Our 13 stilt houses ensure you’ll have everything you need on the North Sea beach. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for a day at the beach in Sankt Peter-Ording—from restaurants, lifeguards, and beach chair rentals to changing rooms and public restrooms.
Endless Expanses on the Beach at St. Peter-Ording
12 kilometers long and up to 2 kilometers wide—that’s the sandy beach of St. Peter-Ording on the North Sea coast, right in the heart of the Wadden Sea National Park, and it’s arguably one of the most beautiful places on the Eiderstedt peninsula. Here you’ll find dunes, salty North Sea water, mudflats and waves, a fresh breeze, fine sand, and endless expanses.
Whether you’re planning a relaxing day in a beach chair, want to run around in the sand with the whole family, or prefer to get active on the water—the five very different beach sections of SPO offer the perfect conditions for your vacation by the sea!
Strand aufs Herz
Do your St. Peter-Ording!
Here’s a huge dose of Strand aufs Herz! Ride horses along the water’s edge, enjoy a meal seven meters above sea level, crown Grandpa the “King of the Mudflats,” or experience the open expanse for yourself while kitesurfing or watching a wide variety of beach sports.
Our beach is a place of diversity in every season—here, everyone can do what they love. Here you can relax, explore, enjoy yourself, or let off some steam. Together with your loved ones or all by yourself—and right in the heart of the UNESCO Wadden Sea World Heritage Site. That’s St. Peter-Ording!
The beach right outside the front door
A Vacation with the Sound of the Ocean
Would you like to experience the beach, the sea, and the North Sea breeze firsthand? Whether you’re looking for an active vacation, a relaxing and cozy getaway, or a journey of discovery—our accommodations in St. Peter-Ording and on the Eiderstedt Peninsula offer the perfect option for every North Sea guest.
Active on the Beach
Swimming Fun, Water Sports & More
Whether in or on the water, dashing across the sand, or wandering through the mudflats—here on the beach at SPO, you have plenty of opportunities to let off steam and get some exercise in the fresh North Sea air!
Be Considerate on the Road
Beach Rules
- Entering the dunes is strictly prohibited—except in the areas specifically marked for that purpose.
- Exploring the salt marshes is permitted only on the existing trails.
On the Böhl beach section and at Ording Strand, you may park your car on the beach from March 15 through October 31, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. However, please note the following:
- Parking is permitted only in the designated parking areas and exclusively during these hours.
- The speed limit on the beach is 30 km/h.
- The provisions of the traffic regulations apply.
- Buses and trucks are not permitted.
- You must park your vehicle in the same manner as is customary in all other parking lots. Parking in a circle is prohibited.
- Overnight stays in or near your vehicle, including RVs and similar vehicles, are not permitted.
- Setting up tents or similar structures is prohibited.
Dogs must be kept on a leash throughout the entire beach—including the parking areas and salt marshes. The only exceptions are the designated dog-off-leash areas on the Bad and Ording Nord sections of the beach.
- Horseback riding is permitted in the designated areas between the local districts "Dorf" and "Böhl". A riding permit is required.
- Riding on the beach for sporting activities, such as mountain boarding, is prohibited on the entire sandbank. Only beach sailing and kite buggy riding are permitted in the areas specifically designated for these activities.
- A zone for water sports has been established between the Ording and Bad beach sections.
From time to time, paraffin can wash up on our beach in St. Peter-Ording. Paraffin looks like a waxy chunk and comes in a wide variety of sizes. Paraffin is used, for example, in the manufacture of cosmetics, candles, and rubber products.
Paraffin is harmful to your health and may even be toxic. Therefore, please do not touch or smell it.
If you discover large amounts of paraffin on the beach, please feel free to let us know via our beach patrol or our tourist information office (+49 4863 999-0). Our staff always strive to keep the beach as free of paraffin as possible. However, removing large quantities can take some time, as changes in the water level can cause new paraffin to wash ashore repeatedly.
