Seal spotting on Texel: a round-up of all the ways to do it

Samengevat: There are three ways to spot seals on Texel. In the seal rescue centre run by Ecomare At De Koog, you can see them up close during the daily feeding times at 11.00 and 15.30. On a zeehondenboottocht vanuit Oudeschild you’ll sail to the De Razende Bol sandbank, where hundreds of seals are basking in the sun. And with a bit of luck, you’ll spot them too in the wild, from the beach,  particularly around the De Cocksdorp lighthouse and along the Wadden Sea coast. In this article, as a local bike hire company, we’ve listed all the options, including practical tips on how to reach all the spots by bike.

Which seals live around Texel?

There are two species of seal living in the Wadden Sea around Texel:

• De gewone zeehond (Phoca vitulina): smaller, with a rounder face and dark patches. Usually stays closer to the coast.
• De grijze zeehond (Halichoerus grypus): considerably larger (up to 300 kg!), with a longer, more pointed snout. The largest predators in the Netherlands.

Both species are regularly seen on the sandbanks of the Wadden Sea, which are exposed at low tide. The Razende Bol (also known as Noorderhaaks) — an uninhabited sandbank south of Texel — is the prime spot where you can often spot dozens or even hundreds of seals at once.

The 3 ways to spot seals on Texel

1. Ecomare in De Koog: seals up close

Adres: Ruijslaan 92, De Koog Opening hours: dagelijks 9.30-17.00 uur Voertijden zeehonden: 11.00 en 15.30 uur Leeftijd: alle leeftijden Bij slecht weer: ideaal, veel indoor

Ecomare is the place to see seals up close and learn all about them. The nature museum combines a zeehondenopvang featuring an aquarium, a bird sanctuary and a dune park. At Ecomare, sick, injured and orphaned seals are taken in, cared for and, where possible, released back into the sea.

Do come along around voertijden om 11.00 en 15.30 uur,  that’s when the seals are at their most active. Meanwhile, the keepers talk about the animals and answer questions. An absolute highlight for children, and just as fascinating for adults.

2. Zeehondenboottocht vanuit Oudeschild

Vertrekhaven: vissershaven Oudeschild Duur: 1 to 2 hours, depending on the provider Seizoen: daily from March to November, occasionally in winter Zeehondengarantie: many providers offer a 100 per cent guarantee

Would you like to see seals in the wild, in their natural habitat? Then a boat trip from Oudeschild is highly recommended. The trip takes you to the Razende Bol and other sandbanks in the Wadden Sea, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the boat, you can see seals basking in the sun, and sometimes curious ones come swimming around the boat.

There are various providers at Oudeschild, each with its own character:

• De Anna (bootvarentexel.nl) — small groups, heated indoor space, skipper Frido comes from a genuine fishing family
• De Vrijheid (zeehondenkijkentexel.nl) — maximaal 12 personen, 1,5 uur, met 100% zeehondengarantie
• Het Sop (zeehondentexel.nl) — fast speedboat trips at 11.00, 12.30, 14.00 and 15.30
• Bruuzer Texel (bruuzertexel.nl) — speedboat trips lasting about an hour, past Razende Bol and Marinehaven Den Helder
• TX44 (tx44.nl) — 2 hours, combining seal spotting with a boat trip through the Naval Harbour

Book in advance, especially during the high season. Most tours depart directly from the quay in the fishing harbour at Oudeschild.

3. Spotting seals in the wild from the beach

Beste plekken: beach at the De Cocksdorp Lighthouse, De Slufter, Paal 33 Wanneer: at low tide, early in the morning or in the evening Wat mee: verrekijker Kosten: gratis

With a bit of luck, keen nature lovers may spot seals from the beach. The northern tip of Texel around the Eierland ’s Lighthouse and Marker 33  is a top spot, especially at low tide when the sandbanks are exposed. Also at De Slufter You can sometimes spot seals in the distance. Bring a pair of binoculars and wear sturdy shoes.

Belangrijke tip: Always keep a safe distance. Seals are wild animals and get easily disturbed. If you come across a young seal on its own, always call ‘ Ecomare ’ (0222-317741); sometimes a young seal belongs to a mother who has just stepped away, but animals that have genuinely been abandoned need help.

