Holiday apartment in Ouwerkerk: Nature, Water and History

Ouwerkerk combines nature observation, water experiences and the history of the Watersnoodramp. The various sites range from the tidal pools and the creek area to caissons, the museum, monument and activities on the water, giving the village several specific points of interest. The history of the village itself also provides a clear framework for your stay. The tide-dependent pools and historic sites give your stay in Ouwerkerk different focal points and a changing daily rhythm.

Tidal pools and creek area

At low tide, the tidal pools near Ouwerkerk become visible. They lie at the foot of the dike; the water remaining in them makes it possible to look for underwater life in the Oosterschelde and catch a glimpse of this underwater world without getting wet. The time of low tide is therefore relevant when planning your day: if you want to observe the pools, plan this nature stop for that period. The creek area also combines birdwatching with water activities such as canoeing and stand-up paddling on its waters.

The Ouwerkerk creek area is a 140-hectare nature reserve that was handed over to Staatsbosbeheer after the dike breach of 1953. Many songbirds, such as willow warblers and chiffchaffs, breed there. Kingfishers, swans, woodpeckers, great crested grebes and birds of prey can also be observed. You can go canoeing or stand-up paddling on the waters of the Ouwerkerk creek area. With a permit, it is also possible to fish for eel and trout there.

Caissons, museum and Watersnood Monument

Ouwerkerk is considered the oldest village on Schouwen-Duiveland and probably originated in the 11th century. Near Ouwerkerk stand caissons that were used to close the large breaches in the dikes after the Watersnoodramp; the Watersnoodmuseum is located in these caissons. The museum offers a special youth route with an accompanying activity booklet. The Watersnoodmuseum’s free WATERgezicht app also allows you to take an audio tour through the caissons; the app additionally contains routes for walks and cycling tours in the surrounding area.

The history of the village also includes a visit to the new cemetery and the Watersnood Monument, where you can pause for a moment. There is a spacious car park directly in front of the Watersnoodmuseum. At Het Vijfde Caisson, visitors can have lunch or eat something on the spacious terrace, even without visiting the museum.

Plan your water experiences consciously

Anyone wanting to reach the Zuidbout diving site has to walk a considerable distance along the pier, as the water is very shallow close to the shore. This specific information is part of planning the day, along with deciding whether nature observation, paddling, fishing or the history of the caissons should take centre stage. For a day of canoeing, stand-up paddling or fishing with a permit, this additional walk should also be taken into account as a separate period of time.

Discover more places

Ellemeet, Oosterland, Noordgouwe, Zonnemaire, Brouwershaven, Kerkwerve, Bruinisse and Dreischor

For the broader travel overview: Schouwen-Duiveland.