Schiermonnikoog and Terschelling Ferry

Ferries serve two of the Dutch Wadden Islands, Schiermonnikoog and Terschelling, and the crossing is itself part of the visit. The Wadden Sea is a shallow tidal sea between the mainland coast and the chain of islands, and it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list for its natural value. Sailing across it, you see mudflats, sandbanks, gulls and often seals, and the horizon is wide and open.

The route to Schiermonnikoog leaves from Lauwersoog, on the north coast of Groningen, and it is run by Wagenborg, a private shipping company that operates throughout the year. The crossing takes about forty-five minutes. Schiermonnikoog is the smallest of the inhabited Wadden Islands, and its name means the island of the grey monks, a reference to the Cistercian monks who once owned it. The island is a national park, and it is largely car-free, since visitors may not bring cars and residents are allowed only a small number, so you travel on foot or by bicycle and the air is clean and quiet.

Terschelling is reached from Harlingen, on the Frisian coast, by ferries operated by Rederij Doeksen. A conventional ferry takes around two hours, and a fast catamaran is quicker, so the choice depends on the schedule and the season. The ferry carries passengers, bicycles and cars, and it also serves the island of Vlieland, so the same terminal handles several routes. On Terschelling, West-Terschelling is the main village, with its famous lighthouse, the Brandaris, and the island offers beaches, dunes, forest and a lively cultural scene, including the Oerol festival in June.

Practical points matter. Book in advance for peak periods, since crossings can sell out in summer and at weekends, and arrive in good time, particularly if you take a car. Timetables depend on tides and the season, so check the current schedule. On the water it can be windy and cool, so bring a jacket, and bring seasickness remedies if you are prone to it, as the Wadden Sea can be choppy in strong wind.

The ferries suit anyone planning a stay on the islands. Pack light, as you will probably carry your luggage on a bicycle, and consider leaving your car on the mainland. The sights near the Terschelling terminal include the church of West-Terschelling, the Natuurhistorisch Museum and the Vuurboei Museum.