Your guide to travel to and between the Wadden Islands
The most important ferry services to the Dutch Wadden Islands are the connections from the mainland to the islands. There are several daily departures to all Wadden Islands.
In high season the number of departures increases. A boat trip to the Wadden Islands is an experience in itself. Especially at low tide you can admire the sandbanks in the Wadden Sea from the Boot. You often have a good chance of seeing seals in the distance. It is therefore nice to take binoculars with you!
In addition to the regular ferry services, you can sometimes opt for a water taxi or fast ferry. In addition, in the high season it is also possible to sail between the islands with small motor ships. We deal with 9 connections on FerryGoGo, which you can also find on our handy ferry map
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Travel tip: Leave your car behind
If you take the car with you on the ferry you sometimes have to pay a lot. In addition, the car is often not necessary on the Wadden Islands! Everything is easily accessible by bike, and a bike rental is always around the corner.
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Ferry to Texel
The largest Wadden Island is very easy to reach by ferry from the top of North Holland. The crossing is short and only takes 20 minutes. Texel is a popular destination, partly because of its good accessibility. You do not need to book the boat to Texel in advance. You can just drive there and join the back row of cars. In high season it can therefore sometimes take a little longer. More information and tips can be found on the information page about the boat to Texel.
North Holland ⇔ Texel
Den Helder-Texel
Ferry to Vlieland
The boat to Vlieland is a relatively longer crossing. The boat does not go in a straight line, but follows the fairway that winds between the sandbanks. The boat leaves from the Frisian town of Harlingen and it takes 1.5 hours. On the crossing to Vlieland you can also opt for an Express service. This boat only takes 45 minutes. You can usually not take a car with you on both ferries. Vlieland is a car-free island and you cannot drive a car there without a permit.
Harlingen-Vlieland
Ferry to Terschelling
The boat to Terschelling departs from Harlingen and largely shares the route with the ferry service to Vlieland. Harlingen – Terschelling is the longest crossing of all the Wadden Islands at two hours by boat. You can bring a car on the boat, but it is not very cheap. Many people rent bicycles that are ready when the boat arrives.
Harlingen-Terschelling
Ferry to Ameland
For many people it is a long drive to Holwerd, the departure port of the boat to Ameland. A big advantage is that the crossing does not take very long. It is possible to take a car on board.
Holwerd-Ameland
Ferry to Schiermonnikoog
You can take the regular ferry service (45 mins sailing time) or the fast service (20 mins sailing time) to Schiermonnikoog. The latter comes with some extra costs. Like Vlieland, Schiermonnikoog is a car-free island. You can therefore usually not take a car on the boat.
Lauwersoog-Schiermonnikoog
Ferries between the Wadden Islands
In addition to the larger ferry services, smaller boats also sail between the Wadden Islands. In high season it is possible to travel between all islands. Because the number of departures is very limited, it is a good idea to book in advance. You can find additional information per ferry service by viewing the crossings below.
If you want to experience several islands within one trip, you can choose to go wad hopping. Then you go by boat from island to island. This is, for example, very nice to combine with a cycling holiday.
About the Wadden Islands
The Wadden area has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2009, and not without reason. It houses a biological ecosystem that can only be found on the coastlines of the North Sea of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.
In The Netherlands you find five pearls wich offer an oasis of tranquillity and plenty of ambience.
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Ferry talk: Share your questions and opinions
Ask, answer, and explore ferry routes with the community's expertise!
Hi FerryGoGo! Nice website you have here 🙂
Do American tourists also visit the Wadden Islands? Or do they usually stick to Amsterdam and then travel onwards? Also IF i want to go there what would be the best island to go to?
Please let me know,
Missy Lois Travels