Guide · Zeeland · September to April
At low tide, whole fields of oysters appear on the rocks and mudflats of the Oosterschelde. You are allowed to pick them yourself, for free, for your own use. This guide covers the rules, the best spots, when to go and how to open and eat them safely, with or without a guide.
Short answer: in Zeeland you may pick up to 10 kilos of shellfish per person per day, by hand and for your own use only. Good spots are the beach at Yerseke and the Roelshoek, the Goese Sas near Wilhelminadorp, the Oesterdam between Tholen and Zuid-Beveland, and Wemeldinge. Go from two hours before to two hours after low tide, ideally in a month with an r.
The rules
- A maximum of 10 kilos of shellfish per person per day, roughly a hundred oysters.
- For your own use only: selling them, even to a restaurant, is not allowed.
- Pick by hand. Digging, raking, scooping or scraping the bottom is forbidden.
- Don’t pick on leased shellfish plots or fenced-off beaches; those oysters belong to a grower.
- Picking is allowed in the freely accessible parts of the Oosterschelde, Westerschelde and Veerse Meer. Rules can change, so check the province of Zeeland if in doubt.
The best spots in Zeeland
| Spot | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Yerseke beach and the Roelshoek | Zuid-Beveland, Oosterschelde | The oyster capital of the Netherlands; afterwards, visit the oyster pits and the OosterscheldeMuseum |
| Goese Sas, Wilhelminadorp | Near Goes | Where the creek meets the Oosterschelde. At low tide, walk along the Westhavendijk or Oosthavendijk |
| Oesterdam | Between Tholen and Zuid-Beveland | A long beach that falls far dry at low tide |
| Wemeldinge | Zuid-Beveland, Oosterschelde | A quieter alternative to Yerseke, with oysters on the dyke rocks |
| Scheldeoord | Near Baarland, Westerschelde | One of the few Westerschelde spots known for oysters |
Which oyster will you find?
Along the Oosterschelde you almost always pick the Pacific oyster: an irregular, elongated shell that grows into clumps. It came to Zeeland for farming and then spread into the wild. The native flat oyster is found almost only on farm plots.
When to go
| Tide | From two hours before to two hours after low tide. Check local tide times: they differ by up to an hour across Zeeland |
| Season | Traditionally in the months with an r, September to April. In summer oysters spawn and turn milky |
| Spring tide | Around full and new moon the water drops further and more oysters are exposed |
What to bring
- Boots or sturdy water shoes: the shells are razor-sharp.
- Work gloves and a bucket or net.
- An oyster knife and a tea towel to hold the oyster.
- A tide table. Never go further onto the mudflats than you can oversee; the tide comes in faster than you think.
Only eat oysters that are tightly closed or close when tapped. Eating them raw is always at your own risk; if in doubt, grill them briefly. Prefer a guide? Oyster excursions run near Wilhelminadorp and Yerseke, mainly from September to April.
Frequently asked questions
Oyster picking in Zeeland
Is it legal to pick oysters in Zeeland?
Yes. In the freely accessible parts of the Oosterschelde, Westerschelde and Veerse Meer anyone may pick up to 10 kilos of shellfish per person per day by hand, for their own use.
Where is the best place to pick oysters?
Along the Oosterschelde: Yerseke beach and the Roelshoek, the Goese Sas near Wilhelminadorp, the Oesterdam and Wemeldinge.
When is oyster season?
Traditionally in the months with an r, September to April, from two hours before to two hours after low tide.
How many oysters can you take?
Up to 10 kilos per person per day, about a hundred oysters. Selling them is not allowed.
Also read seal spotting in Zeeland and see the seasonal calendar for the Netherlands.
Habitat · The Netherlands
