Frequently asked questions

When is Sealcentre Pieterburen open?

What are the entrance fees?
You can find all our different tickets and their prices on the ticket information page of the WEC.

Why do I have to pay an entrance fee?
We receive no subsidies and are not supported by the government. To do this work, we depend entirely on donations and entrance fees. Therefore, it is necessary to buy an entry ticket. 

Which ways can I buy tickets?
You can buy a ticket through our online ticket shop, one of our sales partners or at our cash register upon entry.

I have not received any tickets, what now?
Check that the email with tickets has not ended up in your junk mail. Is this not the case? If so, please contact us. We can check for you if something went wrong with your reservation.

Can I cancel my online ticket?
Please contact info@ontdekwec.nl.

I am a donor and/or adopter. Should I indicate in advance that I will visit?

No, that is not necessary. We will check your details at the check-in. Are you an adopter? It would be useful to let us know in advance by e-mail. This way we can prepare ourselves and make time to walk with you to your adopted seal (if it is visible to visitors). At busy times this is more difficult if you drop by spontaneously.

Donateur?
Doneer je €5,- of meer per maand? Dan krijg je gratis toegang en ontvang je korting op WEC-tickets voor jouw gezelschap. Deze tickets zijn uitsluitend verkrijgbaar bij de kassa in het WEC.

I am 65+. Do I get a discount?

Yes, as a senior (65+) you get a €2.50 discount on your visit to the WEC. For more information and other benefits for 65+, see the ticket information page.

I have been given a "Kom-je-langs-kaartje". Do I need to indicate in advance that I will drop by?
There is no need to make a reservation before visiting. You can hand in your ticket at the cash register. Please note that the ticket is valid for 1 person.

Ik ben 65-plusser. Krijg ik korting?
Ja, als senior (65+) krijgt u 2,50 korting op uw bezoek aan het WEC. Kijk voor meer informatie en andere voordelen voor 65-plussers op de ticketinformatiepagina.

I am a student. Do I get a discount?
Yes, as a student you get a 5 euro discount. You can read more about this on our ticket information page. Please bring your student card to prove that you are actually a student.  

Is my Museum Card or CJP pass valid?
We do not give a special rate for the Museum Card. Do you have a CJP card? Then you get a 5 euro discount on your visit to the WEC.

I'm coming with a group. Do we get a discount?
That depends on the size of the group. More information can be found on our group reservation page. To qualify for this, you can book in advance and indicate that you want to use the group discount.

What are your house rules?
We have a separate page for that: read our house rules and practical information.

Are you multilingual?
The information in the Wadden Sea Experience is currently available in 2 languages: Dutch and English. Tours can also be given in German or English, but only by appointment.

Are you accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes, the WEC is fully wheelchair accessible. You can use the main entrance without any problems, where there are spacious passages. Small mobility scooters are also allowed in all parts of the WEC. There are also two adapted toilets and the WEC has a spacious elevator. The routes through the Waddenzee Experience are completely threshold-free and wide enough to navigate comfortably with a wheelchair, small mobility scooter, or stroller. Our team is happy to help where necessary.

Do carers of disabled people have to pay an entrance fee?
If you are unable to move around the WEC independently due to a disability, you may bring a carer with you. The carer may enter for free. You can easily arrange this by going to the reception upon arrival.

Can I borrow a wheelchair?
Unfortunately, there are no wheelchairs available to borrow.

Can I bring my dog ​​or other pet inside?
No, dogs or other pets are not allowed inside. Specially trained assistance dogs, such as guide dogs and Stichting Hulphond dogs, are allowed to accompany you during your visit. Due to the possible spread of diseases between dogs and seals, you must consult with our staff in advance. Assistance dogs are allowed in most of the WEC, but unfortunately not in the outdoor seal pools, to ensure the health of both your dog and the seals.

Please note that it is illegal in the Netherlands to leave your dog in the car. We are forced to call in the police when we receive reports of this. Do not do this under any circumstances.

