Wangerooge – an island in the
“National Park of the Wadden Sea”
Along the coastline of the North Sea the tide has created an extraordinary and unique landscape: the mud flats. They are divided up between the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. The region’s nature is very diverse and the landscape is characterised by the succession of beach, dunes, salt meadows and mud flats.
Wangerooge is an island in the German Wadden Sea. It is about 8.5 kilometres long and has an average breadth of one kilometre. Counting more than 120,000 visitors per year, the island’s 1000 inhabitants mainly make a living from tourism.
Wangerooge has been part of the “National Park of the Wadden Sea” since 1986. Nature can be felt and observed all over the island, for example in the form of seldom plants and birds. Hence, parts of the island are strictly protected and access to them may be restricted or prohibited. However, you will also find areas in the National Park to move about as you like, to have a walk and to relax. Apart from some exceptions Wangerooge is a car-free island. Therefore, people move on foot or by bike. You can reach Wangerooge by ferry or by aircraft.
The institution
“National Park House Wangerooge”
Founded in 1989, the institution “National Park House” is a visitors’ centre in the “National Park of the Wadden Sea” in Lower Saxony. Every year, we have about 40.000 visitors coming to learn about the island of Wangerooge and the National Park. In addition to our permanent exhibition about the Wadden Sea and its mud flats and an experimental space for children, we offer numerous events. Addressing the young as well as the young at heart, our diverse programme ranges from guided tours and presentations concerning the island and its nature to all-day events. Our main aim is to make our guests experience nature with all their senses.
Our visitors are as varied as nature itself: they are people with or without disability, e.g. students, elderly people and families.
The Nationalp Park House is open year-round. Especially young people work here, supporting the National Park’s interests and activities mostly as trainees or volunteers.
Are you interested in getting further information about the island of Wangerooge and the “National Park of the Wadden Sea”? We would be happy to answer your questions and to welcome you any time in the National Park House!
Would you like to present us in another language? You can contribute to making the National Park House international and we would be grateful for a translation of this text into your language.
Janina Schnick, Braunschweig, Germany