Texel Things to Do

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Ecomare is the centre for the Wadden and Noordzee (North Sea) on Texel. The main reason for their excistence is enlarging the public interest for the preservation and recovery of nature and cultural values (landscapes, ecosystem, species) in the wadden region and the North Sea, with an emphasis on Texel.

Here you can learn a whole lot about the nature on Texel, the tidal fluts, the beach area, the Noordzee and the influence of mankind in this particular region.

Ecomare is the center for Wadden and North Sea on Texel. You can learn about everything related to nature on Texel, the Wadden region and the North Sea, as well as the influence of man in these regions. The visitor center of the National Park 'Dunes of Texel' is also based in Ecomare. The centre is beautifully situated in a 70 hectare large Dune Park. In this Dune Park three walking routes have been set out which are worth a hike.

But our main reason to visit Ecomare was to see the seals! Of course with two little girls (Iris and Britt) in our group it was a trip we had to make.

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Like I said, it was quite a surprise that we actually hiked our way around in the Slufter, we had no idea. So, this information was given to us afterwards. We learned that in 1855, a new wind-born sand dike was constructed about one and a half kilometers west of the Zanddijk. This dike was named the Lange ('long') Dam. The Lange Dam linked the Slufterbollen (the dunes north of the Muy) with the Eierlandse Dunes. Unfortunately for the Texelaars, this dike did not last for long. In 1858, the Lange Dam was breached in three places. Deep channels formed, flowing into the beach plains lying behind. These channels were named the Large and Small Slufter and the Muy. After a number of attempts, the Large Slufter and the Muy were finally repaired in 1887.

However, the Small Slufter kept growing and was more difficult to close. There were two repairs made in 1902 and 1910, but new breaches again forced openings. The last attempt to close the Slufter was made in 1925. When this attempt failed, nature conservationists successfully pleaded for truning the Slufter into a nature area.

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We were told that should it storm, watch out for wet feet, since this area is directly connected to the North Sea. During heavy westerly winds and spring tide, the seawater penetrates far into the Slufter. Many unusual plants grow here, plants that tolerate salt water to varying degrees. The Slufter is dissected by a creek system which extends far inland. The Slufter valley turns purple in the summer from the flowering sea lavender and red in the autumn from the aging salicorn.

Although the largest part of the Slufter is closed to the public, we did not meet much people. This was maybe a bit weird as we were there during a holiday break and the weather was really great. Maybe this means that it is not a truly known area, as we also didn't know about it when we entered it. By the time we left the Slufter via another entrance we also read at information sign that the Slufter is managed as a bird reserve, where you find eiders and sky larks among the nesting birds. The southern section is open to the public and is also accessible to those in wheelchairs.

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The best known nature area on Texel is the Slufter, situated between the Muy and the Eierland Dunes. It is a large salt marsh plain lying between two wind-born sand dikes. What makes the Slufter so unusual is its location on the North Sea coast. Salt marshes are generally found along the Wadden Sea shores. At first we had no idea that we were hiking in this particular area, we didn't see any sign about the Slufter and no explanation at all. After a while hiking we read on a (small) sign that we were indeed at the Slufter and from that point on we could truly enjoy its excellent natural beauty.

We were glad to read the sign, because it had quite some unique information to share, like: The Slufter owes its existence to human hands. Since the 15th century, the area between Texel and Eierland was a shallow channel with elevated sandbanks. Between 1629 and 1630, a dike was constructed across the channel from wind-born sand, tne Zanddijk. After the sea channel was closed off, land on both sides of the dike continued to form.

Texel can be so quiet, and so busy at the same time. Enjoy all the sea-views and maybe the Westerly Texel side, facing the North-sea is the most interesting, you could go for Oudeschild on the Easterly side to explore its beauty.

Here you´ll be watching the Waddenzee sea-side, where still are several historical subjects out of Dutch East Indie Company. And see the lovely houses located lower as the sea-level ...

This MUSEUM, LARGE 1300 square meters, is a wonderful one.

There is a fine collection of CARTS, the blacksmith will be working there and that is very interesting a thing to watch.
The hammering on the anvil will be deafening and the fire (and irons) will be red-hot.

A lovely exhibition shows you how people used to live in these regions and there are guided tours for schools / groups.

At the entrance of the museum you will see OLD CARRIAGES that were once used here in former days such as: a TILBURY, A LANDAU a GLASS COACH and the MAIL COACH.
The old DOME SHAPED farm is furnished as a farm of times gone by....

HOW ABOUT A RIDE BY COVERED WAGON??

A ride over the island of Texel in a covered wagon will take 2 hours. An experienced horseman will go with you and will bring you close to nature: a softly rolling landscape with MANY SURPRISES!

OPEN: from before EASTER till the end of the Autumn holidays (end of October):

Monday 13,30PM - 17PM
Tuesday through Friday 10AM - 5 PM
Saterday 10AM - 4PM
Sundays and Public Holidays 14PM - 4 PM

for reservations call: ++31(0)222 312851 or 320977

THIS IS A SPECIAL CENTRE FOR THE WADDENISLANDS, THE NORTH SEA AND TEXEL.

HERE YOU CAN SEE SEALS, safe and sound, playing in the water and believe me, it is such a joy to see these special animals.

There is also an UNDERWATER HALL and many more attractions for guests of all ages.

There is also a brand new Centr for the NATIONAL PARK "DUINEN VAN TEXEL" (DUNES OF TEXEL) WHICH YOU CAN VISIT FREE OF CHARGE.

This ECOMARE is a PARADISE for animals and people!