Surfing, sailing, angling, kiteboarding, diving or water-skiing – Niedersachsen’s lakes offer maritime flair and innumerable opportunities for holidays by or in the water. Some bodies of water are large enough to be called seas – such as North Germany’s largest inland water, the Steinhuder Sea. In the smaller ponds and bathing lakes, you will find idyllic spots for a leap into the cool depths. Dive into the waterscapes of Niedersachsen’s realm of water.

Steinhuder Sea

The Steinhuder Sea is, at around 30 km² in size, the largest inland water in North-West Germany. The lake averages just 1.5 m in depth and is famous for its eels – you can found smoked eel specialities in many local eating places.

The magical attraction of water together with the opportunity to go angling, swimming, sailing, surfing or to take a boat trip attracts many visitors, particular in the summer months. The beach by the White Dune on the North bank and the bathing island on the south bank are starting points for bathers and sun-seekers. But the landscape has much more to offer than just sea. Extensive moorland areas, broad "Geest" sandy moorland ridges, grassland, woods, the northern fingers of the central mountain range and the neighbouring river valleys invite you to explore the Steinhuder Sea nature park.

• http://www.naturpark-steinhuder-meer.de (German)
• http://www.steinhuder-meer.de (German)

Lake Dümmer

The 16 km² Lake Dümmer is Niedersachsen’s second largest inland water. Dümmer Nature Park offers peaceful and diverse opportunities for relaxation all year round, particularly for walkers and cyclists. Of particular interest are the 18 kilometre long Dümmer way, which circumnavigates the lake on the Dümmer dike, and the footpaths and nature trails in neighbouring Ochsenmoor. The lake is of course also a superb area for water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, rowing and canoeing. In winter, it's ice-sailing and skating on the frozen lake surface that make the running.

• http://www.duemmer.de (German)

Zwischenahner Sea

The Zwischenahner Sea is also known as the “pearl of Ammerland”. Set in a beautiful landscape, Niedersachsen’s third largest inland lake is a popular destination for water sports and relaxation. For reasons of nature conservation and to avoid disturbing visitors, there is a complete ban on motorboats on the lake. There are fabulous legends concerning the lakes origins, but scientists have traced its origins back to the collapse of an underground salt dome. Salt features are one of Niedersachsen’s characteristic ground features – millions of years ago, North Germany was an isolated sea basin, the waters of which evaporated in the warm climate.

• http://www.bad-zwischenahn.de (German)

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