The Oosterschelde National Park has several unique aspects. One of them is having the best places in all of Europe for spotting the harbor porpoise. Want to go out and catch a glimpse of these beautiful marine mammals? Make sure you have a dose of patience and a keen eye, because these smallest cetaceans often only pop up above water very briefly. But if you manage to spot them, your patience will be more than rewarded. The sight of such a triangular fin in the still Oosterschelde water (as you spot the harbor porpoise most easily when the wind and water are calm) remains a particularly beautiful experience. Want to increase your chances of experiencing this even more? Then join a real nature boat trip.
On the Water with Nature Cruises
Sometimes with large, sometimes with small, then again with fast or very old boats, almost all year round, various nature cruises are organized on the Oosterschelde to spot, among other things, the porpoise. Whether you choose a trip by sailing boat or barge, there is always an enthusiastic nature guide on board who loves to tell you about all the life and growth in and around the edges of the Oosterschelde waters.
As thick as the hide of a sea pig
The porpoise is the smallest and most common cetacean in the North Sea. A stable population of about 60 animals lives in the Oosterschelde.
The name porpoise is actually not so obvious, as they are not brown at all. And it's not a fish either. In the past, everything that lived in the sea and had a grayish color was called brown. Additionally, porpoise calves drink mother's milk just like humans do, so they are (marine) mammals. A long time ago, the porpoise even had an even stranger name, namely that of pig fish or sea pig. They owed this name to their thick layer of fat and the grunting sounds they produce. At that time, porpoises were often hunted for their fat and meat, also in the Netherlands. This is reflected in the common surname Varkenvisser (Pig Fisher).
A Shared Delicacy
Harbor porpoises are big fans of anchovies. And they are not the only ones... Is this little fish also a delicacy for you and are you eager for another sea adventure? In May and June, you can step back on board for a trip to the weir fishing. A unique chance to experience the centuries-old fishing method for the famous Bergen anchovies up close. The fishermen use a very old technique where the fish are driven during low tide into shallow sea arms or river mouths. That's a triple delight: enjoying a beautiful old craft, the stunning surrounding nature, and the taste of fresh anchovies.
Start your adventure on the mother ship 'De Marjoes', which departs from the harbor at the Bergse Diepsluis in Tholen.
Listening to the land from the dike
At the Oosterschelde, you can find the only places in the Netherlands where you can see porpoises from the mainland. They are even the best spots in Europe. For the best view, put on your hiking boots and climb the dike in Burghsluis, Zierikzee, Wemeldinge, Colijnsplaat, Wissenkerke, near the Plompe Tower or the Goese Sas.
Let your ears do the work
To navigate underwater and easily catch fish, porpoises use sonar. They emit clicking sounds, the echoes of which guide them to food or other obstacles. Unfortunately, humans cannot perceive these porpoise clicks, but at the end of the pier in Zierikzee, there is an information pole where you can hear these sounds. A hydrophone picks up the sounds in the sea and transmits them to the pole. So if you want to experience what it's like to be a porpoise just a bit more, be sure to visit this innovative pole on Schouwen-Duiveland.