Experience a night on the Wadden Sea!
Beaching, mudflat hiking & spending the night on the mudflats – A weekend you'll never forget!
- Beaching and walking on the seabed
- Spend the night in the silence and darkness of the Wadden Sea
- Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax in nature
- A special adventure for friends, family or colleagues
- A unique bucket list experience in the most beautiful nature reserve in the Netherlands, so close to home
Looking for a unique outing with family, friends, or colleagues, perhaps to celebrate something or simply experience something special together? You don't have to travel far for an unforgettable bucket-list experience. The best adventure is closer to home than you think!
On this page, we'll introduce you to the most beautiful experiences you can have on the Wadden Sea: beaching, mudflat hiking, and a night at anchor on the mudflats! This is the ultimate weekend for groups who want to experience something special together, in the heart of the most beautiful nature reserve in the Netherlands: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wadden Sea.
What does the weekend look like?
Friday evening at 8:00 PM, you'll embark on one of our traditional flat-bottomed boats in Harlingen harbor. You'll spend the first evening relaxing in the harbor, enjoying the atmosphere and the view over the water. Saturday morning, we'll set sail for the Wadden Sea. We'll sail to a spot where we'll run aground. We'll run the ship aground on a sandbank, and the water will slowly recede, revealing the seabed. This is where the magic begins: you'll disembark and walk across the seabed. As you walk across the sandbanks, you'll experience the sounds of foraging birds and spouting lugworms. You'll see shrimp, crabs, and small flatfish. There are cockles, mussels, and oysters to gather. In some parts of the Wadden Sea, you can find up to 100 cockles per square meter. Discover why the Wadden Sea is so special that it has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, time slows down and you can truly unwind. After the mudflat hike, the ship will remain at anchor in the middle of the mudflats. Here, far from civilization, you'll experience the night like you'll find almost nowhere else in the Netherlands: in true darkness. The Wadden Sea area is one of the few places where it still gets truly dark. The starry sky is breathtaking – the Milky Way, countless stars, and even planets like Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn are visible here. A night on the mudflats is an experience you won't soon forget. If the tide and conditions are favorable, the ship can remain at anchor on the sandbank and will be dry again in the morning, waking up on a dried-out Wadden Sea. On Sunday, we'll sail leisurely back to Harlingen. Around 5:00 PM, the weekend will come to an end, and you'll disembark with a head full of new memories and a feeling of deep relaxation.
Information and prices
Want to know more about what a weekend like this looks like, or are you curious about the prices and options? Click the button below for more information and prices. We hope to welcome you aboard soon for a truly special stay on the Wadden Sea!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What beaching on the Wadden Sea mean? When we beach the ship, the ship sails on a sandbank at high tide. With ebb tide, the water recedes, and at low tide, the ship lies dry on the mudflats. Then you can walk along the seabed, discover shells and crabs, and experience nature up close. With the tide, the water returns, and the ship floats again.
How does mudflat hiking on the Wadden Sea work? Mudflat hiking involves walking independently across the seabed during low tide. You can explore the sand and mudflats, observe lugworms, shells, and birds, and experience the unique nature of the Wadden Sea up close. The experience is exciting and safe, as long as you follow the safety instructions on board.
Can I join with my family or friends? Yes, our sailing trips are ideal for families, friends, or groups. The activities are safe, exciting, and suitable for all ages.
Is this trip suitable for companies or team-building activities? Absolutely. Our trips promote teamwork, communication, and shared experiences, ideal for companies looking for a unique team-building adventure.
How do I spend the night on the Wadden Sea? The ship drops anchor in the evening, and you'll spend the night in cozy cabins on board. On deck, you can enjoy the sunset, the fresh sea air, and the starry sky.
Do you also offer this trip as a sailing trip?
Yes, we also regularly offer this trip as a sailing trip.
Sustainability on our travels
We attach great importance to sustainable travel.
- Our sailing trips are environmentally conscious to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Wadden Sea.
- When mudflat hiking, we take care not to disturb flora and fauna.
- Waste avoidance and responsible use of resources are standard in all activities.
This way you can experience an unforgettable adventure on the Wadden Sea, without burdening nature – perfect for environmentally conscious groups, families and companies.