At the Visitor Center one can explore the permanent exposition that introduces the nature and history of Matsalu National Park as well as the Matsalu National Park's presentation program or videos. There are educational facilities in the premises of the Penijõe Manor. It includes a workshop room and classroom for conducting seminars and study days. The classroom can be used for organizing age-appropriate nature-science events. For large groups, please register in advance!
Matsalu National Park and its surrounding area offer many opportunities to relax and enjoy nature. It's possible to watch birds from observation towers, embark on hiking and study trails of varying length, or to go canoeing. More information about visitor sites can be found here.
Estonian bird rings bear the text ESTONIA MATSALU. Thus, the Matsalu ringing center is also coordinating the tagging of birds and bats throughout Estonia. Here you can find data about all the birds tagged in Estonia, as well as about the rings that have been found. A large proportion of birds are tagged in Kabli and Häädemeeste bird stations. Each year about 1,500 tagged birds are identified. The furthest that birds tagged in Estonia have been found is in South Africa.
Throughout history, the landscapes of Matsalu have been shaped by human activity. In ancient times, farmers and those raising livestock readily used dry land that emerged from the sea. Over the centuries, human activity has given rise to open cultural landscapes and meadows rich in species. Culture as a factor affecting people’s way of life also depends on the local natural conditions. Here, landscapes are enriched by old stone fences and low-lying farmhouses with thatched roofs made from reeds. Livelihoods come from fields, fishing, reed-gathering and crafts.
The landscapes of Matsalu National Park are very diverse. Matsalu is characterized by clear coastal areas, where people and nature have been acting side by side in balance for years. Because of that, it features some semi-natural communities that have almost disappeared in the rest of Europe. Matsalu is home to the largest broads in northern Europe, Europe's most extensive coastal grasslands and alvars, a typical sight in Western Estonia.
- The national park’s surface area is 48,860 ha.
- The national park is one of the most important nesting and stopover sites for waterfowl in Europe. Matsalu is a stopover site for over 2 million waterfowls, from which 230 000 stay for either shorter or longer period.
- Haeska has been acknowledged as the best birdwatching site in the Nordic Countries.