sea
All you need to know about keeping safe while swimming this summer
We've skipped spring and gone straight to summer; as such you're probably ready to cool off with a swim in a Bad or a See. After over 400 people drowned last year, the German lifesaving society has come up with some swimming tips and has debunked some swimming myths.
Drownings rise sharply as refugees 'overestimate ability'
Already in 2016 more people have drowned in German waters than in the whole of 2015, with the German Lifeguard Service (DLRG) saying refugees are significantly over-represented in the figures.
100 years since Germany tried to break UK's grip on the seas
100 years ago on Tuesday, the British and German navies met in the biggest sea battle in history off the Danish coast – one which has become as controversial and hard to make sense of as the First World War itself.
German swims from Europe to Africa in under 3 hours
A young German woman has swum from Europe to Africa in a little under three hours, setting a new world record in the process.
Just 30 minutes on a refugee boat is terrifying
On Tuesday, German MPs, journalists and others took to the Spree river in a boat once used by refugees to get an idea of what dangerous Mediterranean crossings are like. The Local's Hannah Butler was amongst the boat's passengers - and was shocked by what she experienced.
Vacationer killed by Baltic Sea bacteria
Six people were infected with a bacteria from the Caribbean which has made itself at home in the popular German vacation destination. One of them is now in a coma.
Sandcastles verboten on German beach
Some beaches in Germany have stricter rules than expected: In Sylt sandcastles are completely forbidden and others have restrictions on height and width.
Third of species in German seas at risk
Ecologists have called for more marine nature protection zones, as nearly a third of fish and other sea species in German waters are now considered endangered.