Discover Ummanz: Nature, History and Water Sports

Ummanz is an island off the western coast of Rügen, in the Schaproder Bodden, and is part of the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park. A bridge connects the island to Rügen’s Muttland and leads to the main village of the municipality. When planning your stay, the landscape, water sports and historic sites offer different points of interest: Tankow is known for nature watching, Suhrendorf for activities on the water, and Freesenort and Waase for history and culture.

Landscape and outdoor activities on Ummanz

From the wooden birdwatching hide in Tankow, you can look out over salt meadows and Bodden waters. In autumn, cranes stop there on their southward migration. The combination of a resting place and expansive landscape makes this spot particularly significant for anyone interested in bird migration and nature watching.

The island can also be explored by bicycle: you can cycle around Ummanz on paved roads, with opportunities for nature watching along the way. If you prefer to travel on foot, the circular hike “Around the Island of Ummanz” is a longer route listed as 17.1 kilometres and 4 hours 30 minutes. This distance and duration help you plan the hike as a dedicated block of time, rather than confusing it with a cycling loop.

Historic and cultural sites

Freesenort is the oldest settlement on Ummanz and was first mentioned in historical records in 1319. Four listed buildings still stand there. One of them is a Low German hall house with a sugarloaf-shaped roof, thought to date from the 17th century. This approximate dating sets the building apart from the precisely dated history of the carved altar in St. Mary’s Church in Waase: the late Gothic Antwerp Altarpiece dates from 1520.

The “Insel Schatz Ummanz” National Park exhibition offers another way to discover the island’s nature and culture. Admission is free; the exhibition is bilingual, including English, and wheelchair accessible. In Wusse, the Ummanz-Keramik workshop demonstrates traditional craftsmanship during opening hours: visitors can watch the ceramic artists at work. The carefully hand-painted ceramic products feature motifs characteristic of the local landscape. If you are planning a visit to the workshop, check its opening hours.

Water sports and other activities

Suhrendorf is a popular spot for surfers and kitesurfers and has a fine-sand bathing beach. The UMMAII water sports centre offers windsurfing, wingfoiling and kitesurfing courses. It also rents out SUP boards and canoes, and offers guided canoe trips for groups. This means you can choose between different types of water sports: courses, rentals and guided group trips. The centre’s seasonal opening period may change; check the current offers in advance.

Horse riding is another activity available on Ummanz, including riding lessons, riding badges and rides through the countryside. Along with cycling, hiking and water sports, it offers a range of ways to stay active. Which one suits your stay depends on whether you are looking for a circular route, an activity on the water or a ride through the countryside.

Information and regional products

The Ummanz Visitor Centre provides brochures, flyers and maps, as well as information and tips for stays and day trips on Ummanz. It also sells regional products and souvenirs, including local honey and handicrafts. The range of individual products may vary. You can combine getting your bearings with a look at regional products, while keeping the centre’s information services separate from activities at other places on the island.

Discover more destinations: Schaprode, Rambin, Samtens, Gingst, Altefähr, Neuenkirchen, Dreschvitz, Kluis

Back to the main travel overview: Amt West-Rügen.