Kattendijke: Diving, Routes and History

When choosing a place to stay, Kattendijke brings together several themes: diving, routes through the landscape and historic buildings. Dive sites between Wemeldinge and Kattendijke are known for their lush and diverse underwater life. There is also a dive site with a sanitary facility and steps, a tidal landscape, and routes with different starting points and itineraries. When planning your hotel and trip, you can decide whether underwater life, the routes or Kattendijke’s history should take centre stage.

Underwater Life and Dive Site

The dive site in Kattendijke has a sanitary facility with showers, toilets and sinks. Sturdy steps have been installed on the waterside, allowing divers to enter and exit the water more safely. The diverse underwater life shapes the character of the dive sites between Wemeldinge and Kattendijke, while the steps and sanitary facility are specific amenities at the dive site. Check the condition of the facilities before you arrive, and check the conditions before diving. Diving conditions may vary.

Tidal Landscape and Habitats

The Kattendijkse Plaat is a tidal mudflat area with young salt marshes. The creek area of the Deesche Watergang provides feeding and breeding grounds for numerous water and meadow birds; the birds are present seasonally. The Deesche Watergang itself is a creek formed by the storm surge of 1134. Thus, tidal flats, a water-rich habitat and a distinctive landscape history are different aspects of the area.

The Hollestellepad also crosses land that was painstakingly reclaimed from the sea. The route therefore passes through a landscape whose present-day form was shaped by the work of reclaiming land from the sea. For orientation, views of the salt marshes and creek area complement the history of the reclaimed land.

Church, Tower and Medieval Traces

Kattendijke’s church was originally built in the early 15th century. Its octagonal tower, topped with a pear-shaped finial, dates from 1640. These dates distinguish the church’s early construction from the later date of the tower. Monnikenhof preserves the remains of a monastic outlying farmstead, an outer court belonging to a medieval monastery.

The history of the dikes is also part of the local landscape: around 1190, a large dike, probably built by Cistercians from Ter Doest Abbey in Flanders, protected Kattendijke and its surroundings. Together, these offer different historical points of interest—from the church building and monastic remains to the presumed protection provided by the dike.

Cycling Route and Other Tours

The Goes–Kloetinge–Kattendijke cycling route is 20 kilometres long. It runs along the Oude Zeedijk, follows the Deessche Watergang and leads to Kattendijke’s church. Check for possible diversions before setting off. The Oosterschengeroute starts at the intersection of Oude Zeedijk and Dorpsstraat in Kattendijke; check its route details before your trip as well. Stage 16 of the Oosterscheldepad passes through Kattendijke.

The Slikkentocht Kattendijkse Plaat is a guided walk across the bed of the Oosterschelde. Check the specific dates and booking conditions before planning. The details offer different guidance for your choice: the cycling route has a stated length and itinerary, the Oosterschengeroute has a stated starting point, the Oosterscheldepad passes through Kattendijke, and the Slikkentocht is guided.

Discover more destinations: Goes, 's-Heer Hendrikskinderen, Kloetinge, Wolphaartsdijk.

Return to the main travel overview: Goes.