Yerseke – mussel village on the Oosterschelde
On the Oosterschelde, where the best oysters and mussels in the Netherlands have been cultivated, auctioned and tasted for over a century and a half.
The mussel village on the Oosterschelde
Yerseke (in Zeeland “Yese”, pronounced “ierseke”) is located on the Oosterschelde on Zuid-Beveland, in the municipality of Reimerswaal in the province of Zeeland. With more than 7,000 inhabitants, it is a lively village that is connected to the sea like no other.
Yerseke is world famous for its mussel and oyster culture. Visitors come for fresh seafood in one of the many restaurants, for tours of the oyster pits, the marina and the Oosterschelde Museum, and for the vast nature of the Oosterschelde National Park.
Yerseke at Sea 2026
On Saturday, August 15, 2026, the maritime festival Yerseke at Sea returns for its third edition! This atmospheric annual event is completely dedicated to our rich fishing heritage. Enjoy fresh oysters, prepared mussels, and regional products right along the shores of the Oosterschelde. Amidst live performances by traditional shanty choirs, you can explore nautical market stalls and witness the true craftsmanship of Zeeland's shellfish culture. An unmissable culinary experience for all ages.
View the program
Looking for your Yerseke roots?
After 1870, Yerseke boomed so fast on oyster farming that it earned the nickname “the Zeeland Klondike”. When the oyster trade declined from 1885, many villagers emigrated to West Sayville, New York, to keep farming oysters there.
If your family history runs through Zeeland and Long Island, this village is where that story starts. Read the full account of the boom, the hardship it also brought, and the emigration wave it triggered.
Read the Zeeland Klondike story
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