Presentation of the Artificial Beach – De Nekker

Located in Mechelen, just 25 kilometers from Brussels and less than 30 minutes away, the artificial beach of De Nekker is one of the largest outdoor swimming and leisure sites in the region. Nestled in the heart of a vast 65-hectare green domain, this sports and recreation center combines swimming, water fun, relaxation, and sports in a unique natural setting.

Built along the edge of a large lake, the De Nekker beach features soft North Sea sand, perfect for families. A supervised 4,500 m² swimming area, ranging from 0 to 2.8 meters in depth, is open from May to September – but only when the green flag is raised. Children can build sandcastles while parents relax on the lawn or enjoy the sun by the water.

But De Nekker is much more than just a swimming spot: it also offers water play areas, a rope course, sports fields, a skatepark, an indoor playground, and three indoor pools in the covered De Nekkerpool complex. The site also offers accommodation options, including cabins, a sports hotel, and pitches for motorhomes.

Date of Creation :

2012

Management :

Provinciaal Sport- en Recreatiecentrum De Nekker

Facilities and Equipment – De Nekker Beach

Artificial Beach of De Nekker in Mechelen

Artificial Beach Infrastructure :

The swimming zone covers 4,500 m² with a gradually sloping depth from 0 to 2.8 meters. Access is only allowed when lifeguards are present and the green flag is raised. Water quality is checked regularly to ensure safety. The sandy bottom and gentle slope make it ideal for families with children.

The beach is made of fine North Sea sand, soft underfoot and perfect for sandcastles. It is surrounded by a large grassy lawn with shaded areas, ideal for sunbathing, reading, or relaxing with a picnic. Benches and open spaces allow you to unwind in comfort.

Children can enjoy a separate water play area with slides, floating rafts, hanging ropes, water jets, and summer inflatables. The zone is designed for safe and active splashing in shallow water, apart from the main swimming area.

Next to the beach, kids will find a modern outdoor playground. There’s also a ravotweide (adventure meadow) and a climbing rope course to stimulate activity and imagination in nature.

De Nekker offers extensive sports facilities for all ages: football fields, an athletics track, a skatepark, high rope course, hiking paths, and multipurpose sports fields. Tailored sports days can be organized for schools, companies, or groups.

The Nekkerpool complex includes three indoor pools open year-round: a sports pool, a leisure pool, and a toddler pool. In case of bad weather, children can also enjoy Nekki, a large indoor playground for ages 2 to 12.

The domain offers showers, toilets, changing rooms, lockers, and a bar-restaurant with terrace overlooking the lake and playgrounds. It’s a friendly, family-oriented environment.

For longer stays, De Nekker offers wooden cabins (trekkershuts), a sports hotel, and camper van pitches by the water. Perfect for school groups, youth organizations, or traveling families.

De Nekker is Green Key certified for sustainable management and lies within a beautiful natural setting near the Mechels Broek nature reserve. Clear signage makes it easy to navigate between the different zones.
Nekker beach mechelen

Address and Contact – De Nekker Beach

Address: Nekkerspoel-Borcht 19, 2800 Mechelen
Phone: +32 15 55 70 05
Email: reservatie@denekker.be

Opening hours – De Nekker Domain
🟢 High season (from 21 June to end of August)
The domain is open every day:
– Weekdays: 08:00 to 22:00
– Weekends: 09:00 to 21:30

Paid entry: from 09:00 to 20:00* (free access between 20:00 and closing time)
Swimming allowed: from 10:00 to 21:00*, only when the green flag is raised.

🟡 Tourist season (Easter holidays to end of June)
– Weekdays: 08:00 to 22:00
– Weekends: 09:00 to 21:30

Paid entry may apply during specific periods (see below). A physical ID is required from age 12.

Confirmed paid access periods:
– Easter holidays, holidays and long weekends, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays: 10:00 to 17:00*
– 16 to 18 June: swimming from 12:00 to 20:00*
– 19 & 20 June: swimming from 10:00 to 20:00*

Supervised swimming only on specific days (usually Wednesdays, weekends, and public holidays), and only under the green flag.

🔵 Low season (from September to Easter holidays)
– Weekdays: 08:00 to 22:00
– Weekends: 09:00 to 21:30

Swimming allowed only between 1 and 15 September, on:
– Wednesdays: 12:00 to 19:00*
– Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays: 10:00 to 19:00*
Free access (unless the management decides otherwise due to safety or weather conditions).

⚠️ Important
– Management may adjust opening hours at any time depending on safety or weather conditions.
– Swimming is only allowed when the green flag is raised.