You can find more information and photos of paraffin finds in this flyer from the Ministry of Energy Transition, Agriculture, Environment, Nature, and Digitalization of the State of Schleswig-Holstein.
- Open fires and all forms of barbecuing are prohibited.
- Flying and filming with drones is prohibited in the national park—and therefore on the beach, over the dunes, and in the salt marshes.
- Placing advertisements and selling any products is prohibited.
- Cycling on the beach is prohibited.
- Kiteboarding on the beach is prohibited.
© Oliver Franke
Houses on stilts
Stilt Houses in SPO
St. Peter-Ording Water Rescue Service
Lifeguards & Beach Volunteers
Our water rescue heroes on the North Sea beach—they explain the tides, treat minor and major injuries, and on some days reunite up to 70 “lost children” with their parents. And in an emergency, they’re ready to bring water sports enthusiasts or swimmers in distress back to shore—whether in rescue boats or as lifeguards.
© Oliver Franke
On the spot
During the swimming season, lifeguards are on duty at six stations along SPO Beach—including full-time lifeguards from the Tourism Office and additional volunteers during the summer months. Outside the swimming season, as well as at any time of day or night, a mobile water rescue team is ready to respond at a moment’s notice. They can be alerted by calling the emergency number 112.
© tzspo
Safety First
DRLG bands for young swimmers
The DLRG wristbands offer a great way to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach with the whole family. Labeled with the parents’ personal information, the wristbands can be easily worn by children on their wrists, helping to reunite them with their families. This way, the family can be notified at any time if a child happens to get lost on the beach.
Special note: The wristbands can be used during multiple beach visits, including at many other beaches along the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts. Ideal for frequent beachgoers in Schleswig-Holstein. In addition, the wristbands can be returned to the beach lifeguard station at the end of the vacation if they are no longer needed.
© TZ-SPO
Rolling across the North Sea beach
Accessibility at the Beach
Beach wheelchairs available for rent, accessible restrooms on the beach, and wheelchair-accessible beach entrances—all of this ensures that whether you’re a wheelchair or walker user, or a family with a stroller, you can enjoy a relaxing visit to the sandy beach at St. Peter-Ording.
Accessibility
© Geheimtipp Hamburg
On a Treasure Hunt
Beach Finds
Are you out and about on the coast near Eiderstedt and come across a real treasure during your walk on the beach? Whether it’s a special seashell, a rare intertidal creature, or even a piece of amber—with the Beach Explorer, you can report and identify your find.
Listen to beach insiders on the podcast
Dike Moments
In the newly released podcast "Deichmomente" – Where Stories from the Far North Take on a Human Face – Simone talks with people who have found a home on the North Sea. They talk about their longings, about living with an eye toward the future—and about why they’ve found their personal happiness right here, between high and low tide.
Come along to St. Peter-Ording on the Eiderstedt Peninsula—where the sea comes and goes, revealing the mudflats in between.
It’s worth taking a vacation here: www.st-peter-ording.de
More info about the podcast "Deichmomente": www.st-peter-ording.de/deichmomente
@copyright Tourismus-Zentrale St. Peter-Ording
Behind the counter at Haus Peters: Spices, Secrets, and Stories from an Old General Store
In this episode of DEICHMOMENTE, we’ll take you inside Haus Peters—a 19th-century merchant’s shop that has been preserved to this day. Amid creaking floorboards and nostalgic merchandise, we’ll delve into the history of trade in Eiderstedt.
But this house in the tranquil, picture-perfect village of Tetenbüll is more than just a museum: it’s a vibrant cultural hub featuring exhibitions, events, and plenty of North Frisian charm. Give it a listen and experience the past up close! Or why not stop by and check it out for yourself if you’re ever in Eiderstedt!
The Digital World Meets North German Originals—Our Special Episode with Heinzi and Schacho
We have a very special podcast episode for you—our special episode, DEICHMOMENTE!
