The Nordsee – a feeling of wide panoramas, the open sea, unending sand. The smell of salt in the air, a fresh breeze, the surf breaking. With seven islands and a coastline between the Ems, Weser and Elbe, the Nordsee offers you unlimited opportunities for holiday fun. Let yourself be inspired by one of the most unspoilt regions in Germany.

The holiday paradise of the East Frisian Islands lie like a string of pearls just off the coast. Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge defy the constant tides and the stiff North Sea breeze. They are driven steadily eastwards by the wind and the waves. Between the islands and the coast stretches a unique habitat – the Wadden Sea national park is home to more than just lugworms and seals. The wadden is one of the most valuable and bio-diverse habitats in the world, best explored bare-foot on a walk across the tidal flats.

On the mainland lie the impressive sea defences, almost 1000 kilometres in length – without the dikes, large parts of Niedersachsen simply wouldn’t exist, as the state’s lowest point is around 2.3 m below sea level. The battle for land against the power of the sea is fought with great steadfastness. Behind the dikes, you will find wide natural landscapes and East Frisian friendliness – perfect for a friendly cup of tea after a bicycle or canoe tour.

Niedersachsen Wadden Sea National Park

In the Wadden Sea, the water ebbs and flows twice a day, in a six hour cycle. Giving rise, between Den Helder in the Netherlands and Esbjerg in Denmark, to a 10,000 square kilometre large wetland, the like of which is found nowhere else in the world. In order to protect this natural landscape on Niedersachsen's North Sea coast, the area was made a conservation area in 1986. The 288,000 hectare Niedersachsen Wadden Sea national park covers the tidal flats between the rivers Ems and Elbe, including the East Frisian islands lying just off the coast. Numerous animal and plant species live in the Wadden Sea national park. These include seals, which are easily observed on their sand banks, but also smaller creatures, such as the famous lugworm.

Hiking in the Wadden Sea – Bare Foot, Of Course

Hiking on the bottom of the mud flat sea is an unforgettable experience! Sometimes you walk on firm sand; sometimes you walk on unpredictable mud. You better walk bare foot in the mud. Your feet get massaged right away. The tour guide tells you about tide ways and tides, worms and crayfishes on the way. Never go out in the mud without a guide! That is way too dangerous. All of a sudden you might loose orientation, especially if you get suddenly surrounded by thick sea fog. Tour guides are available in almost every costal town.

• More about the Wadden Sea National Park
• UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea

The East Frisian Islands

Just a few kilometres from the Southern North Sea, the seven East Frisian Islands line up inside the Niedersachsen Wadden Sea National Park like pearls on a string. Many of the idyllic places along the coast between Ems and Elbe, between Emden and Otterndorf are the starting points for a voyage to the "Seven Islands", with each one of them having their very own charm.

Borkum, the largest of the East-Frisian Islands, attracts visitors with three lighthouses, a 26 km long sandy beach and the "Gezeitenland" wellness and leisure pool centre . There is a bit of a quieter atmosphere on the Juist Island - the natives call it Töwerland (magic land) - which at its narrowest point is only 500 m wide. Already in 1797, Norderney became the first German North Sea spa town. Today, it can boast the "bade:haus“, the largest thalasso centre in Germany where you can feel the healthiness from the sea. Baltrum is the smallest of the East Frisian Islands. The sleeping beauty of the North Sea, however, is not inferior to her sisters when it comes to Sea, beaches and holiday pleasures. On Langeoog, you can enjoy 1500 hours of sunshine in a year; on the greenest of the Islands, Spiekeroog, you discover the Island woods and on Wangerooge, you will begin your holidays with a ride on the Island train from the harbour to the village as Wangerooge is, like most of the East Frisian Islands, car-free.

The Maritime Mile in Wilhelmshaven

Wilhelmshaven is the biggest naval base and only deep water harbour in Germany. The focus of tourism, a relatively recent development, in the town is Wilhelmshaven's South Beach, which also happens to be the only South facing beach on the German North Sea coast. Museum institutions such as the sea water aquarium, the Wattenmeerhaus national park centre, the German maritime museum and the whale.worlds permanent exhibition in the Coastal Museum are popular attractions along South Beach.

• More about Wilhelmshaven

Land of the Horse: Duhner Mud-Flat Races

Water splashes, earth flies through the air - the Duhner sandbank races on the bed of the Nordsee, exposed at low water, are unique in the world. It's simply a wonderful site, to watch the horses in late summer, galloping at full pelt across the mud flats. Experience the spray and the daring manoeuvres of the jockeys at the trotting and galloping races of the Nordsee spa of Cuxhaven. The tradition of racing horses on the sea bed stretches back over 100 years. Bet on your favourites - you don't need much money to bet on a win, each-way or an accumulator. Whilst the participants are fighting for prizes and places, the spectators too will be in the running as winners or losers in the horse pools competition.

• More about Duhner Mud-Flat Races

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