Oosterscheldekering
Neeltje Jans, Netherlands
The largest of the Delta Works, a 9 km barrier of sluice gates that stays open to the tide and closes only in storms. Park on the artificial island of Neeltje Jans to walk out over the dam.
The Oosterscheldekering (Eastern Scheldt barrier) is the largest structure of the Delta Works in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is 9 kilometres long; only part of it is fitted with movable gates (Rijkswaterstaat gives 3 kilometres and 62 gates, Wikipedia 4 kilometres), the rest is a closed dam. It was built from 1976 to 1986 in response to the 1953 flood; Queen Beatrix opened it on 4 October 1986, and the road across it followed on 5 November 1987.
The gates normally stay open so the tides keep flowing in, and they are closed when the water is expected to rise more than 3 metres above NAP. According to Rijkswaterstaat lowering all the gates takes about 75 minutes, and the barrier is closed on average once a year; Wikipedia counts 28 full closures since 1986 and mentions monthly tests of individual gates.
The island of Neeltje Jans at one end of the barrier was turned into a visitor centre; it is home to the Deltapark Neeltje Jans with exhibitions on the Delta Works. Please check opening hours and parking in advance, as zeeland.com gives no details.
- Nearest town
- Neeltje Jans, Netherlands
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 51.6395, 3.7110
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Netherlands: No motorway tolls for cars. 100 km/h on motorways between 6:00 and 19:00.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camperpark ZeelandMotorhome stopover8 km from Oosterscheldekering · 100 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityShowersWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Receptie RCN de SchotsmanCampsite9 km from OosterscheldekeringTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Minicamping KlaverwijkCampsite9 km from OosterscheldekeringTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- De ZandputCampsite9 km from OosterscheldekeringTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- De HeksenketelCampsite10 km from Oosterscheldekering · 25 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Veerse PotCampsite10 km from OosterscheldekeringTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Netherlands · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Oosterscheldekering?
Oosterscheldekering is in Neeltje Jans, Netherlands, at GPS 51.6395, 3.7110. It is about 11 km from Veere.
Can you camp near Oosterscheldekering?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Catharina Maria Hof, about 8 km away; within 25 km there are 350 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Oosterscheldekering?
Oosterscheldekering is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Zeeland and the Delta Works.
What is there to see near Oosterscheldekering?
Places worth a stop nearby: Westkapelle Lighthouse (22 km), Zwin Nature Park (39 km), Maeslantkering (47 km) and Markt, Bruges (59 km).
When is the best time to visit Oosterscheldekering?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)