Who doesn’t know them? Heinzi & Schacho! Two North German characters who really shook things up on our social media channels in 2024.
By now, the two of them are known not only here on our Eiderstedt peninsula, but far beyond as well!
No one would have guessed 40 or even 25 years ago that the two of them would ever end up in front of the camera, and generally speaking, landing this job here on the North Sea coast was more of a coincidence. It makes it all the more wonderful for us that they’re still part of our team today. But before we give too much away: Why not just give it a listen—Finja, our social media manager, sat down with these two coastal kids to get to the bottom of things.
A seal spotted! Now what? The seal hunter tells the story.
In this episode, we talk with Toni, the seal hunter at SPO and on the Eiderstedt Peninsula, and Finia, SPO’s social media manager, about a very special topic: seals, harbor seals, and monk seals—the small but wild stars of the North Sea.
What does a seal hunter do? When should I report a stranded seal? What makes this work so special, and why is public communication on this topic so important? We have the answers—be sure to tune in!
25 Years of the Garding Musicians' Exchange
A music event known far beyond the Eiderstedt Peninsula is celebrating a special anniversary: The Gardinger Musikantenbörse is turning 25!
In this episode, we speak with Jan Gawellek and Rainer Martens, who give us fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into this unique event. Learn all about the origins of the Musikantenbörse, the work of the “Musik für Garding” association, and the special highlights of this year’s “Silberbörse.”
Why is the Musikantenbörse a must-see for music lovers? How did it all begin, and what motivates the organizers? What stories and anecdotes from the past 25 years are there to share? Our guests answer these and many other questions while sharing their passion and enthusiasm for the event and their hometown of Garding.
A Visit to the Kirchspielkrug in Westerhever
How about a trip to the lighthouse followed by a cozy stop for a bite to eat? Whether it’s hearty North Frisian fare or heavenly sweets, pure indulgence awaits you in Eiderstedt. By the way, typical spots in Eiderstedt are the “Kirchspielkrüge”—as the name suggests, these are taverns located right near a church, inviting you to stop by.
For our new podcast episode “Deichmomente,” we were guests at the Kirchspielkrug Westerhever and spoke with Volker Böttcher about North Frisian moments of indulgence. After all, these moments play a major role at the Kirchspielkrug Westerhever, which bears the FEINHEIMISCH seal of culinary excellence. 🤗
Stormy North Sea
In the fall and winter, the weather on the Eiderstedt Peninsula on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein tends to get stormy. So it’s high time for our podcast "Deichmomente" to tackle the topic of storm surges. In this episode, as we chat with tour guide Herbert Wolff, you’ll learn a lot of fascinating facts about the North Sea’s forces of nature, as well as about the dikes and the impressive "Eidersperrwerk" (flood barrier) which protects the coast. But we’ll also be chatting about the unique world of the Hallig islands, mudflat tours in the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site, and the special “Spökenkieker” information center in Olversum on Eiderstedt.
The First Stilt House Behind the Dike - The Erlebnis-Hus
St. Peter-Ording, our favorite “sandbox” on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein—and here on the Eiderstedt Peninsula—has gained a new highlight: The Erlebnis-Hus, the first stilt house built behind the dike, is something truly special. Planned and built in collaboration with Holzer Kobler Architekturen GmbH and Uniola AG, the new Erlebnis-Hus was officially opened in the summer of 2023. But where exactly is this new stilt house located? What does it look like? What can you experience and discover at the Erlebnis-Hus? We’ll find out the answers in a conversation with Katharina Schirmbeck, Director of Tourism for St. Peter-Ording, and Christin Reisewitz from the events department of the Tourismus-Zentrale St. Peter-Ording.