❌ Annual closure period
The domain closes every year for two weeks during the winter holidays.
– Closure 2025: from Saturday 20 December 2025 to Friday 2 January 2026.
– Reopening on Saturday 3 January 2026.

de Nekker Maline beach
de Nekker Maline artificial beach
de Nekker Maline playground kids
Ticket Purchase Information
  • Tickets can be purchased online via the “Mijn Nekker” platform (account required, discounts available).
  • You can also buy tickets on-site at the entrance desk, especially during paid access periods.
  • A physical ID card is required from age 12 to enter the domain or validate a ticket.
  • The number of available entries is limited to 3,500 per day and is displayed in real time on the official website.
  • Once the daily quota is reached, no more entries are allowed—even for walk-ins.
  • Discounted rates are available online for children, schools, clubs, partner residents, etc.
  • Tip: To avoid queues and secure your access, book your tickets online in advance—especially in good weather.
Beach Nekker in Maline
Playground de Nekker Maline
Bridge beach de Nekker Maline

Entrance Fees – De Nekker Beach

Category Rate
Entry over 13 years old €4.80 (online) or €5.80 (at the ticket desk)
Children aged 6 to 13 €3.70 (online) or €4.80 (at the ticket desk)
Children aged 3 to 6 €2.10 (online) or €3.20 (at the ticket desk)
Children under 3 Free
Groups online reservation only

Reservations are made in Dutch via the website denekker.be. The process is simple and user-friendly, but requires creating an account, which you can do either before or during the booking process.

Water Quality

The water in De Nekker’s main swimming area is subject to strict monitoring by the Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij (VMM).
According to the latest measurements, the bathing profile consistently indicates an “excellent” water quality (with temperatures up to 22.7 °C in early June and E. coli and enterococcus levels well below safety thresholds).

The site is awarded the Blue Flag, a prestigious eco-label that guarantees compliance with European standards for water quality, safety, and environmental management.

In case of exceptional conditions (heavy rainfall, contamination, or algae blooms), temporary swimming restrictions may be imposed.
Unauthorized swimming is then clearly indicated by a warning flag until water quality returns to acceptable levels.

General Rules – De Nekker beach
  • Access requires a physical ID card from age 12 and up (library cards, driving licenses, etc. are not accepted).
  • Swimming is only allowed when the green flag is raised and lifeguards are present.
  • The daily visitor limit (3,500 people) and access hours may be adjusted for safety or weather-related reasons.
  • Disobeying staff or signage instructions may result in administrative fines (€50, €150, €250) and possible exclusion from the site.
  • Pets, barbecues, glass objects and dangerous items are strictly prohibited throughout the domain.
  • Water sports and diving are forbidden outside designated areas and without proper authorization (only permitted for clubs or license holders).
  • Fishing is allowed only with a valid reservation and a fishing permit issued by De Nekker.
  • Other restrictions: motorized vehicles are not allowed, littering is prohibited, and smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas.
  • Violations may lead to fines or temporary/permanent exclusion.
  • Full regulations can be found in the “Huishoudelijk Reglement 2025” PDF available on the official website.
Accessibility – De Nekker beach in Mechelen

Accessibility – De Nekker

By car
– Access via Spuibeekstraat (GPS compatible).
– Large free car park with spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility and coaches. Located directly at the entrance, a short walk from the beach and leisure areas.

By train
– 1 km from Mechelen‑Nekkerspoel station and 2 km from Mechelen station.
– Several bus lines (1, 510, 511, 512, 520, 528, 530, 532, 533, 538, 681) serve nearby stops.

By bus
– Easy connection from Mechelen station via De Lijn. Recommended stops: “Nekkerspoel Station” or “Sint-Libertuskerk”.

By bike
– Easily accessible, with secured bike racks (notably at Mechelen‑Nekkerspoel station).
– Direct access via the LF2 cycling route and provincial loops.

Accessibility for people with reduced mobility and all visitors
– Adapted toilets, showers, parking spots, and fishing platforms.
– A “Steps Plan” is available in collaboration with Toerisme voor Autisme, offering step-by-step guidance for visiting.

Geographical information
– GPS coordinates: 51.025215 N, 4.503052 E.

Tips and recommendations
– On sunny days, parking may fill quickly: consider arriving early or using public transport.
– For access during paid admission, a physical ID card is required from age 12 and up.

Contact De Nekker beach

Preferably in Dutch, as the staff primarily speak Dutch.

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