The Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea World Natural Heritage is located on the North Sea coast. Covering an area of about 10,000 square kilometres, it includes the two Wadden Sea National Parks of Schleswig Holstein and Lower Saxony, and the Wadden Sea conservation area in the Netherlands.

The diversity of the Wadden Sea landscape makes it a unique habitat for more than 10,000 species of plants and wildlife Mussel beds, dense sea grass meadows and soft mudflats provide food for many animals. Flowering salt marshes in the transitional zone along the dykes and on the islands give way to white sandy beaches and dunes. For millions of migratory birds, the Wadden Sea is an essential stopover or resting place. Geologically, it is a very young area, only 10,000 years old, and constantly being re-shaped by the winds and tides. High and low tide alternate every six hours, transforming the landscapeas if by magic.