Seal Centre Pieterburen
Pieterburen, Netherlands
A rescue centre for seals found sick or orphaned on the Wadden coast. Pieterburen is also the base for guided mudflat walks at low tide, which you should never try without a guide.
Pieterburen is a small village in the municipality of Het Hogeland in the Dutch province of Groningen, close to the Wadden Sea. It was first mentioned in 1371 under the name Sancti Petri, when the church was built. The place became known for its seal centre, which Lenie 't Hart built up from 1971.
Important: the seal rescue station in Pieterburen closed on 5 January 2025 after more than 50 years. Since then the centre has operated from the Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre (WEC) in the harbour at Lauwersoog, which opened to the public on 25 April 2025. As of October 2026 the WEC was in financial difficulty; on 30 October 2026 Hart van Nederland reported that the planned bankruptcy filing had been suspended for now, with more clarity expected in about two weeks. Please check visiting options in advance.
Pieterburen remains a starting point for mudflat walks (wadlopen), for example to Schiermonnikoog. They are possible only at low tide and, being potentially dangerous, are allowed only with a licensed guide. The long-distance Pieterpad trail also begins here and ends at Sint Pieter in the far south of the Netherlands. Please check dates and tides in advance.
- Nearest town
- Pieterburen, Netherlands
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 53.3979, 6.4498
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Netherlands: No motorway tolls for cars. 100 km/h on motorways between 6:00 and 19:00.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camperplaats Wehe-den-HoornMotorhome stopover5 km from Seal Centre Pieterburen · 17 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Marenland RecreatieCampsite8 km from Seal Centre PieterburenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Basecamp NoordpolderzijlCampsite10 km from Seal Centre PieterburenTentsMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
- Haven HunzegatMotorhome stopover12 km from Seal Centre PieterburenMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping De RousantCampsite12 km from Seal Centre PieterburenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camperplaats WesterwijtwerdMotorhome stopover15 km from Seal Centre PieterburenMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Netherlands · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Seal Centre Pieterburen?
Seal Centre Pieterburen is in Pieterburen, Netherlands, at GPS 53.3979, 6.4498. It is about 16 km from Lauwersoog.
Can you camp near Seal Centre Pieterburen?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Boet'n Toen, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 70 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Seal Centre Pieterburen?
Seal Centre Pieterburen is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Friesland and the Wadden coast.
What is there to see near Seal Centre Pieterburen?
Places worth a stop nearby: Pilsum Lighthouse (41 km), Norddeich Seal Station (53 km), Eise Eisinga Planetarium (65 km) and Dwingelderveld National Park (67 km).
When is the best time to visit Seal Centre Pieterburen?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)