Hooge Platen Westerschelde

Seal at the Hooge Platen in the Westerschelde

Seal at the Hooge Platen in the Westerschelde

Hoofdplaat

Spotting birds and seals on De Bol and Hooge Platen in Zeeland

Hoofdplaat - Twice a day there is low tide in the estuary of the Westerschelde. Then an enormous area of 1800 ha of mud flats and sandbanks emerges: the Hooge Platen, not far from Breskens in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Thousands of birds settle down to look for fish, shellfish and worms left behind. At high tide, the Hooge Platen disappear again - only the island of De Bol protrudes just above the waves at an average high tide. From two hours before low tide you also have a good chance of seeing seals from the dike.

Seals near Hooge Platen Breskens

A group of about 30 seals lives around the Hooge Platen and the Bol nature reserve in the Western Scheldt. This concerns both gray and harbor seals. From the mainland, on the dike near the town of Number One, not far from Breskens, in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, you have a good chance of seeing the seals when it is low tide.

Bird spotting Westerschelde

The Western Scheldt is rich in food for birds. When the tide comes in and the Hooge Platen dry up, the shellfish and the fish left behind are there for the birds to pick up. The island of De Bol remains dry during normal high tides - it is therefore an ideal nesting area for the birds.

Hooge Platen Westerschelde photo gallery


What do visitors say about Hooge Platen Westerschelde?

Hoofdplaat trips in the area

    Adress and visitor information

    Hooge Platen Westerschelde

    Address: Magereind
    Postal code and City: 4513  Hoofdplaat
    Region: Zeeuws Vlaanderen
    Province/Region: Zeeland

    Visit: An average visits takes approx. 2 hours.
    De Hooge Platen and De Bol are only accessible by boat. You can also watch birds and seals from the mainland. From the seawall at the towns of Number Een and Hoofdplaat in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, you have a beautiful view of the Hooge Platen and the Bol. At the village of Number One, usually near Buoy VH8, you can often see the group of seals on the shelf from 2 hours before low tide.
    The area is closed during the breeding season.

    Let op: The locations on the map are indicational. It is not always the entrance, parking lot or best route. The map shows up to 8 locations in the area. Want to see all locations? Check our Hotspot map or use the Search option on this website.


    08:36

    16:34

    Waxing crescent

    Where to stay Hoofdplaat?


    Copyright © Hotspot Holland 2003 - 2024
    We are HotspotHolland, the Netherlands Travel Guide. Sightseeing, tours, trips and original getaways

    NL EN DE

    Dutch Cookies

    This site uses cookies for analytics, personalized content and ads. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to this use.