How long does a visit take?
This differs for each visitor. Want to explore every square metre of our terrain, count every whisker of every seal and read all the information? Then you'll easily be here for two hours. Just want to say hello to the current patients? Then you can be done in half an hour. That way we fit into everyone's schedule for the day.  

What is there to see in the WEC?

The WEC brings together nature, science, and education to discover the beauty and vulnerability of the Wadden Sea. We strive for a healthy balance between people and nature.

• An important part is the new seal hospital, where we build on 50 years of experience from the Pieterburen Seal Centre. Watch the care and rehabilitation of seals and discover the One Health laboratory. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Lauwersmeer, the Wadden Sea, and Schiermonnikoog from the roof.
• Experience the interactive Wadden Sea Experience and learn about ebb and flow, fish migration, and threats to the ecosystem. Discover the impressive Waddenfilm and the interactive Wadden Table.
• In the WEC, ecologists, biologists, and scientists work together to research the Wadden Sea. Through the field station and experience lab, we make science accessible to everyone. We also facilitate research laboratories for companies and educational institutions.

Can I celebrate my (birthday) party at your location?
We have put together a special arrangement for children's parties. More information can be found here .

Are there any guided tours or other extra activities at the Sealcentre?
Yes, we offer guided tours. You can ask for more information at our cash register or contact us.

How can I participate in activities?
You can participate by buying a ticket at the cash register or by reserving a ticket via the activities calendar. On this page you will find our range of outdoor activities, such as boat trips and workshops. For free activities in the WEC, such as feeding times, it is not necessary to register.

Do I need to make reservations for the activities?
This varies per activity, some are bookable and others explicitly not. Our staff can tell you more.

Tickets are sold out on the website, can I buy a ticket at the WEC?
No, that is not possible. If the website indicates that the tickets are sold out, there are no more tickets available at the cash register.

I still see available tickets but can no longer book?
Some activities work with a reservation in advance. If tickets can still be sold at the cash register on the day itself, it is no longer possible to also buy tickets via the website. This is because there are only a limited number of places available and to prevent double booking.

Can I feed a seal?
No, feeding seals is only done by our trained seal nurses.

Can I come and help out for a day?
Everyone who works with the seals is 18 years or older and has first completed the Sealcentre's internal training. Without this training, you cannot volunteer for a day at the Sealcentre. There is a special arrangement where you can join seal care for a day , but this is not for free.

Hoeveel zeehonden zijn er in het zeehondenziekenhuis?
Dat kan verschillen. Er worden zieke, gewonde of verweesde dieren opgevangen en nadat ze hersteld zijn worden de dieren weer vrijgelaten. Geen enkel dier verblijft permanent in opvang. Het aantal dieren dat aanwezig is in het zeehondenziekenhuis verschilt daarom altijd. Soms zijn er meer dan vijftig, maar het gebeurt ook wel eens dat er minder dan tien dieren zijn.

How can I be sure there will be many seals during my visit?
You can't, but you are most likely to see many patients during the two pup seasons. These take place for the common seal in summer and for the grey seal in winter. On average, in the months of July to August we rehabilitate the pups of the common seal and December to January the pups of the grey seal.

Can I see all seals?
No, not all of them. The animals that are very sick or need intensive care are in an intensive care unit where only the vet and seal nurses come. This gives them the rest they need. When they have recovered sufficiently, we move them to the large pools, where they can also be seen by the public.

Are the animals inside or outside?
Both. From the Wadden Sea Experience you can watch some quarantines in the first phase of the shelter. Outside are the phase 2 and 3 pools.

Can I take photos?
Yes, you can. You are not allowed to use the flash. The flash is very disruptive to the seals at the centre. If you want to take photos not intended for your own use during your visit, please (on beforehand) contact us.

Can I touch the animals?
No. All animals at the centre are wild animals that will be returned to their natural habitat when they have recovered. We have rules and regulations to minimise contact with humans.

