🇧🇪 Belgium

Belgium’s shoreline is a continuous run of sandy beaches and dunes backed by low-lying polders.

This is a macrotidal setting: the tide drives strong alongshore currents and defines entry windows. Wind against tide quickly builds short, steep seas, especially by breakwaters and over banks. Sea fogs are not uncommon in spring and early summer. Traffic concentrates around the approaches to the Scheldt, with frequent fairway crossings.

Offshore wind farms are widespread, with associated restricted areas. Inland, canals and rivers with locks provide largely tideless routes. These corridors allow mast-up transits governed by bridge and lock schedules.

Cruisers can mix sea legs with inland shelter, planning around weather, visibility and tide. The coast works well as a corridor between France, the Netherlands and the UK.