Seal Bank Walk Meeting Point, Sønderho

Where Fanø’s dunes meet the Wadden Sea

At the end of Sønderho Strandvej, the road simply runs out into sand, sky and the endless shallows of the Wadden Sea. This is the Seal Bank Walk Meeting Point, an informal gathering place marked less by buildings than by the crescent of dunes, the whisper of marram grass and the broad arc of beach opening southwest. You stand on the edge of a UNESCO-listed tidal landscape, where land and sea trade places twice a day. Around you, the southern tip of Fanø feels surprisingly remote. Low dunes soften the wind, while behind them lie heaths and meadows that once formed part of the island’s Atlantic Wall defences. Ahead, at low tide, a pale strip of distant sand hints at Galgerevet, the seal bank that has drawn walkers here for generations.

Gateway to Galgerevet’s seal colony

From this meeting point, guided seal walks set off across the dry seabed towards Galgerevet and the tidal channel of Galgedyb, home to one of Fanø’s largest seal congregations. At low tide, you can walk around 1.5 to 1.7 km out to the bank over firm sand and shallow puddles, following your guide’s route through the rippled mudflats. The walk itself is part of the experience: each step reveals worm tracks, tiny crabs and shell fragments that tell of the Wadden Sea’s rich productivity. Out near the bank, the landscape opens even wider. Between you and the seals, a tidal channel acts as a natural barrier, allowing you to watch the animals without disturbing them. Harbour seals lie scattered like pale stones along the sand, while bulkier grey seals occasionally raise their heads to inspect the visitors at a respectful distance.

Life of the seals on the shifting sands

The sandbanks off Sønderho are vital resting and breeding sites for seals that spend much of their lives hunting in the cold North Sea. In early summer, females haul out to give birth, nursing their pups on the dry banks before returning to the water to feed. Throughout the year, the banks serve as quiet haul-out sites where the animals can warm themselves in the sun, digest meals rich in fish and shellfish, and shed their coats during the annual moult. Guides here place strong emphasis on keeping a safe distance, letting the seals remain relaxed on the sand or curious in the water. You learn simple viewing rules that protect the animals: giving them space, staying clear of the water’s edge, and leaving any resting or stranded individuals undisturbed. This gentle approach turns a wildlife sighting into a lesson in coexistence.

Walking the tidal landscape under big skies

Even before you reach the seal bank, the tidal plain itself makes the outing memorable. The seabed is usually firm underfoot, but shallow channels and soft patches require attention and suitable footwear, especially in the colder months. On calm days, the mirror-like pools reflect clouds and passing flocks of waders; in windier weather, sand grains skitter across the flats and the sound of the surf carries from farther out. The view back towards Fanø shifts as the tide retreats and returns. The village of Sønderho sits low on the horizon, its church tower just visible beyond the dunes, while to the south and west the sandbanks and channels draw intricate patterns that change with every tide. It is a place where time feels pinned to the rhythm of the water rather than the clock.

Part of a living national park seascape

The Seal Bank Walk Meeting Point lies within the Wadden Sea National Park, one of Europe’s most important tidal ecosystems. Here, immense mudflats feed millions of migratory birds and sustain fish stocks that in turn support seals and porpoises. Standing on the sand, you are part of a constantly moving environment shaped by wind, currents and sediment. For many visitors, starting a walk here becomes an introduction to Fanø’s wider coastal world: from nearby dunes and viewpoints such as Mosedalsbjerg to the long beaches stretching north. Yet this simple meeting point remains special for its focus on a single, powerful experience—stepping out onto the seabed to share, for a short time, the realm of Denmark’s largest wild predators.