Best lakes around Goes are found in the Dutch province of Zeeland, where the town is strategically located. Goes provides direct access to the Veerse Meer, a significant brackish-water lagoon, and the Oosterschelde, a vast national park and estuary. These bodies of water offer diverse recreational activities and natural features. The area is characterized by its unique coastal landscape, shaped by the Delta Works.
Last updated: May 20, 2026
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The Veerse Meer is a very special place—a hidden treasure in the Dutch province of Zeeland. 🌊✨ It used to be part of the open North Sea, but today it lies sheltered between dikes and islands. This has created a long, inland body of water with crystal-clear, calm waters. Particularly beautiful are the small, uninhabited islands, which lie like green dots in the blue of the sea. Some can only be reached by boat, while others are natural paradises where rare birds breed and wild orchids grow.
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The cycle path above the dike is raised - logically - so you have a great view of the sea.
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The Veersedam, or Veersegatdam, was built in 1961 at the mouth of the Veerse Gat to protect parts of Walcheren, Noord-Beveland, and Zuid-Beveland from a potential new disaster. The construction of the dam, which was intended to connect Walcheren with Noord-Beveland, was not easy. The Veerse Gat was larger than the Zandkreek, and a strong current occurred at every high tide. More than 70 million m3 of water flowed through the mouth at both low and high tide. If the hole were closed with the same caissons as at the Zandkreek Dam, the current would eventually become too strong (the smaller the hole to be closed, the greater the current, as the same amount of water is forced through a smaller opening). The solution was the so-called "pass caissons," which, unlike the unit caissons of the Zandkreek Dam, were open. The section where the dam was to be built was first raised by spraying sand, and then a "sill" of stones was placed on which the caissons could stand firmly. The caissons were then placed one by one into the 320-meter-wide hole. At the time of installation, the caissons were still open, allowing water to flow freely, and only when the flow was minimal were the gates in the caissons lowered. Since the Zandkreek was already closed, a new lake, the Veerse Meer, was created. Much would change in this lake, especially as the saltwater slowly became brackish. Source: https://www.hollandlandofwater.com/de/veerse-gatdam/
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It's always fun for young and old to cross with the hand ferry!
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It's wonderful to reach the other side using your own muscle power.
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Enjoy the beautiful banks
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If you get there early in the morning, you can enjoy the peace and quiet almost alone
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Near Goes, you can explore two significant water bodies: the Veerse Meer, a brackish-water lagoon ideal for water sports and island hopping, and the Oosterschelde National Park, a vast tidal estuary known for its rich biodiversity and marine life. Both offer unique natural experiences.
Visitors particularly enjoy the View of the North Sea and the Veerse Meer from the Veerse Gatdam, which offers wide, car-free cycle paths and views of both the North Sea and the Veerse Meer. Another favorite is the general View of the Veerse Meer, a scenic spot along its banks.
The Veerse Meer is a water sports paradise. You can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Waterskiing and wakeboarding are also popular, with equipment rental and lessons widely available. Many visitors also rent boats to explore the lake's numerous islands.
Yes, there are many beautiful cycling routes. The Veerse Meer Waterfront Route offers magnificent views, sometimes passing through small wooded areas. Another popular option is the Trail between the Veerse Meer and the North Sea, which provides views of both water bodies. For more cycling options, you can explore the Cycling around Goes guide.
Absolutely. The areas around both the Veerse Meer and the Oosterschelde offer opportunities for walking and running. The Oosterschelde National Park, with its dynamic tidal landscape, is particularly suited for exploring on foot. You can find various routes in the Running Trails around Goes guide.
The Oosterschelde National Park is a prime destination for marine wildlife spotting, including seals basking on sandbanks and porpoises in the water. It's also recognized as a major diving hotspot due to its clear waters and abundant underwater life. You can also visit information points to learn about its unique ecology and the impressive Oosterschelde Barrier.
The Oosterschelde is a rich ecosystem. You can spot seals on sandbanks at low tide and even porpoises (small whales) in the waters. It's also a crucial area for thousands of species of plants, birds like oystercatchers and spoonbills, and diverse marine life, making it a fantastic spot for nature observation.
Yes, the Veerse Meer is home to 17 small islands. Five of these are designated as bird sanctuaries, while the remaining islands are accessible to visitors. They feature recreational areas and walking paths, perfect for picnics or leisurely strolls, and can be reached by boat.
Both the Veerse Meer and the Oosterschelde offer family-friendly options. The Veerse Meer, with its shallow banks, is ideal for families with children, offering safe swimming and water sports. Many viewpoints and cycle paths around both water bodies are also suitable for family outings.
The spring and summer months (April to September) are generally the best time to visit, offering pleasant weather for water sports, cycling, hiking, and wildlife spotting. However, the Oosterschelde's dynamic landscape and birdlife can be enjoyed year-round, with different species present in various seasons.
Both water bodies were significantly influenced by the Delta Works, a series of construction projects in the Netherlands. The Veerse Meer was formed in 1961 when it was separated from the North Sea by the Veerse Gatdam. The Oosterschelde, while still a tidal estuary, features the impressive Oosterschelde Barrier, a key part of the Delta Works designed to protect against flooding.
Yes, the Oosterschelde National Park is renowned as a major diving hotspot. Its clear waters and abundant underwater life, including anemones, seaweeds, cuttlefish, and even seahorses, attract divers from all over. Special tidal troughs allow for observation of the underwater world even without diving.


Still not found your perfect lake around Goes? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.