De Hoge Blekker dune hike 🥾
We head west towards De Hoge Blekker for an easy approximately one-hour dune loop.
Expect sandy paths, coastal scenery and a refreshing change of pace after the beach.
17:45 — Head towards De Panne
Finish the hike and take a short coastal tram ride of approximately 15 minutes towards De Panne train station.
18:31 — Direct IC train to Brussels
Time to relax, chat and enjoy the journey back.
Around 20:00 — Arrive in Brussels
Event ends at Brussels-South.
Feel free to stay in the city afterwards for dinner or drinks with the group.

## 📍 Meeting Point

Bruxelles-Midi / Brussels-South Station
Gathering time: 10:50 AM sharp
Train departure: 11:03 AM
Please arrive early enough to find the meeting point, use the facilities and be ready to board.

## 💶 Price / Contribution

Sunday Vacations community contribution: €5

The contribution supports the organisation of the community experience.

Not included:

• NMBS/SNCB train tickets
• Coastal tram tickets
• Museum admission
• Food and drinks
• Fresh shrimp
• Any other personal expenses

### 🚆 Important: Train Ticket

Please purchase your train ticket in advance.
For the train journey:
Outbound: Bruxelles-Midi → Oostende
Return: De Panne → Bruxelles-Midi
Because this is a different departure and return station, make sure to select “Different return station” when purchasing your ticket through the NMBS/SNCB app or ticket machine.
The itinerary is designed around the Weekend Ticket option for the stated discount, but please check the current NMBS/SNCB conditions and fare before purchasing.

### 🚋 Coastal Tram

For the coastal tram, you can use contactless payment.
Tap your contactless bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay on the white terminal next to the tram doors when boarding.
Budget approximately €3 per single journey based on the current plan.

## 💛 Sunday Vacations Membership

Want to join more adventures?
Explorer — €5/year
For curious explorers who want to discover the community.
Voyager — €50/year
For regular adventurers joining more curated experiences throughout the year.
Ambassador — €150/year
For people who want to be deeply involved in the Sunday Vacations community and help others discover it too.
Membership is optional unless otherwise stated for the specific event.

## 👋 Who This Is For

This adventure is ideal for:

• International professionals in Brussels
• Expats looking to discover more of Belgium
• Locals who enjoy meeting international people
• Solo travellers and solo joiners
• Nature and hiking lovers
• Curious travellers interested in Belgian heritage
• Anyone who enjoys an active day with a social atmosphere

You don't need to know anyone beforehand.
Come curious. Leave with stories.

## 🎒 What to Bring

### 👟 Shoes

Wear sneakers or other closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on sandy and uneven dune paths.
Bring an extra pair of beach sandals for the coast.

### 🪙 Small change

Bring Euro coins or small notes if you want to buy freshly cooked shrimp.

### 🧢 Sun & wind protection

The Belgian coast can be windy and exposed.
Bring:

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Light jacket
• Sunglasses if needed

### 💧 Water

Bring your own water bottle, especially for the dune hike.

### 🍴 Food

Bring some food or budget for lunch during the free time in Oostduinkerke.

## ⚠️ Important Notes

Please be on time.
The 11:03 train will not wait for late arrivals.
This is a community-organised outing, not a package tour. Participants are responsible for purchasing and managing their own transport tickets and personal expenses unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Train and tram schedules, ticket prices and transport conditions can change. Please check the relevant operator's information before departure.
The itinerary may need to be adjusted because of transport delays, weather, coastal conditions or circumstances outside the organisers' control.
The dune hike is described as easy, but participants should be comfortable walking for approximately one hour on potentially sandy or uneven terrain.
Fresh shrimp availability may depend on the fishermen's catch and operating conditions.
Museum visits are optional and are not included in the contribution.

## 🛡️ Legal Disclaimer

Sunday Vacations is a community initiative operated by UJAMAA ASBL and is not acting as a travel agency or tour operator for this outing.
Participants arrange and pay for third-party transport, museum admission, food and other services directly. Sunday Vacations does not guarantee the availability, punctuality, pricing or performance of third-party providers.
Participation is voluntary and each participant remains responsible for assessing whether the activity and conditions are suitable for them.
Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the COCOF volunteer insurance framework.
The applicable insurance coverage is subject to the conditions, eligibility requirements and exclusions of the relevant volunteer insurance framework. The COCOF documentation indicates that covered activities may take place throughout Belgium, while certain higher-risk activities may be excluded.
VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code.

## 🚀 Ready for the Coast?

Pack your water bottle, lace up your sneakers and bring your curiosity.
One day. Two coastal towns. Horses in the sea. Fresh shrimp. Belgian dunes. New people.
Let's escape Brussels for a day and discover a very different side of Belgium. 🌊🦐🥾
See you at Bruxelles-Midi — 10:50 sharp!