The Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park is a protected area on the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony. It encompasses the entire North Sea coast of Lower Saxony from the mouth of the Ems near Emden in the west (= Dutch border) to the mouth of the Elbe near Cuxhaven in the east as well as the offshore East Frisian Islands. Together with the adjacent mudflats in the Netherlands and Schleswig-Holstein, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
background
history
The national park was founded in 1986 and has been part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage "Wadden Sea" since 2009.
landscape
The Wadden Sea is characterized by an extensive flat area that comes under water twice a day at high tide. Due to the low gradient, the alternately flooded or dry area can reach considerable, locally also dozens of kilometers to the open sea.
The adjacent coastal areas and islands are also part of the landscape, as the dunes formed there are built up from sand that was blown away when the Wadden Sea fell dry.
Flora and fauna
climate
getting there
The North Sea coast is easily accessible by all means of transport. You can continue to the islands by ship or by small aircraft, details the individual island items.
By plane
The nearest commercial airports are Bremen
(IATA: BRE) and Hamburg(IATA: HAM).
By train
The North Sea coast is well connected by train. Railway lines from the south reach the coast in Emden, North dike or north dike mole, Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven.
By bus
Long-distance buses in Germany connect some of the touristically interesting places at least to the summer season. In addition, it may be necessary to take a bus for the "last few meters" when traveling to the islands by public transport.
Fees / permits
mobility
Tourist Attractions
The inhabited East Frisian Islands are good starting points to get to know the nature of the Watter Sea. On every island there is an information center with a natural history exhibition on the Wadden Sea.
East Frisian Islands:
activities
- Mudflat walks - For safety reasons, only complete larger hikes in a guided group.
- Trips by ship to seal banks - For detailed information see - if available - in the article of the islands or coastal towns.
- watching birds
to buy
kitchen
- see article of the islands and coastal places.
accommodation
- see article of the islands and coastal places.
security
Indispensable for planning a mudflat hike: Inquire as precisely as possible about the location (the mudflats), the tides and the weather (risk of thunderstorms, storm warnings and possibly the risk of fog). It is therefore best to join a guided group.
For longer hikes that go further out into the mudflats, you should definitely join a guided group for safety reasons.
