Yerseke: Oyster Culture and Local History

Oyster Farming and Boat Trips

Oesterij offers guided tours of its historic oyster beds year-round. During the tours, you can learn more about the history, farming, and processing of oysters. The tour covers topics ranging from the beds to oyster farming and processing, linking a specific place with the history of the oyster industry.

Another kind of excursion is the regular boat trips for individual visitors run by De Oestervisser. The oyster farmer mainly operates from Yerseke on the Oosterschelde. Trip dates may vary; if a boat trip is an essential part of your plans, check the current schedule with the provider. Oesterij focuses on the historic beds and oyster farming, while De Oestervisser offers boat trips.

Local History at the Oosterschelde Museum

The Oosterschelde Museum is dedicated to the history of Yerseke and the town’s fishing, mussel, and oyster culture. Its permanent exhibition shows how oysters were farmed in Zeeland in the past—a historical look at oyster farming. A separate section covers the sunken city of Reimerswaal. Archaeological finds, maps, and other remains are part of this exhibition theme. The museum thus brings together the history of Yerseke and that of a sunken city as distinct topics.

At the head of Yerseke’s harbor, the bronze statue of the Mosselman symbolizes the long tradition of mussel fishing. While the museum explores different aspects of local history and culture, the statue represents this particular aspect of mussel culture.

Landscape and Cycling Routes

In the Yerseke Moer, the landscape is shaped by the influence of the sea and human activity. Tidal creeks, watering holes, and Hollestellen lie within a rolling landscape. The different features show how both natural influences and human activity have contributed to the landscape.

A 20 km themed route in the Yerseke Moer connects a viewpoint, a birdwatching hide, information boards, and picnic areas. The cycling route brings together different points of interest: views, birdwatching, information, and places to picnic. The landscape and route features complement one another, so the experience is not limited to the route itself.

The Zilte Route is 51.4 km long and follows the saline waters of the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde. It invites cyclists to take a detour to the Oesterputten in Yerseke; the old oyster beds are now part of Zeeland’s cultural heritage. The routes differ clearly in length: the Zilte Route is more than twice as long as the 20 km themed route in the Yerseke Moer. Their stated focuses also differ: the themed route connects landscape features and visitor stops, while the Zilte Route follows the two waterways and leads to the cultural heritage of the Oesterputten.

Discover more destinations: Kruiningen, Rilland

Back to the main travel overview: Reimerswaal.