The Wadden Experience Point in Den Oever is a viewpoint over the Wadden Sea. You can look out over the ‘t Schor nature reserve, the dam with the largest spoonbill colony in Europe (Vogelsandt), the former island of Wieringen, the harbor of Den Oever and the Afsluitdijk.
The eye-catcher is equipped with information panels on which the visitor can learn all about the fauna above and below water, about the Wadden area and of course about the special birds that reside in the area: as a stopover or as a permanent residence. The Leidam, also called ‘the banana’ because it has that shape, is home to the largest spoonbill colony in Europe in the summer. To be able to see far, two telescopes have been placed on the top platform. Also special is the fact that the Wadden Experience Point is located in one of the darkest places in our country and is therefore ideally suited to enjoy the starry sky.
At Viscentre ‘t Wad you can pick up binoculars against a loan (deposit) for use at the Wadden experience point. Deposit is €50 per viewer.
How do I get to the Wadden Experience Point?
The Wadden Experience Point is located in the Waddenhaven in Den Oever. From the parking lot in the Vissershaven it is a walk of approximately 500 meters over a narrow dike to the Wadden experience point. Den Oever can be reached by public transport via lines 135, 250, 350, 658 and with the FlixBus. From the transferium on Havenweg, where the buses stop, it is about a two-kilometer walk to the Wadden experience point.
The point is only accessible on foot. Bicycles and mopeds are not allowed there.
Accessibility
There are two disabled parking spaces available for disabled people in the Vissershaven of Den Oever. From there you can reach the ‘t Schor nature reserve via the Dokweg with a wheelchair or mobility scooter and from there via the dike along the Waddenhaven to the Wadden experience point. This route leads over a narrow dike to the bridge that connects the Wadden Experience Point with the dike. The lower platform of the Wadden Experience Point is accessible for a wheelchair or mobility scooter, the upper platform can only be reached via a spiral staircase.
Services
The Wadden Experience Point has no facilities such as electricity, water, toilets or catering. There is also no lighting at the point, making it one of the darkest places in the Netherlands at night. The point is always accessible to visitors as it is in open space.
Design
It was commissioned by the municipality of Hollands Kroon. The design is by Knevel Architects from Amsterdam and the maker is VSF/KWS. It was created in collaboration with Vogelbescherming Nederland, Staatsbosbeheer, the province of North Holland and De Nieuwe Afsluitdijk.
