Ecomare
A natural history museum and seal rescue centre on the Wadden Sea and North Sea, where you can see seals and watch harbour porpoises being fed. It is Texel’s most popular attraction.
Ecomare lies on the edge of the dune woodland south of De Koog. It combines a natural history museum, an aquarium and a rescue centre for seals and birds. Indoor exhibits cover the Wadden Sea intertidal zone, dune formation and North Sea fish. Outdoor pools hold harbour seals, grey seals and rescued harbour porpoises, which are fed at set times each day with talks given (mainly in Dutch). Injured seal pups and those that have lost their mothers are rehabilitated here before being released back into the sea. Adult tickets cost about 20 euros, and it is advisable to book a time slot online. From Den Burg, it takes about 15 minutes by bus or bike, and the trailhead for the Dunes of Texel National Park walking paths is right next door.
Opening hours
Daily 09:00–17:00 (holidays per official website)