Schiermonnikoog
Photos from Google
With 971 residents, this is the smallest municipality in the Netherlands by population, and the one with the lowest population density. The island belongs to Friesland and is the fifth inhabited Wadden island counting from the west. Visitors' cars stay on the mainland: anyone heading for the beach arrives by boat from Lauwersoog.
- Beach clubs
- 3
- Avg. rating
- 4.2 / 5
The beach lies on the north side of the island and is, in places, kilometres wide. Between the village and the sea you'll find dunes, salt marshes and a broad path. The distance to the waterline is considerable, which creates space at low tide. Three beach clubs serve visitors, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5. The offering ranges from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner.
The atmosphere is calm and geared towards families, with carefully prepared food at the beach clubs. The island has no busy promenade; it runs from the landing stage through the village to the beach. Anyone who comes here counts on the distance to the mainland and the quiet that comes with it. The boat and the walk or cycle ride to the beach are all part of the visit.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs. The rules on the beach itself follow fixed arrangements that vary by zone; these are described further down. A dinner by the sea, a lunch with a view or a corporate outing are all possible, and the island also has room for a wedding venue.
You cannot reach Schiermonnikoog by car from the beach. The nearest station is Groningen; from there you travel on to the ferry port at Lauwersoog. Lauwersoog is 10 kilometres away, the neighbouring island of Ameland just over 25 kilometres, and Terschelling just over 58 kilometres. For parking on the mainland, please see the parking overview on this page.
Anyone heading to the beach does so on foot or by bicycle. The broad beach and the dunes give the island its character, and the three beach clubs are the established spots to eat and drink. The island suits a day trip or a longer stay, with a quiet rhythm that differs from the busier coastal towns on the mainland.
Great for
The beach is broad in many places and slopes gently, with plenty of space at low tide. The three beach clubs are family-friendly and serve breakfast, brunch and lunch as well as dinner. The distance to the water calls for a walk from the village; count on a short trip on foot or by bicycle.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs on the island. On the beach east of beach marker post 2, dogs may run off the lead all year round. On the rest of the island dogs must be kept on a lead, so plan your route accordingly.
At the beach clubs you can enjoy dinner with a view over the beach. The atmosphere is calm and the food carefully prepared. Thanks to the distance from the mainland, the evenings here are quiet, which suits a dinner for two.
For lunch you can head to the three beach clubs, which also serve brunch. The view stretches across the broad beach towards the North Sea. After a walk through the dunes, a lunch stop here is a natural break.
A corporate outing is possible at the beach clubs on the island. The combination of boat trip, beach and food lends itself to a full day's programme. Match your travel plans to the ferry services from Lauwersoog.
In rain or wind, the beach clubs offer a place indoors to eat and drink. The offering ranges from breakfast to dinner. The island itself also lends itself to a walk in waterproofs; the dunes break the wind.
In the summer season the island draws day trippers and guests who stay longer, but the crowds remain limited by the number of available crossings and the absence of visitors' cars. The beach is wide enough to spread out any crowds.
The breeding season runs from 15 April to 15 July. During this period extra rules apply for dogs around the meadows and on the Waddendijk, and some breeding areas are closed off. Keep this in mind when planning a walk.
Outside the season the island grows quiet. The wind and the tide then largely determine the character of a day on the beach. Anyone who visits outside summer finds an emptier island and a more spacious beach.
For the current opening hours of the beach clubs and the ferry timetable, we recommend checking in advance, as both vary by season. Match your outward and return journey to the last departure from Lauwersoog.
Parking
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Last updated: 23 June 2026