Nature museum with a seal sanctuary and sea aquarium in the dunes near De Koog on Texel – all about the Wadden Sea, the North Sea and the island's nature.
Special exhibition
Hands-on exhibition about the island's future: using a decision tool and peep boxes, visitors play out how climate change and landscape planning could transform Texel over the next 50 years. Since 2025, no end date announced.
Ecomare's roots go back to 1929, when Texel native H. J. Kraai set up a small natural history museum on the island, based on a core collection of some 120 mounted birds. The museum was partly destroyed during World War II and in 1947 moved into a former Wehrmacht barracks in the De Dennen forest.
From 1952, curator Gerrit de Haan and his wife Annie did pioneering work: they were the first in Europe to take in weakened and orphaned seals and nurse them back to health – at a time when seals were still being hunted and veterinary knowledge about the animals barely existed. The sanctuary also drew attention to the poor state of the Wadden Sea.
In 1975 the museum moved to its current location in the dunes near De Koog, initially as a nature experience center; after de Haan's death in 1986, it was named Ecomare. An underground sea aquarium was added in 1994. Today Ecomare belongs to the Stichting Texels Museum, which also runs Museum Kaap Skil, the lighthouse and the Oudheidkamer.
The center combines a museum, animal care and nature education: every year around 100 young or sick seals are cared for and released back into the wild, and there is also a bird rescue center, exhibitions on the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site and a whale hall with skeletons of stranded animals. Under the program "Samen zorgen voor de zee", the site is being renewed step by step; a museum studio for educational activities was completed in early 2026.
| Adults | €17 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €14Students with a student ID |
| Children & teens | €11.50free up to age 3 · Price for ages 4 to 12; from age 13 the adult price applies. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Visitors who cannot get around the museum on their own may bring a companion free of charge with a valid companion card or a doctor's certificate. |
| Students & apprentices | €14With a student ID. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –15% discount on admission for groups of 15 or more, applied at the ticket desk without advance registration. School groups €8.50 per student and per accompanying adult (reservation required). |
| Annual pass (ages 4–12) | €34Valid for 12 months from purchase |
| Annual pass (ages 13 and up) | €51Valid for 12 months from purchase |
| School groups, per person | €8.50Students and accompanying adults, by reservation only |
2026 prices. Tickets online or at the ticket desk. The Museumkaart is not valid at Ecomare; island residents with the Texelse museumpas are admitted free.
According to the museum, fully wheelchair-accessible; wheelchairs and strollers can be borrowed. A free "Prikkelmand" (sensory kit) with ear defenders, sunglasses and other aids for visitors sensitive to stimuli is available at the ticket desk. Assistance dogs allowed, other dogs not.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
Exhibitions with games and films for all ages, a playground with water play by the terrace, a Kids Corner in the café and a children's trail with play stations in the Duinpark. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult; strollers available to borrow.
From the ferry (TESO, Den Helder–Texel crossing 20 minutes), take bus line 28 via Den Burg and De Koog to Ecomare. On Texel, the Texelhopper on-demand bus supplements the regular service.
Free parking
Dedicated parking lot, free according to the "Praktische informatie" page (another page says the Texel parking vignette is required for this lot as well). If it is full, overflow parking is available at the beach with the Texel vignette.
By car from the ferry, follow the signs to "De Koog" as far as Seitenweg 13 (Californiëweg), then turn left. By bike via the Pontweg or through the forest via Den Hoorn; Ecomare is part of the cycling junction network, and bikes can be rented at the ferry terminal.
Get directionsMuseum café with sandwiches, cakes, snacks and ice cream, a terrace overlooking the seal pools and a Kids Corner. Museum shop with books, stuffed animals and souvenirs. Wagons and scooters can be left in the cloakroom. Eating is not allowed inside the museum itself.
Meetings in the restaurant's conservatory (Serre) overlooking the dunes, including museum access; group lunch or coffee service for up to 40 people (about 20 in May, June and September; not in July and August). Book through the Boekingskantoor (booking office).
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (NL) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Dutch-language audio tour via QR code on your own smartphone, plus a walking app (izi.travel) for the Duinpark. Animal keepers present the permanently resident seals daily at 11:00 and 15:30. In the high season there are occasional free excursions in the Duinpark; paid nature excursions (mudflats, beach, De Slufter) can be booked separately. Free introduction for schools by registration. |
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