Seal-spotting by bike: our favourite route

The great thing about Texel is that you can find all the seal-watching hotspots per fiets can reach. One of our favourite day trips:

Ochtend: fiets naar Ecomare in De Koog before the 11.00 am tour. Spend an hour exploring the aquarium and the dune park.

Middag: cycle for about 45 minutes through the Duinen van Texel National Park to Oudeschild for a boat trip at 2.00 pm or 3.30 pm.

Einde middag: Cycle back along the lovely polder route or along the Wadden Sea coast. In Oudeschild, you can pop in to the Speelwrak and the Museum Kaap Skil.

For those who want to stay active all day: add an extra day and cycle to the Lighthouse at De Cocksdorp to spot seals from the beach. It’s about a 40-minute cycle from De Koog through the most impressive dune area at Texel.

You can park your bike for free at the beach access points, as well as at Ecomare and the harbour at Oudeschild. From our five depots at Texel, you can reach any seal hotspot within 5–15 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about seal spotting at Texel

Where’s the best place to spot seals on Texel?

For guaranteed results: Ecomare in De Koog en een zeehondenboottocht vanuit Oudeschild. In the wild, from the beach, the northern tip ( De Cocksdorp Lighthouse) and De Slufter are the best spots. Boat trips often offer a 100 per cent seal guarantee.

When is the best time to spot seals at Texel?

Seals can be seen all year round at Texel. Best time of year: March to November when the boat trips run daily. At Ecomare, the sailing times are at 11.00 en 15.30 uur the most spectacular moments. On sandbanks, you’ll mainly see seals at laagwater, when the sandbanks are exposed.

How long does a seal-watching tour last on Texel?

Most boat trips last between 1 en 2 uur. Fast speedboat trips (such as those operated by Bruuzer) last around an hour, classic sightseeing cruises (such as the Anna and De Vrijheid) last 1.5 hours, and longer combined tours (such as the TX44) last 2 hours, including a visit to the Naval Harbour at Den Helder.

Is a seal-watching trip on Texel suitable for children?

Yes, and it’s an absolute hit with families. Most boat trips are suitable for children aged 4 and over. For younger children, the classic sightseeing cruises on the Anna or De Vrijheid are more comfortable (heated interior, slower speed). For teenagers, the speedboat trips on the Het Sop or Bruuzer are particularly thrilling.

How much does a seal-watching trip cost on Texel?

Prices vary depending on the provider, but expect to pay ongeveer €20-€30 per volwassene and €10–€15 for children. Book in advance via the organiser’s website; tours sell out quickly, especially during the high season.

Do you always see seals on a boat trip?

Most providers use a 100% zeehondengarantie: if, by any chance, you don’t see any seals, you can come along again for free. In practice, the chances of spotting them are virtually 100 per cent, as there are dozens to hundreds of seals at the Razende Bol every day.

Are you allowed to sail out to the sandbanks yourself to watch the seals?

No. The Wadden Sea is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, and sailing out to the sandbanks without experience is dangerous (you could run aground!) and disturbs the seals. Always book a trip with a local skipper who knows the rules.

Wat kost Ecomare?

Admission to ‘ Ecomare ’ begins at around €19.50 for adults and €13 for children (aged 4–14). Children under 4 go free. For current prices, please visit ecomare.nl. Ecomare can be used in conjunction with the Museum Card.

Are seals dangerous?

Seals are wild predators with strong teeth. They are not aggressive towards people, but they can bite if they feel threatened. Always keep a minimum distance of 30 meter afstand in the wild, and never touch young seals. If in doubt, call ‘ Ecomare ’ (0222-317741).

Our tip: make a day of it on your bike

Wij bij Fietsen op Texel We’ve been hiring out bikes for years to guests going on seal-spotting safaris. Our tip: combine a visit to Ecomare with a boat trip and a cycle ride along the coast. That way, you’ll see seals from three different perspectives: at the sanctuary, in the wild from the sea, and possibly from the beach.

Met 25 depots spread across the island You can hop on your bike in no time, wherever you are. Ask us for the free cycling map showing all the sights and beach access points – that way, you’ll never go wrong.

Book your bike here straight away and make your ‘Seal Day’ at Texel an unforgettable experience. 🌊🦭

For the most up-to-date sailing times and prices, always check the relevant operator’s website. In an emergency involving wild seals, please call the Ecomare: 0222-317741.