Havets Hemmeligheder
Museum center in the former Kystcentret Thyborøn with museums on shipwrecks, explosives, diving and whaling, as well as maritime art.
About the museum
The building on Kystcentervej was created as the Kystcentret: the Fonden for Kystcenter Thyborøn, founded in 1999, opened an exhibition and experience center here in 2000. In 2021 the building was sold to the founders of the neighboring Sea War Museum Jutland, who converted it into a maritime history center.
On April 10, 2025, the mayor of Lemvig Municipality opened the new museum under the name Havets Hemmeligheder, and it has been open to visitors since April 11. It is run by an independent institution without state subsidies; main sponsor and donor is the company JD-Contractor of Gert Normann Andersen, who is also behind the Sea War Museum and the memorial park for the Battle of Jutland.
Under one roof the center brings together several small museums: a museum of shipwrecks from the Viking Age to the present, a museum of explosives with defused mines, shells and bombs, Denmark's first diving museum and a small exhibition on whaling. In addition there are ship models, figureheads and a painting collection on strandings and shipwrecks. On the upper floor there is a maritime research library with tens of thousands of volumes, which can be used by arrangement.
Highlights
- Forlismuseum (shipwreck museum) on major shipwrecks such as Estonia, Titanic and Hans Hedtoft
- Eksplosionsmuseum (explosives museum) with defused mines, shells and a V1
- Dykkermuseum (diving museum) with a diving bell of the type used in the Vasa salvage
- Wreck of the Knarr replica "Imme Aros" in front of the museum
- Café on the upper floor with a view
Permanent exhibitions
- Forlismuseum – Shipwrecks from the Viking Age to the present – from the Estonia and the Titanic to refugee ships of the Baltic Sea in 1945 and sunken submarines – and how wrecks decay or are preserved underwater.
- Eksplosionsmuseum – Defused hand mines and sea mines, shells, rockets and a V1, as well as accounts of mine accidents on the Jutland west coast.
- Dykkermuseum – Denmark's first diving museum on the history of diving, including a diving bell like the one used in the salvage of the Vasa.
- Founded
- 2025
- Operated by
- Selbstständige Institution (gegründet von JD-Contractor / Gert Normann Andersen)
- Director
- Gert Normann Andersen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 160 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | DKK 145Seniors aged 67 and over and students (with student ID) |
| Children & teens | DKK 80free up to age 7 · Children up to 7 free, ages 8–17: DKK 80. |
| Seniors | DKK 145From age 67 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · With a companion card, one companion is free. |
| Students & apprentices | DKK 145With student ID |
| Groups | DKK 140 per personGroup admission with guided tour: adults DKK 140, seniors/students DKK 125, ages 8–17: DKK 70, plus DKK 600 per guided tour (max. 25 people per guide). Registration at least one week in advance. |
| Discount ticket for visiting both museums on the same day | DKK 135Seniors/students DKK 120, ages 8–17: DKK 55. |
| Admission Sea War Museum Jutland (neighboring museum) | DKK 100Seniors/students DKK 85, ages 8–17: DKK 50; with discount ticket DKK 75. |
Anyone who also visits the Sea War Museum Jutland on the same day receives a discount on the second ticket. Tickets are valid for one day. Annual passes available at the cash desk or by email/phone.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Wide doors and level floors; the two-story building has an elevator. Wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed from the staff, accessible restrooms on request. Wheelchair users and guests with walking difficulties may park at the ramp at the entrance. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
|---|
Children up to 7 have free admission. The museum also shows the consequences of war and disasters clearly (such as victims of mine accidents and atomic bombs) and recommends that children come with adults who can explain what they see.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking lot in front of the museums; wheelchair users and guests with walking difficulties may park at the ramp at the entrance.
Directly next to the Sea War Museum Jutland (Kystcentervej 11); the memorial park for the Battle of Jutland is in the dunes behind the museums.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Museum café on the upper floor with a view (reached by elevator), coffee and cake self-service during opening hours; food on order for groups. Museum shop. In front of the building there is a dog hook with water.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group tours (45 minutes to 1 hour) after registration at booking@seawarmuseum.dk; for group visits the museum recommends allowing at least 2 hours. The research library is not open to the public but can be used by arrangement. The memorial park for the Battle of Jutland is a five-minute walk away in the dunes and is freely accessible at any time. |
