Boat tours to the seal rookeries are offered from the "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier). With a little luck, you might see seals swimming in the North Sea or basking in the sun on a sandbank. You’ll also surely spot a fishing boat or two as they head out to sea. A unique experience during your North Sea vacation.
"Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier): A Place to Visit
This is where the vacation begins
The "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier) isn’t just Germany’s largest coastal protection structure—it’s also the perfect place to kick off your North Sea vacation. Watch the ships go by, breathe in the North Sea air, and enjoy a delicious fish sandwich or a hearty serving of fries from the snack bar at the barrier—your vacation really couldn’t get off to a better start! As soon as you’ve passed through the tunnel, you’ll find yourself on the Eiderstedt Peninsula. But even aside from that, the barrier—located right next to the unique Katinger Watt—is a popular destination for walkers and cyclists. So, when are you going to stop by?
© TZ-SPO
© TZ-SPO
© TZ-SPO
© TZ-SPO
© TZ-SPO
Boat Tour to the Seal Colonies
Guided Tours of the "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier)
You won't want to miss this!
Are you interested in the "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier) and its important role in coastal protection, and would you like to take a guided tour of the flood barrier? Herbert Wolff is a tour guide in Eiderstedt and offers guided tours of the "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier) to interested visitors upon request. He looks forward to hearing from you: wolff.46@web.de
© Oliver Franke
Impressive & gigantic
Construction of the floodgate
The imposing "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier) is one of the largest coastal protection structures in Europe. It was planned and built following the devastating storm surge of 1962, during which more than 120 dikes along the North Sea coast broke. Enormous masses of water surged into the Eider River—even towns far inland were flooded. The “General Plan for Coastal Protection” was adopted. As a result, the dyke line exposed to the turbulent North Sea waves was shortened from 60 kilometers to five kilometers. Ground was broken on March 29, 1967, and the barrier was inaugurated as early as March 20, 1973.
Since then, five massive double-lift gates, each 40 meters wide, have regulated the inflow and outflow and controlled the desanding of the Eider. Twice a day, with the tides, 30 to 40 million cubic meters of North Sea and Eider water flow back and forth here. Inside the barrage, a 236-meter-long tunnel for vehicular traffic connects Dithmarschen with the Eiderstedt Peninsula. This monumental engineering feat of the 20th century can be viewed from the pedestrian walkway above.
Podcast episode on storm surges and "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier)
Give it a listen!
In a conversation with tour guide Herbert Wolff on an episode of our podcast "Deichmomente", you’ll learn a lot of fascinating facts about the North Sea’s natural power, as well as about the dikes and the impressive "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier) that protects the coast. Enjoy listening!
© Oliver Franke
A Unique Natural Landscape
The Katinger Watt
The construction of the "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier) has created the unique Katinger Watt on the Eiderstedt Peninsula, in the immediate vicinity of the port city of Tönning. Here you’ll find vast green spaces and forests, beautiful walking and biking trails, and fantastic bird-watching huts and observation towers that allow you to consciously experience and discover nature.
Katinger Watt
Brochures & Flyers
Vacation Information for Home
Would you like to learn more about SPO and Eiderstedt before your vacation?
