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Film recommendation“Our Seas” – fascinating insights into the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

Antonia von Lamezan

 · 27.06.2026

A moment’s rest on Heligoland: a seal on the beach of the North Sea island.
Photo: iStock / mauribo
Anyone travelling on the North Sea or the Baltic Sea will experience impressive coastal landscapes and the sea in all its many facets. Yet much of what goes on beneath the water’s surface, in the air or on hard-to-reach stretches of coastline remains hidden even from experienced skippers. In the four-part ARD documentary series ‘Erlebnis Erde: Unsere Meere’ (Earth Experience: Our Seas), nature filmmaker Thomas Behrend offers unique insights into the habitats of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The series is available in the ARD media library until 6 July.

The production utilised state-of-the-art camera, drone and underwater technology over a period of two years. This has resulted in footage that shows even familiar areas from a perspective that water sports enthusiasts rarely get to see. The documentary combines stunning images of nature with in-depth information about wildlife, habitats and the changes taking place in the oceans.

Three episodes on the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

“The Unknown North Sea” (Episode 2 of 4)
Among other places, the episode takes viewers to the coasts of Scotland. It features dolphins employing an unusual hunting strategy, skuas and the return of otters to coastal habitats.

‘Natural Wonders of the Baltic Sea’ (Episode 3/4)
The focus is on the Danish island of Anholt in the Kattegat, which is well known to many cruising sailors as a stopover or destination. The programme features the largest seal colony in the Baltic Sea, as well as Gotland grass snakes hunting for fish in the salt water.

“The Unknown Baltic Sea” (Episode 4/4)
The journey takes us all the way to Estonia. Among other things, the programme explores the impact of climate change on grey seals, whose pups are increasingly being born on small islands due to the decline in winter coastal ice.

Note on the media library

The first part of the series (“Natural Wonders of the North Sea”, episode 1/4) is currently unavailable on the ARD media library for licensing reasons. However, the remaining three episodes are self-contained and can be watched independently of one another.

Anyone travelling around the North Sea and the Baltic Sea will recognise one or two of the locations shown. At the same time, you get a sense of what goes on above and below the water’s surface, beyond the familiar perspective. The documentary is well worth watching for its portrayal of the seas as a diverse habitat, its striking imagery and the behaviour of individual species – some of which has been filmed for the very first time. It is showing until 6 July Available on the ARD media library.

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Antonia von Lamezan

Antonia von Lamezan ist gebürtige Hamburgerin und studierte Kultur- sowie Sozialwissenschaftlerin (Lüneburg/Kopenhagen). Obwohl die Seefahrt zur Familiengeschichte gehört, fand sie den eigenen Weg aufs Wasser erst als Erwachsene – dann jedoch mit voller Begeisterung und Konsequenz: Innerhalb eines Jahres absolvierte sie alle für die Langfahrt erforderlichen Scheine, tauschte das geregelte Stadtleben gegen das eigene Boot und segelte zwei Jahre lang auf eigenem Kiel durch Europa. Als Volontärin in der Redaktion verbindet sie nun fachlichen Hintergrund mit ihrer Leidenschaft für das Meer, Boote und das Schreiben.

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