Sint Philipsland: Nature and Cultural Heritage

Sint Philipsland brings nature observation, outdoor activity and regional history together within a compact thematic area. This character is particularly striking in Slikken van de Heen, where former sandbanks, mudflats and salt marshes alternate with wooded and open areas. When the Philipsdam was completed in 1987, the areas fell dry and became freshened. This created a dynamic landscape in which open expanses alternate with wooded sections.

Trails through Slikken van de Heen

At the car park on Campweg, the 3.7-kilometre Torenroute and the 2.5-kilometre Verrekijkerroute begin in Slikken van de Heen. The two route lengths make it easier to plan your day: the Verrekijkerroute is the shorter option, while the Torenroute covers more ground. Many bird species breed in Slikken van de Heen, including marsh harrier, stonechat, tree pipit, osprey and white-tailed eagle. This allows you to combine a walk through the landscape with targeted birdwatching.

Another perspective is offered by the 19-kilometre Sint Philipsland Bird Route, a cycling tour that combines cultural-historical and natural attractions. Along this route, you will encounter diverse vegetation, cultural-historical features, and birds that are feeding and breeding. At junction 97, cyclists can walk up the dyke and enjoy the view over the Krabbenkreek. At low tide, hundreds of birds search for food in the mudflats there.

Birdlife and Living Cultural Heritage

The Eendenkooi Sint Philipsland is a bird-rich location. Wild duck species found there include mallard, teal, wigeon, pochard, gadwall, shoveler and barnacle goose. Species that breed in the reeds include little grebe, sedge warbler and marsh harrier. The Eendenkooi is also a site of Dutch cultural heritage where an old Dutch duck-catching tradition is still practised.

The Eendenkooi Sint Philipsland can be visited during its opening period after contacting the kooiker in advance. In addition, the Parelroute „Beweging“ presents Sint Philipsland through the changing tides, the turning sails of the old mill, the former tramway and local sports. Here, nature and human history do not appear as separate subjects, but as different ways of approaching the same landscape.

Regional Structures and Island Landscapes

The wider regional surroundings of Sint Philipsland include Fort Hendrik, a fortress; Markiezenhof, a castle; and Fort de Roovere and Fort Sabina, both fortresses. These structures broaden the cultural perspective beyond the island. The islands of Goeree Overflakkee, Tiengemeten, Schouwen-Duiveland and Veermansplaat are also located in the wider regional area. They represent the region's distinctive island and waterways landscape.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Sint Philipsland, you can first decide which focus should shape your days: shorter walks through Slikken van de Heen, a 19-kilometre cycling tour, observations at the Krabbenkreek, the birdlife of the Eendenkooi or cultural-historical impressions along the Parelroute. Accommodation in Sint Philipsland can therefore serve as a starting point for your personal plans and suit a wide range of interests, without requiring you to commit to just one type of holiday day.

More Places to Choose From

Sint-Annaland, Tholen, Scherpenisse, Poortvliet, Stavenisse and Sint Maartensdijk

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Tholen.