The North Sea wind whips across the Belgian coast as families gather at Seafront Zeebrugge, a maritime amusement park where land and sea meet in a celebration of coastal life. Aquariums display the creatures that live beneath the waves, from North Sea crabs to tropical fish that have travelled thousands of miles in cargo ships. A small marine rescue centre rehabilitates seals found injured along the coast, releasing them back into the wild when they are strong enough. Boat tours depart from the adjacent harbour, carrying passengers through one of Europe busiest ports for a close-up view of container ships.
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Seafront Zeebrugge is a marine amusement park in the town of Zeebrugge. It is located on the Belgian North Sea coast, about 110 km northwest of the capital city of Brussels. Amusement park is situated close to the port at the former fish market. The exhibition is divided into three parts.
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\nPhoto licensed under the Creative Commons, created by daniel.herding
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The Three Exhibitions of Seafront Zeebrugge
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Maritime theme park
\nThe first exhibition called Maritime theme park is located in buildings of the former fish market. This exhibition is interactive and can be divided into several parts: Bruges and the sea, military-Zeebrugge harbor, fishermen earlier and now, the International port Zeebrugge or Pirate Paradise. Here you can take a closer look at the Zeebrugge port, its history and present, or at a hard life of fishermen and through the film into the depths of the sea. Each section uses hands-on displays, multimedia presentations, and authentic artefacts to bring the maritime story to life. The Bruges and the sea section traces the historic canal that once connected the medieval trading hub to the North Sea, while the Pirate Paradise area delights younger visitors with treasure hunts and costume play.
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Lightship West-Hinder II
\nThe second exposure of Seafront Zeebrugge is Lightship West-Hinder II. It is the ship, which until recently served as navigation and was moored at a position at sea to mark the coast near the town of Nieuwpoort. You can walk through it, touch and learn more about the role of beacon ships. Lightships were a vital part of maritime navigation before modern GPS systems, and the West-Hinder II served from 1950 until 2003. Visitors can explore the captain cabin, the engine room, and the wireless communication equipment that kept the crew in contact with passing vessels. The ship was stationed in some of the most dangerous waters of the North Sea, warning other ships of shifting sandbanks and shallow waters.
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The Russian submarine Foxtrot
\nThe third exhibition is The Russian submarine Foxtrot. Submarines of this type were used until 1994. During your visit you will learn how is the life in such submarine when it is filled up with 75 crew members. The Foxtrot-class submarines were built in the Soviet Union between 1958 and 1976 and served with the navies of the Warsaw Pact countries. This particular vessel, originally commissioned by the Soviet Navy, now serves as a museum ship. Visitors can climb down through the narrow hatches, see the cramped sleeping quarters, the tiny galley where meals were prepared, and the control room with its original instruments.
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Planning Your Visit and Nearby Attractions
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Seafront Zeebrugge theme park is open every day from 10am to 6pm and in July and August to 7pm. Keep in mind that the tour of all three parts of the Seafront Zeebrugge takes about two hours. You can buy tickets up to one hour before closing time. Children up to one meter in height, accompanied by parents, have free entry. Children to 12 years pay 8.50 euros, and adults 10.50 euros. Special rates apply for the groups and Seafront Zeebrugge offers many other additional programs for schools and companies. The nearest tram stop is Zeebrugge Kerk. Parking is free right at Seafront Zeebrugge. For further information, visit the official site of Seafront Zeebrugge.
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Beyond the park itself, the town of Zeebrugge offers an interesting day out. The beach is wide and sandy, with dunes protected as a nature reserve. The nearby city of Bruges, with its medieval canals, chocolate shops, and belfry tower, is just 15 minutes away by train. Many visitors combine a morning at Seafront Zeebrugge with an afternoon exploring the UNESCO World heritage centre of Bruges. The port area itself has several viewing points where you can watch massive container ships being guided into dock by tugs, a fascinating sight for maritime enthusiasts. During the summer months, boat tours depart from the harbour, offering a 45-minute cruise that takes in the port facilities, the offshore wind farm, and the coastline.
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View Seafront Zeebrugge – a maritime amusement park in Belgium in a larger map
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Do you prefer the natural coastline or the maritime attractions of Belgium seaside? ⚓
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