The Watt

"Watt" is the name given to a coastal strip of land which at low tide is dry and at high tide is covered by the Wattenmeer. Along the German North Sea coast the Watt is between 7 and 10km (4.5 and 6.5mi) wide, most of it lying inshore of the North and East Frisian Islands.

Warning

At low tide the Watt may look a tempting area for a walk, but it can be dangerous. In some parts of this flat coastal area the tide comes in with incredible speed, and visitors can easily be caught by the advancing waves, which move fast. Walking in the Watt, therefore, should only be undertaken with a knowledgeable guide, or at least after consulting the local tide tables.

Flora and fauna

The unusual natural conditions in the Watt have given rise to an abundance of highly specialized forms of life. The Watt bottom consists of recent marine deposits (sand, silt, clay) with a high proportion of organic substances, which form the first link in the food chain.