Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park Wilhelmshaven

At 345,000 hectares, the wadden sea by the Lower Saxon North Sea coast is the second biggest national park in Germany. It is even recognised as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Alongside thhe Hamburg and the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, it makes part of three natural reserves of its kind in Germany.

A hike through the mudflats is an absolute must-do here to explore the wadden sea as a unique habitat. However, you should go with a trained guide, and never by yourself, in order to avoid the dangers of the returning tide or sudden changes in weather. Three visitor centres as well as 13 national park houses along with further educational partners teach you all about this extraordinary area. The main goal of the park is to protect the natural habitat and the characteristic biodiversity.

The Lower Saxon Wadden Sea has been protected as a natural park since 1986. In 1993, the park was also recognised as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and as world natural heritage in 2009. 

There are several information and visitor centres along the coast of the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park.

Wilhemshaven Visitor Centre

To get to Wilhemshaven, follow motorway A29. Leave the road at exit 6-Sande. At the roundabout, take the third exit (Oldenburger Damm). Leave the next roundabout at the second exit, then turn right towards Buschhausen. Continue straight, then turn onto Helmholzstraße after 2.3km/1.6mi. At the next roundabout, take the first exit and continue towards UNESCO-Weltnaturerbe Wattenmeer Besucherzentrum.

National Park House Seal Station Norddeich

Norddeich is part of the city of Norden. You get here following motorway A31 to Emden, where you change onto B210. After around 13km/8mi, turn left onto Norder Straße / B72, which you follow for 20km/12.4mi. At the roundabout, take the third exit (Ostermarscher Straße), and drive to the destination. A large car park is located across the street from the National Park House.