How are the animals cared for?
That's kind of a complicated question for this page. We explain it to you in full on our website. Some interesting articles are: Day in seal care, Care protocols, Phases of rehabilitation and Nutrition and medication.

Why are there no water bowls in the care units?
Seals do not drink. They get the hydration from their food. Do they need extra fluids? Then our seal nurses administer it via tube feedings.

What about animal welfare?
Animal welfare is a first priority for the Seal Centre Foundation and the WEC. This means that the choices to take in animals, how to care for them, whether or not to show them to the public, and to release them are always weighed against the welfare of a seal.

What do seals eat?
Animals that still need to strengthen are mainly given fish porridge. This is made from salmon. If the seal switches to (solid) fish, they are given herring.

Are there people at the WEC at night?
Yes. The caretakers always do an evening and night round with the animals. In addition, there are about 20-30 students and volunteers living on the WEC campus. So there are always people present.

Can we see seals in the wild?
Yes, you can. From the harbor in Lauwersoog, our boat trips regularly depart to spot seals in the wild. There is also a seal viewing wall during the period when the common seals have their pups. This viewing wall can be found on the edge of the Dollard, an area between the province of Groningen and Germany. Please note: this area is approximately an hour and 10 minutes drive (approximately 50 km) from the WEC.

What kind of boat trips do you offer?
You can find our boat trips and the planned dates on which we sail on the excursions overview page of the WEC. You can also reserve tickets via the pages per trip.

Can I cancel my tickets?
Yes, you can do that up to 24 hours in advance.  You can then get a refund minus the transaction fee. Please contact us.

Can I combine my boat trip with a visit to the WEC?
Of course you can! However, you will need to buy different tickets for both activities. A ticket for a boat trip does not give you access to the centre and vice versa. When you book a trip, you will be given the option to order a combination ticket for the WEC with a discount. This ticket for the WEC is valid on the day of the trip.

Can I join the seal release?
Yes, you can. We sell tickets for our release trips via our online ticket shop. Would you like more information about this special trip? You can read it on our this page.

How far in advance do you announce when you are going to release seals?
We can never plan releases far in advance. Once an animal has recovered, we aim to return the seal to the sea as soon as possible. That is why we plan releases on average seven to ten days in advance. Are there no dates on the ticket page? Then there are no animals that have recovered enough to be released, or the planned trips are unfortunately sold out.

There are no tickets available to release seals. Can I join a waiting list?
No, we do not have a waiting list. However, we do send out a newsletter so that you are the first to know when there are new dates when we set sail. Would you like to receive this e-mail too? Sign up via our seal release page.

Can my dog join the Wadden excursions or seal release?
Only after prior consultation, it might be possible to bring your dog on board. Please contact us.

Can I take my baby on a boat tour?
You can, but we advise against it. There are no life jackets for children under 4 on board and for babies, a tour is very long. Due to the nature of the tours, a crying baby can disturb the animals passengers want to see and the size of the boat offers no extra space for a pram or buggy. Bringing one would take the place of a passenger, which is why buying tickets is required.

I have lost something. Where can I report it?
Always report it if you have lost an item. Then we can pay extra attention to it. Or if it has been found, we will make an appointment for you to come and collect it. You can report it by getting into contact with us.  

Can I rent a locker or hang my coat in a cloakroom?
There are lockers available at the WEC. They are located on the ground floor and are free to use.

Is it possible to change my baby at the WEC?
Of course it is possible to change your baby at the WEC. There is a room available on the ground floor for this purpose.

The Seal Centre is not on Texel?
No, we are located in the harbor of Lauwersoog. On the island of Texel ,there is another seal sanctuary, called Ecomare. Don't worry, you are not the first to ask this. And you won't be the last. We just can't let you in with tickets for Ecomare. If you accidentally ordered the wrong tickets, you will have to order new ones to visit us.