Almost the entire island of Schiermonnikoog is part of the national park; only the village and the polder lie outside it. The beach also defines the island: Schiermonnikoog has the widest beach in Europe, which is more than a kilometre wide in some places. Mudflats, dunes, woodland and the Westerplas lie side by side in a small area.
Mudflats, Beach and Birdlife
At low tide, a large part of the Wadden Sea south of Schiermonnikoog falls dry, revealing the mudflats. The island is also home to a diverse range of birds: many species are frequently found here in large numbers, and there are no land-based predators on the island. More than 200 pairs of spoonbills nest here every summer; numbers can vary by season. Spoonbills can often be seen from the bird hides at the Westerplas. More than 500 plant species grow on Schiermonnikoog in total.
Routes and Excursions
The 11-kilometre PolderPracht route runs through the Schiermonnikoog polder and can be covered on foot or by bicycle. Along the way, you pass farms, grassland and the Wadden Sea dike. Twelve corten steel posts stand along the route. Each one features a bird; the posts describe local bird species and measures to improve their habitats.
You can also explore a route to the island’s highlights on foot or by bicycle. Among other places, it passes the lighthouse, the beacon and a bird hide. Poems in Schiermonnikoog’s original dialect can also be found at nine locations across the island. If you want to seek them out, check the route’s availability in advance.
Guided nature excursions are offered on Schiermonnikoog in every season. These include birdwatching excursions with binoculars provided and mudflat walks with boots provided. Check the latest dates and equipment details before your trip.
Island History and Culture
The Roman Catholic Sint-Egbert Church was built in 1915 and is a Rijksmonument of general cultural and architectural-historical importance. The Sint-Egbert Chapel was consecrated that same year and is considered the northernmost church in the Netherlands. The Eendenkooi duck decoy near Kooiplaats has been in existence since 1861; it was restored in 1989 by Natuurmonumenten and Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog.
Traces of the Atlantic Wall are also part of the island’s history. Schlei was a bunker village, comprising radar installations, barracks and anti-aircraft guns. The Schlei Bunker Museum is housed in an authentic Seeburg bunker on the cycle path southwest of the De Marlijn beach pavilion. The museum organises guided tours and lectures.
The Koningshuis features an exhibition on various aspects of Schiermonnikoog’s cultural history. Volunteers guide visitors around the house, share stories and answer questions. At the Paal 14 Shell Museum, you can learn about the world of molluscs and see unusual beach finds; check opening hours before your visit.
The white Zuidertoren lighthouse stands among the dunes just outside the village. When its function as a lighthouse became obsolete, it was designated a water tower. Wassermann is a Second World War Atlantic Wall bunker that has been set up as a viewpoint.
Visitor Information
Since May 2021, Natuurmonumenten and VVV Schiermonnikoog have been based together at the Het Baken information centre. It serves as a starting point for a visit to the island and features an interactive exhibition about the nature of Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog and the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site. Check the latest opening hours and visitor information before your trip.
A Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten ferry runs daily between Lauwersoog and Schiermonnikoog; the crossing takes about 45 minutes. Timetables and booking rules can change, so check the latest information before travelling. Allow about two hours for a cultural and historical walking tour of the village; it takes you through “us Lytje Pôle”.
Discover more destinations: Schiermonnikoog, Heerenveen, Skarsterlân, Smallingerland, Vlieland, Weststellingwerf, Dongeradeel, De Friese Meren.
Back to the main travel overview: Friesland.
