The Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park is the largest of the three parks in the north-east in terms of area; however, around 80 % of its 800 km2 is made up of water areas - on the one hand the shallow, lagoonlike Bodden waters protected by Fischland-Darß-Zingst and the island of Hiddensee.
lagoon-like Bodden waters in the shelter of Fischland-Darß-Zingst and the island of Hiddensee, and the open coastal waters of the Baltic Sea in front of it.
However, the national park zones are criss-crossed by buoyed fairways that can be navigated all year round; on the Bodden you can get very close to nature in this unique way - almost in passing - and can observe the undisturbed wildlife on sandbanks or on the reed-lined shore.
on sandbanks or reed-lined banks. For example, fishing sea eagles in the area of the island of Bock, opposite Barhöft, wild boars on the Sundische Wiese or - in autumn - tens of thousands of resting cranes on the Große Kirr south of the seaside resort of Zingst.
The shore excursions are just as rewarding and varied: from Prerow, whose small marina is located at the very northern end of the Prerow Stream, you can explore the Darßer Ort - one of the three core zones of the national park - on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage. The small exhibition of the "Natureum" (with an excursion café)
café), a branch of the German Maritime Museum in Stralsund, is housed in the historic Darßer Ort lighthouse, which can also be climbed. In the dunes, you can marvel at "wind escapers", pine trees that have been forced into grotesque shapes by the wind.
Other harbours with interesting points are Wieck on the Darß with the national park and guest centre "Darßer Arche", the Baltic seaside resort of Zingst, with its pier and fine quartz beach, perfect for a "day of relaxation", the small harbour of Barhöft, from whose observation tower (a former border security tower from the GDR era) the view extends over the island of Bock with its offshore sand flats and the Schaproder Bodden to Rügen and Hiddensee.
On Hiddensee - which is one of the sunniest regions in Germany - the marina in Vitte-Lange Ort offers the best conditions for hikes to the Dornbusch, the high, beautiful northern tip of the island with its lighthouse, or for excursions to the sandy south of the island, to the narrow headland of Gellen.
Stralsund is not directly adjacent to the national park, but still within striking distance.
It is only a few minutes' walk from the Citymarina to the splendidly restored, historic old town, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The "Ozeaneum", whose aquariums and exhibitions take visitors on an underwater journey through the northern seas, is located right next to the harbour. Particularly impressive are the "Giants of the Seas" - a series of life-size whale replicas, including a 26-metre-long model of a blue whale.
The Bodden is also becoming increasingly popular as a charter area. Salt air, sand and wind create a real Baltic Sea atmosphere, but at the same time the waters are well protected. A recreational boating licence is required to sail here.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Western Pomerania Lagoon National Park:Western Pomerania National Park Authority: Im Forst 5, 18375 Born/Darß, Tel. 038234-50 20. Hiddensee National Park Centre: Tel. 038300-680 41, www.nationalpark-vorpommersche-boddenlandschaft.de
"Ozeaneum":Opening hours all year round daily 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., closed on 24 Dec., admission €18 (adults), €11 (children), children up to 3 years free. Free admission, Hafenstraße 11, 18439 Stralsund, Tel. 03831-265 06 10, www.ozeaneum.de
"Natureum":Opening hours from May - October daily 10 am - 6 pm, November - April Wed. - Sun. 11 am - 4 pm, admission 4 € (adults), 3 € (children), children up to 3 years free. Admission free, Darßer Ort 1 - 3, 18375 Born/Darß, Tel. 038233-304, www.meeresmuseum.de/natureum.
Sports boat harbours: Prerow:Tel. 038233-69 7 19,Wieck: Tel. 0171-624 09 73, Zingst: Tel. 038232-800 08 (all www.fischland-darss-zingst.de ); Barhöft: Tel. 038323-531, www.hafen-barhoeft.de Vitte-Lange Ort: Tel. 038300-501 07, www.hiddensee.de Stralsund: Citymarina, Tel. 03831-44 49 78, www.rundtoern-marinas.de
Boat charter:
