Dykhus Local History Museum

The Dykhus sits on a small mound just metres from the Old Lighthouse, in the historic whaling quarter of Borkum. Its name refers to the dike at whose foot it stands — one of the earliest dikes built on the island. Inside, the museum traces Borkum's history from its earliest settlement through the whaling era and into the modern age as a North Sea health resort.

The centrepiece is a complete sperm whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling — a powerful physical reminder of what brought wealth to this island for centuries. The museum also covers the island's position as a Nordseeheilbad (North Sea spa), with exhibits on the history of thalassotherapy and the development of Borkum's hotel infrastructure in the 19th century. Compact and well-curated, it's worth an hour of your time even if maritime history isn't your usual interest.

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A story
The museum's prize exhibit is a complete sperm whale skeleton — not a cast, but the actual bones of an animal that was once hunted by Borkum men on voyages to the Arctic and North Atlantic. At its peak in the 18th century, Borkum sent dozens of whaling ships north each summer, and the island's economy depended on the whale oil trade. The industry collapsed as whale populations crashed and petroleum replaced oil as a fuel source.