In the summer, Heligoland has long been considered a paradise for sun lovers. However, this island of the North Sea is now developing into a winter vacation destination, offering more than a careless hut with alcohol and lobsters.
The cub of the gray seal resists Rolf Blädel’s attempt to attach the mark to his tail fin. In the end, a small predator in white fur escapes with a green number. Blädel, a retired police officer, takes care of seals and gray seals that come to Dine Heligoland. In winter, a small island, in the sight of high red sandstone cliffs of Heligoland, a nursery of the largest German predators.
Gray seal bulls weigh over 300 kilograms. Since animals do not see humans as a threat, they allow curious visitors to approach them. Just before Christmas, there were already almost 60 cubs. Almost every day these weeks, he led groups of visitors to the best places to ‘watch gray seals’ on the island. Tourism director Klaus Furtmeier has high expectations from gray seals. Winter is expected to be a strong pillar of tourism on Heligoland as the number of visitors declines in summer.
Nature lovers now travel from afar, armed with cameras, tripods and large telephoto lenses, to hunt for seals. Traveling to Helgoland, more than 50 kilometers from the coast, is easy – and yet it is not for everyone. Simply because, apart from flying, there is only one option in winter. The excursion departs from Cuxhaven at 10:30 am. The solid ship ‘Funny Girl’ swings, swings, swings and divides its passengers into two groups: some enjoy, others are a pain.
Camill Marca from Luxembourg has been traveling to Helgoland for more than 20 years. ‘I always come in winter. When you come now, it’s fantastic.’ The air is what draws Marco back for at least four days each year. ‘I’ve experienced many real storms here; almost blows you away.’ Anyone who wants to take a piece of Helgoland home with them will find it at Lilo Tadday. The photographer opens her studio in one of the lobster huts even in winter on demand.
In just a few square meters, you will find photos of the most beautiful places of Helgoland. The artist loves this time of year on the island: ‘No winter has ever been too long for me.’ A four-star hotel worth millions, having created a wellness center with a sauna and spa center, is already considering its next investments. ‘I had to decide,’ says the hotelier: or focus solely on the summer season, sell or invest heavily.
Rickmers believes in changes – from reducing day trips to relaxation and natural experiences. Hotelier is sure that this health trend opens up new future prospects for Helgoland.
Ambitious plans are discussed in the community: whether land between the dune and rocky island should be recultivated, or whether the South Peak, blown away at the end of World War II, should be rebuilt with a hotel and shops. ‘One of those two have to happen,’ says Rickmers.
After sailing Oberland with a view of Lummenfelsen (Lummen Rock) and the landmark Lange Anna, many winter tourists consider that the new recreation pool is exactly what they need. The old seawater pool has been transformed into ‘Mare Frisicum Spa Helgoland’. Each guest has enough space for spraying in warm sea water outdoors or indoors, relaxing in a hot tub on the upper deck overlooking the North Sea or sweating in the sauna.
Cover photo: Photo by Karlheinz_Eckhardt Eckhardt he unsplash