Tönning Christmas Event
© Tourism and Recreation Businesses in Tönning
It’s the absolute highlight of the winter season on the Eiderstedt peninsula: the Christmas event at the Tönninger Packhaus! In this episode, we get to see this very special Christmas market from a different perspective, as we take a look behind the scenes and get to know the “Packhaus family.”
Uwe Wrigge from the Packhaus Friends Association tells us how the Packhaus—once one of the largest warehouses on the coast—became the world’s longest Advent calendar and how the Christmas event came to be.
Around here, we say MOIN!
© Oliver Franke
You’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and here it is: our low german episode, “Deichmomente”!
From “Huulbessen” to “Slackermaschü”: In this episode, Katharina talks with “citizen of the world” and low german expert Marianne Ehlers about the low german language, why she’s so committed to preserving it, and why low german means “home” to her. Take part in the low german quiz and look forward to a low german story about “de schöönste Halfinsel.”
A Night in the North Sea—with Extreme Swimmer André Wiersig
© Dennis Daletzki
Helgoland—can you swim there? In 2021, extreme swimmer André Wiersig swam from St. Peter-Ording to Helgoland wearing nothing but swim trunks and a swim cap. We talk to André about his experience, about the eerie and beautiful moments he spent in the sea, and about how important it is to him to protect our oceans!
X-H2O Water Sports Center — A Favorite Spot on Ording Beach
© TZSPO
Our podcast guest is Hein Jeve, owner of the X-H2O Water Sports Center, which has been a fixture on the Ording waterfront since 2006 and is one of the largest surf schools in the country!
We talk with Hein about his love for water sports, how his surf school got started, the effort involved, and give a quick overview of how all the different water sports differ from one another.
We were very impressed by Hein’s answer to the question of what has driven him for so many years to run a business whose operations depend, among other things, on waves, wind, and weather!
A Guest in the World - At Home in a Stilt House
© Salt & Silver by the Sea
We visited Salt & Silver am Meer on Böhl Beach with Deichmomente.
We spoke with Salt & Silver’s founders, Johannes Riffelmacher and Thomas Kosikowski, about the everyday madness that comes with opening a new restaurant.
They explained to us the wonderful moments that come with a restaurant’s location right by the sea, but also the areas where this creates extra work, why sustainability must encompass many facets, and how you can learn, step by step every day, to advocate for a better future.
What stands out most is that the two have a very special connection not only to the people around them but also to the ingredients they use in their dishes.
A Christmas Story by & starring Selina Seemann
© TZSPO
Hohoho & Merry Christmas, dear Deichmomente listeners!
In this episode, Selina Seemann is our guest on the podcast "Deichmomente". Selina has won the hearts of northern Germans with her unique way of speaking. We talk with the poetry slammer from the north about the Christmas season and its traditions, as well as the kind of Christmas cards she likes to write and why, for her, Christmas marks the start of a weeks-long sugar binge every year! She’s also brought along her very own low german Christmas story—just give it a listen, it’s going to be exceptionally heartwarming!
You can also read Selina’s Christmas story in her latest book. You’ll find the recipe for traditional North Frisian Klütjes cookies on the Herzelieb blog.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!
Working where others go on vacation
© Oliver Franke
In this podcast episode, Simone talks with Katharina Schirmbeck, the tourism director of St. Peter-Ording and head of the Local Tourism Organization St. Peter-Ording / Eiderstedt, about St. Peter-Ording as a place to call home: living, working, enjoying free time—all around the clock on the 12-kilometer-long sandy beach.
In addition to topics such as the Tourism Office as an employer and its core responsibilities, the two also delve into a very trendy topic: workation.
What that actually means, why the concept is also very appealing to visitors, and how you can easily make a workation happen in SPO—you’ll learn all about it in an exciting 25-minute episode.
