Head out and explore Oosterschelde National Park

In the heart of the Zeeland Delta lies a landscape full of contrasts: Oosterschelde National Park. Here, the tides set the rhythm of life, and nature reveals itself in all its dynamics. This unique area is one of the most dynamic and surprising natural landscapes in the Netherlands. Whether you’re looking for peace, adventure, or a close encounter with rare wildlife, the Eastern Scheldt has it all. Are you ready to explore this unique landscape?

The largest National Park in the Netherlands

You’re standing on a dike, gazing out over the water. The wind rustles through the grass, birds circle above the surface, and before your eyes nature reveals its secrets. At low tide, mudflats and sandbanks emerge – a vibrant world of crabs, shellfish, and foraging birds. At high tide, the water fills with fish and underwater life retreats into the depths.

What you see is an expansive waterscape of over 37,000 hectares – the largest National Park in the Netherlands. Once, this was the mouth of the River Scheldt, where fresh and salt water mingled. But since the construction of the Delta Works, the natural flow of fresh water has greatly diminished, leaving the waters of the Eastern Scheldt fully saline. Strictly speaking, we can no longer call it an estuary. Yet it remains an extraordinarily dynamic and ecologically valuable area.

The dynamics of ebb and flow

You can feel the power of nature here with every change of the tide. At low water, tidal flats emerge and birds such as oystercatchers and avocets forage among the shells in the mud. Within just a few hours, everything can change. Where you’ve just seen life above or on the water, all you see now is water. Schools of herring and sea bass move through the waters, while divers explore the colorful underwater world.

Do you want to experience this dynamic for yourself? Join an excursion across the exposed tidal flats or take a walk through the dunes of Neeltje Jans.

Zeehonden op de getijdeplaten - Oosterschelde (Sky Pictures)

The inhabitants of the Eastern Scheldt

You’re sitting on a boat, gazing across the water. Suddenly, a smooth grey head breaks through the surface. A seal! Oosterschelde National Park is a haven for seals and porpoises. Especially around sandbanks such as the "Roggenplaat" or the "Platen van Ossenisse", chances are high you’ll see seals basking in the sun. With a bit of luck, you might also spot a porpoise: this small whale species hunts in the currents and occasionally lifts its dorsal fin above the water.

Join a special boat excursion and let your guide take you into the fascinating world of these remarkable inhabitants.

A paradise for bird lovers

The Eastern Scheldt is one of the richest bird areas in the Netherlands. Tens of thousands of birds gather here to rest, breed, or search for food. In autumn and winter, thousands of waders and ducks flock to the exposed mudflats. In spring, it’s the avocets, spoonbills, and common terns who steal the show.

With binoculars and a bird guide in hand, you can observe the birds from viewpoints such as the Oesterdam or the Plompe Tower. In nature reserves like the Yerseke Moer and the Drowned Land of Zuid-Beveland, you can see how the Eastern Scheldt merges into a landscape of creeks, salt marshes, and saline grasslands, which is why these are perfect places for birdwatching.

The hidden underwater world

Dive beneath the waves and a whole new world opens up before you. Every year, thousands of divers explore the most beautiful diving area in the Netherlands. Anemones sway gently with the current, brightly colored nudibranchs crawl along the rocks, and young seahorses hide among the mussel beds. In spring, cuttlefish and squid migrate to the Eastern Scheldt to lay their eggs. Divers from all over the world come here to witness this magical spectacle.

Not a diver? No problem! Even from the shore, you can discover the richness of underwater life. For example, in tidal pools or specially collected aquariums.

Oesterputten Yerseke (Beeldbank Laat Zeeland Zien, Eddy Westveer)

The taste of the Eastern Scheldt

After a day full of discoveries, there’s nothing better than tasting what the Eastern Scheldt has to offer. Oysters with a salty, refined flavor, mussels fresh from the sea, and the unique Eastern Scheldt lobster, found only here. In the fishing village of Yerseke, you can take a guided tour along the oyster pits and mussel farms, or enjoy a freshly prepared meal with a view of the harbor.

Discover the magic of the Eastern Scheldt for yourself

Oosterschelde National Park is a place you don’t just see; you feel and experience it. Let yourself be carried away by the dynamics of nature and discover why this landscape is such a special place within the Schelde Delta Geopark.