UNESCO-Weltnaturerbe Wattenmeer-Besucherzentrum Cuxhaven

About the museum

The visitor center opened in 1989, three years after the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea was declared a national park. Under the name "Nationalparkzentrum" (national park center), it carried out educational work for the protected area off Cuxhaven from the very beginning. After the Wadden Sea was recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, it received its present name in 2011.

In 2015 the institution moved into a new building directly on the beach at Sahlenburg, in the middle of the national park with a view across the mudflats to the island of Neuwerk. Spread over three floors and more than 450 square meters is a permanent exhibition with 14 thematic areas, seawater aquariums, models, interactive stations as well as a library and media library; particular focuses are the geest cliff and the coastal heath of the surrounding area. Several times a year, changing exhibitions with an artistic or specialist theme complement the offering.

Besides the exhibition, the center offers mudflat hikes, nature excursions in salt marsh, forest and heath, research in the bio lab and events such as the annual Migratory Bird Days. Since 2013 it has also trained children as Junior Rangers for the national park. The building is certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All) and lends mudflat wheelchairs so that people with walking disabilities can also experience the mudflats.

Highlights

• Seawater aquariums with animals of the Wadden Sea
• Panoramic windows with a view of the mudflats and the island of Neuwerk
• Themes of the geest cliff and coastal heath
• Mudflat hikes and research in the bio lab
• Free admission; mudflat wheelchairs available to borrow free of charge

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung Weltnaturerbe Wattenmeer – On three floors, 14 thematic areas with aquariums, models and hands-on objects explain the Wadden Sea, the coastal heath and the geest cliff right on the doorstep.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Stadt Cuxhaven

Director

Bernhard Rauhut

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The exhibition and special exhibitions are free. Events such as mudflat hikes have their own prices; reduced for children and young people up to age 16, students, volunteer service participants, holders of the Lower Saxony volunteer card (Ehrenamtskarte) and people with severe disabilities with a degree of disability of 70% or more.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All). Step-free entrance with automatic door, elevator from the first floor to the third floor, wheelchair-accessible restroom, two accessible parking spaces about 30 m from the entrance. Tours for people with walking disabilities by registration, reading aids available. Two mudflat wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge with advance reservation. Videos in sign language on the website. Dogs are not allowed except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Aquariums, models and interactive stations; touchable animals during tours. Junior Ranger group for Cuxhaven children aged 8 to 16 with monthly meetings.

Getting there & parking

On foot or by bike from Cuxhaven, always along the coast; after the end of the beach promenade, about 3.5 km more.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop in the foyer; library and media library in the exhibition.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit