The sanctuary treats approximately 100 to 200 orphaned or injured seals annually.
Ecomare was founded in 1952 by Gerrit de Haan, originally starting as a small museum collection.
The facility is powered partly by sustainable energy sources, including heat pumps and solar panels.
Some permanent seal residents are kept at Ecomare because they are non-releasable due to permanent injuries or habituation.
The museum archives contain extensive biological collections documenting the flora and fauna of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ecomare serves as the Wadden Sea and North Sea visitor center located in the dunes of Texel, Netherlands. It functions as a sanctuary that rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured seals and porpoises found in the Wadden Sea area. The facility includes a public aquarium featuring regional marine life and a nature museum focused on the island's coastal ecosystem. Permanent exhibitions display the geological history of the Wadden Sea and the evolution of the barrier islands. The outdoor area contains a bird sanctuary and pools where permanent seal residents are housed. Visitors can observe the daily feeding sessions of seals and sea birds. It operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to marine conservation and environmental education. The center is situated within the Duinen van Texel National Park, providing direct access to surrounding dune trails.
The viewing platform overlooking the outdoor seal pools, which provides a clear angle of the animals during feeding sessions.
Check the daily feeding schedule upon arrival to catch the harbor seal feeding demonstrations.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Duinen van Texel National Park trails.
Visit during the afternoon to avoid peak morning school group visits.
Do not attempt to touch the animals or tap on the aquarium glass.
Open daily throughout the year, including most public holidays.
Maintain silence near the animal pools to avoid stressing the recovering seals.