Art in Eiderstedt
© Oliver Franke
On Sunday (August 29, 2021), the “Eiderstedt Open Studios Day” will take place. For an entire day, artists from Eiderstedt will open their studios and galleries to the public. To learn more about art in Eiderstedt, Katharina interviewed Dirk-Uwe Becker, the chair of the Förderverein für Kunst und Kultur Eiderstedt e.V. (Eiderstedt Association for the Promotion of Art and Culture). Dirk-Uwe Becker not only talks about the different types of art and creative work found on the peninsula, but also about how the light and the vast sky along our North Sea coast can influence art. And did you know that one of the oldest artists in Eiderstedt, puppeteer Marianne Vocke, packed up her rod puppets and traveled all the way to Morocco in her Volkswagen van to perform for people there?
Guided Tour of the Hochdorf Garden
© Oliver Franke
Back in the spring, the “Hochdorfer Garten” was the topic of our podcast “Deichmomente.” Since we received such great feedback on that episode—and the weather right now is perfect for exploring the Hochdorfer Garten—you can look forward to a guided tour this month with Hans-Georg Hostrup through the stately village park in Tating.
This episode takes a closer look at the individual sections of the garden and highlights just how diverse this historic garden is here on the North Sea coast.
The beach chair—our favorite wicker piece!
© Oliver Franke
June 15 is the official “Beach Chair Day.” Find out in this episode why it’s this particular day and who actually invented it—our secret star by the water’s edge! We also stopped by Oliver Theede’s workshop, “Eiderstedter Strandkörbe” (https://eiderstedter-strandkoerbe.de/), in Friedrichstadt and learned a lot about beach chairs and how they’re made. How many hours does it take to build a beach chair? Is the beach chair actually only this popular here in Germany? We’ll get to the bottom of all these questions—stay tuned! We hope you enjoy this new episode of Deichmomente!
Enjoy! This is the taste of SPO & Eiderstedt
© Oliver Franke
Detlef Arlt is a journalist, author, podcaster, and a jack-of-all-trades. For many years now, he has been writing for publications such as the St. Peter-Ording / Eiderstedt magazine and the foodie magazine Mohltied! Detlef loves Eiderstedt cuisine and knows exactly what treats you can indulge in at SPO and on our beautiful peninsula! We’ll also be talking to him about the perfect fish sandwich, farm-fresh vegetables, and quirky drinks that’ll really get you fired up!
So if you’re interested in learning more about our regional dishes, don’t miss this episode!
You can find plenty of Detlef’s tips for dining and exploring on our website: https://www.spo-eiderstedt.de/eiderstedt/essen-trinken
And if you’re up for it, you can put together your own Northern German menu and get cooking: https://www.spo-eiderstedt.de/eiderstedt/essen-trinken/eiderstedter-spezialitaeten
Spring in the Hochdorf Garden, the beautiful village park in Eiderstedt
© TZSPO
In the small village of Tating, located just outside St. Peter-Ording, lies one of the most beautiful spots in Eiderstedt: The Hochdorfer Garden. In this episode, Hans-Georg Hostrup—whom we met in the episode about the Haubarg (traditional farm housing)—tells us many fascinating things about the village park “Hochdorfer Garten” and the Schweizer. Did you know, for example, that a special variety of apple from this very garden won an award at the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris? If you’d like to learn more about this unique garden landmark, you can find all the information here: https://hochdorfer-garten.de/
Asking the Mayor
© Oliver Franke
In this episode, Simone asks Rainer Balsmeier, the current mayor of St. Peter-Ording, what it’s actually like to step down after 25 years as mayor and leave the North Sea in a few weeks. She also talks to Jürgen Ritter, the future mayor, about what the local residents can look forward to in the future. Stay tuned for the 12th episode of “Deichmomente”!
A Journey Through the Seasons in the North
© SaltyLove
Join Simone and Anna & Michael from the blog “SaltyLove” on an imaginary journey through the seasons here with us on the North Sea. Exactly one year ago, these two bloggers fulfilled a dream and found their new home in Eiderstedt. In this 22-minute podcast episode, you’ll learn about everything these two northerners have experienced since then and why they love being outdoors so much, no matter the weather.
