The 'Badepunkt' scheme aims to give a Nordic spin to the Blue Flag marker for clean, safe beaches.
"In the Nordic countries we have a lot of small beaches which are super nice and have clean water, but not a lot of facilities, which is more the Blue Flag thing," said Sune Møller Petersen, a consultant for Denmark' Outdoor Council, or Friluftsrådet, which manages both schemes.
"We started up the Badepunkt to show the beaches with good bathing quality and safety but which also have a good story around them, just a nice place to go, we thought of it as a 'Nordic flag', more specific to how Nordic conditions are."
Beaches marked Badepunkt fly this flag. Photo: Frilufts RådetThe idea is for spots on beaches, lakes or rivers awarded Badepunkt status to in some way promote the local identity of the area around the sport.
This summer there will be 51 Badepunkt flags flying at beaches and other swimming spots around Denmark. Here are the 13 which are new for this year.
Source: RøsnæsrundtNyby Havn
On the Rosnæs peninsular pointing out of the northwest corner of Zealand you find Nyby Havn, a popular marina for small boats in the summer. In 2017, the local Kalundborg municipality completed the construction of Aktivitetshuset (the activities house), which offers kayaking, changing facilities for swimmers, and a nice café to warm up in afterwards.
Sandager Næss
The white sandy beach on this peninsular near Assens on the island of Funen is a popular bathing spot, with good facilities at the nearby campsite. As the water is shallow close to the beach, there's a pier going out to the deep water. The beach is 200m long and between 10m and 25m wide.
Photo: Visit AssensMariandal Strand
Mariendal Strand near Assens looks out over the Little Belt straight between Funen and Jutland and boasts a sandy beach 200m long and pier for swimmers.
Photo: Løgismose CampingLøgismose Skov
This beach near Assens is only 5m wide, with a large grass verge which is perfect for sunbathing and picnicking. There is a pier going out into the water to give easy access.
Assens Næs Strand
Just to the west of the city of Assens, you find a 650m long sandy beach, with a pier to give you access to the water. The municipality puts on events on the beach throughout the summer.
Photo: Visit NordvestkystenVedersø Klit Strand
This long beach on the northwest coast of Jutland near Holstebro is already justly well-known among Danish and German holidaymakers, with a Badehotel and extensive facilities.
Photo: Visit VesterhavetSøndervig Strand
Søndervig has been a popular resort since the 19th century, thanks to its long, wide sandy beach. The beach has this year gained Badepunkt status.
Sidselbjerg Strand is another long, sandy beach on the northwest coast that has long been popular with holidaymakers, but which has only gained Badepunkt status this year.
A view of Nørre Lyngvig Strand. Photo: Visit DenmarkNørre Lyngvig Strand, Hvide Sande Strand, and Ringkøbing Camping Strand
These three beaches near Ringkøbing have long been favourites with holidaymakers and all three have been given Badepunkt status this year thanks to the efforts of the local municipality.
The first two are long sandy beaches on the narrow strip of land separating the Ringkøbing fjord from the North Sea, and the third is on the other side of the Ringkøbing fjord, with a new bathing pier giving better access to the water.
Hjerting Strandpark
Photo: Destination VederhavskustenThis park on the shallow Wadden Sea on Jutland's southwest coast boasts playgrounds, sculptures, and also great places for a dip. It was created as the outskirts of Hjerting were being developed as it is illegal to build on the coastal zone.
Hjerting Strandpromenade
This long walkway to Hjerting Badehotel was the result of an architectural competition part-funded by the Realdania charity and restricted to architects under the age of 40. The walkway has a ramp that takes you out to a sea platform where you can access deeper water.
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