Yerseke offers several specific ways to explore its oyster culture and local history. Guided tours, museum exhibits and cycling routes cover different topics: from oyster farming to the history of Reimerswaal and the landscape features of Yerseke Moer.

Oyster Culture at the Museum and Oyster Pits

At the Oesterij, guided tours of the historic oyster pits take place year-round. The focus is on the history, farming and processing of oysters.

The Oosterscheldemuseum presents the history of the town and its fishing, mussel and oyster culture. The permanent exhibition shows how oysters were farmed in Zeeland in the past. A dedicated section is devoted to the submerged town of Reimerswaal. It includes archaeological finds, maps and other remains. The museum therefore offers different perspectives on history side by side: the town’s fishing and oyster culture, and the history of a sunken town.

The Oesterij tours and the permanent exhibition take different approaches to oyster farming. The Oesterij focuses on the history, farming and processing of oysters, while the exhibition focuses on oyster farming in Zeeland in the past. Exploring both helps visitors distinguish between these historical and thematic focuses. Reimerswaal adds a separate topic to the museum’s exhibits.

Yerseke Moer: Landscape and Cycling Routes

In Yerseke Moer, the influence of the sea and human activity have shaped creeks, watering holes, Hollestellen and a rolling landscape. The 20 km experience route links a viewpoint, a birdwatching screen, information boards and picnic areas. As well as giving its length, the route offers several reasons to stop along the way: to enjoy the landscape, watch birds, read information and take a break at a picnic area.

At 51.4 km, the Zilte Route offers a different scale of ride. It runs along the saline waters of the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde; at 20 km, the experience route in Yerseke Moer is considerably shorter. The Zilte Route also invites cyclists to make a detour to the Oesterputten in Yerseke. The old Oesterputten are now part of Zeeland’s cultural heritage. The routes therefore differ both in length and in their stated highlights: in the Moer, landscape features and birdwatching; on the Zilte Route, saline waters and a cultural detour to the Oesterputten.

The bronze statue of the Mosselman at the harbour entrance in Yerseke is also part of the cultural heritage. It symbolises a long tradition of mussel fishing. While the museum conveys history through exhibits and materials, the statue commemorates this tradition. The Oesterputten provide another point of reference for exploring the cultural heritage.

Boat Trips with De Oestervisser

Another perspective opens up on the water: oyster farmer De Oestervisser operates mainly from Yerseke on the Oosterschelde and regularly runs boat trips for individual visitors. The trips offer a different way to explore the world of oysters than the guided tours at the historic oyster pits. Dates may vary. If you’re planning a boat trip, it’s best to check the current dates in advance. This lets you take into account the difference between a tour covering the history, farming and processing of oysters and a boat trip when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Rilland, Kruiningen.

For the overview of the wider region: Reimerswaal.