A shallow Danish coastal lagoon protected for its wetlands, dunes, and rich migratory birdlife.
Nissum Fjord
Nissum Fjord is a large, shallow brackish lagoon on the western coast of central Jutland in Denmark, separated from the North Sea by a narrow strip of dunes known as Bøvling Klit. The protected area extends across roughly 11,000 hectares and includes the lagoon itself, surrounding dune systems, meadows, heathland, small lakes, and the uninhabited island of Fjandø, making it one of the most significant wetland complexes in western Denmark.
The lagoon is divided into three basins of about 64 square kilometers in total, with an average depth of only one meter, creating an exceptionally productive environment for aquatic plants and waterbirds. Several streams, including Storå, Ramme Å, and Flynder Å, flow into the fjord, sustaining freshwater lake habitats inland such as Indfjorden, Byn, Søndersund, and Tang Sø.
The site is designated both as a Natura 2000 habitat area and a bird protection area, and is also recognized as a Ramsar wetland of international importance. It functions as a critical staging and breeding area for migratory waterbirds along Denmark's western flyway, and supports protected dune, heath, meadow, and lagoon habitats that together form a distinctive coastal landscape.