The WOCHENENDER Travel Guide
© TZSPO
In Episode 10, Simone talks with Elisabeth Frenz, publisher of the WOCHENENDER travel book series, about the most beautiful places on the Eiderstedt peninsula, discovering unique spots, and how the first WOCHENENDER book actually came to be.
Haubarg, the Giants of Eiderstedt
© Oliver Franke
In this episode of “Deichmomente,” Katharina & Simone speak with Hans-Georg Hostrup, owner of the Blumenhof Haubarg and chairman of IG Baupflege Nordfriesland & Dithmarschen e. V., about the giants of Eiderstedt: the Haubargs (traditional farm housing).
Haubarg (traditional farm housing) is the typical farmhouse of the Eiderstedt Peninsula—where, for centuries, people and animals lived under one roof, albeit in separate rooms. The story of the Haubargs continues! Today, they serve as restaurants, vacation houses, and hiding places for true treasures of the past.
St. Peter-Ording Water Park
© Oliver Franke
The "Deichmomente" podcast is back after the COVID-19 hiatus! Katharina & Simone spoke with three very different people about "St. Peter-Ording: A Swimmer's Paradise." In addition to Claus Heitmann, a local historian, and Nils Stauch from the DLRG St. Peter-Ording, Heinz-Dieter “Heinzi” Hecke is back to share his unique experiences from the sandbank.
Everything about sheep!
© TZSPO
In mid-February, Katharina & Simone visited the sheep barn of amateur shepherd and horse lover Wiebke Weber in Tümlauer Koog. She answered all our questions about sheep with humor and passion. In this episode, you’ll find out what sheep are doing here on the dike and how long it takes for those cute little lambs to be born.
In Search of Amber!
© Oliver Franke
Simone met up with Boy Jöns at the North Sea Amber Museum for the latest winter story! Boy, the North Sea coast’s leading expert on amber, reveals where amber can be found on our sandbank—and how this “gold of the North” actually ends up there.
Beach Stories from St. Peter-Ording - Tell Me a Story... In Eiderstedt!
© Oliver Franke
Laugh along with Heinz-Dieter “Heinzi” Hecke, who has been working for 30 years as a beach supervisor, lifeguard, and beach chair rental operator on the beach at St. Peter-Ording, as he shares the funniest and most curious anecdotes and stories from his daily work.
1,000 Years of Church Architecture—Tell Me About It... In Eiderstedt!
© Oliver Franke
We’ll take you on a journey back to the year 1000, where you’ll learn fascinating facts about Eiderstedt’s oldest resident, St. Magnus Church in Tating, and the development of the peninsula’s unique church landscape, featuring 18 remarkable churches!
The Tümlauer-Koog Through the Ages - Tell Me a Story... About Eiderstedt!
© Oliver Franke
From a farming community to a popular vacation spot—the Tümlauer-Koog has changed quite a bit since its embankment was constructed in 1934! Let its residents tell you how their lives in the Tümlauer-Koog have changed!
Andresen Pub - Tell me a story... in Eiderstedt!
© TZSPO
Discover the oldest tavern on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein! Volker Andresen, the owner of the Wilhel m Andresen tavern, will guide you through the historic rooms of this historic thatched-roof house on the Katinger Watt.
lighthouse "Westerhever" - Tell Me a Story... About Eiderstedt!
© TZSPO
Come along on a visit to the lighthouse "Westerhever"! In the first episode, lighthouse guide Jürgen Birkigt will share the most important and fascinating facts about our peninsula’s landmark during a guided tour of the lighthouse!
Intro - Tell me something... About Eiderstedt!
© TZSPO
In the first few episodes, experience the "Tell Me Something... In Eiderstedt!" event series from the Eiderstedt Peninsula via our podcast—and look forward to many more stories from the North Sea coast!