Moddergat – Fishing History and Wadden Landscape

Fishing history and village character

As a travel destination, Moddergat combines fishing history and Wadden landscapes. The permanent exhibition “Vissers van Wad en Gat” is housed in the “de Aek” building. It covers the 1883 fishing disaster, in which 83 fishermen drowned, as well as Moddergat’s rescue station and fishing techniques; a model of the village complements the exhibition. A specific historical event, fishing practices and a model of the village thus offer different perspectives side by side.

Museum and cultural events

The buildings of the ‘t Fiskershúske Museum are part of Moddergat’s protected village character. In 2026, the museum and tourist information office are open Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from 14 February to 31 October. Opening hours may change, so check the schedule before travelling. All five fishermen’s houses are wheelchair accessible. This combines a museum visit with a look at the protected village character.

It Grenaatfabrykje is an outpost of the museum in Moddergat. Shrimp fishermen founded it in 1924. The dates refer to different historical milestones: 1883 for the fishing disaster and 1924 for its founding by shrimp fishermen. The Seedykstermerk is a summer market held annually around the fishermen’s houses. If you plan to visit the market, check the specific event date in advance.

Peazemerlannen and the tidal landscape

The Peazemerlannen nature area lies on the edge of the villages of Peazens and Moddergat. It includes a salt marsh, a summer polder, old dikes and mudflats. In 1973, the Wadden Sea breached the summer dike, creating the salt marsh and summer polder. The breach explains the origins of these two landscape features, while the old dikes and mudflats complete the picture of the area.

Along the Strekdam are mussel and oyster beds, which are partly exposed at low tide. A staircase leads up to the dike from the Achterwei near the mudflat walking centre; the Strekdam lies beyond it. Facilities may change, so check access information before your visit.

Walks and experiencing the mudflats

The Peazemerlannen walking route is about 3 kilometres long and leads through the salt marsh and over part of the summer dike. The approximate distance provides a rough guide for choosing a route; seasonal conditions can affect walking. A walking route described in the 2025 Waddentour brochure starts at the bus stop in Moddergat, near the sea dike. The ‘t Fiskershúske Museum also offers guided mudflat walks across the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site with trained mudflat guides; contacting the museum in advance is recommended.

When choosing between a nature route and a mudflat walk, both the route and the format differ: the Peazemerlannen route goes through the salt marsh and over part of the summer dike, while the museum walk is a guided tour across the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The approximate distance is a useful planning guide for the route; advance contact is recommended for the guided tour. This lets you take the different types of outing into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Niawier, Anjum, Holwerd, Waaxens Gem Dongeradeel, Metslawier, Ee, Dokkum, Nes Gem Dongeradeel

For the broader travel overview: Dongeradeel.