Description
The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea is not only a national park, but also UNESCO World Natural Heritage and biosphere reserve. Along with the Hamburg and Lower Saxon Wadden Sea, it is one of three national reserves of its kind in Germany. It stretches over 4,410 square kilometres, with a coast length of around 500 kilometres (310 miles).
Join a guided hike through the wadden sea, and explore the sea floor without any diving equipment. Walking out into the mudflat by yourself is not recommended, as this can be very dangerous. The wadden sea boasts a unique biodiversity, with around 10,000 species, from protozoons and fungus to more elaborate plants and animals. The main idea is to let nature be nature, which makes environmental protection a core value. At the numerous information centres, you can learn about the wadden sea; watch the diverse underwaterworld at one of the aquariums; and find out about the history of the national park.
Historical Information
The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea was declared a national park in 1985. The area is also EU bird protection and flora-fauna habitat, a particularly sensitive PSSA area, and wetland of interntaional significance. In 2009, UNESCO declared it world natural heritage.
How to get there
Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park stretches from the German-Danish maritime border to the Elbe estuary in the south.
Coming from Hamburg, follow motorway A23 northbound to get to the national park.