Wadden Sea, Shallow sea between North Sea and mainland of Netherlands, Germany
The Wadden Sea is a shallow coastal zone stretching 450 kilometers along the North Sea, featuring wide tidal flats, channels, and sandbanks that appear when the water recedes. This marine area sits between the open sea and the mainland and reshapes itself twice daily with the tides.
Since 1978, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark have worked together to protect this coastal area and maintain its natural state. The protection efforts emerged from the recognition that this sea was a fragile system threatened by human activity.
The name Wadden comes from the Dutch word for mudflats, describing the wide expanses that emerge when the water retreats. Visitors today walk barefoot across the exposed seabed and experience the daily rhythm of tides firsthand.
Guided walks across the seabed take place during low tide periods, which shift daily and should be planned in advance. Sturdy footwear or barefoot walking are common options, and visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions.
Over two million migratory birds stop here annually and use this sea as a resting place on their long flight routes. These huge flocks transform the sky into a moving spectacle during migration seasons.
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