Schiermonnikoog
Photos from Google
With 971 inhabitants, 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: if you want to reach the beach, you come by boat from Lauwersoog.
The beach lies on the north side of the island and is kilometres wide in places. 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. What's on offer ranges from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner.
The atmosphere is calm and geared towards families, with well-prepared food at the beach clubs. The island has no busy promenade; the route runs from the landing stage through the village to the beach. Those who come here count on the distance from the mainland and the quiet that comes with it. The boat trip and the walk or cycle ride to the beach are part of the experience.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs. The rules on the beach itself follow fixed arrangements that differ by zone; these are described further down. A dinner by the sea, a lunch with a view or a corporate outing is 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, just over 41 kilometres away; from there you travel on to the ferry port in 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.
If you want to reach the beach, you do so on foot or by bike. The broad beach and the dunes give the island its character, and the three beach clubs are the established places to eat and drink. The island suits a day trip or a longer stay, with a calm rhythm that differs from the busier coastal towns on the mainland.
Great for
The beach is broad in many spots and slopes gently, with plenty of space at low tide. The three beach clubs are family-friendly and serve not only dinner but also breakfast, brunch and lunch. The distance to the water calls for a walk from the village; expect a short trip on foot or by bike.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs on the island. On the beach east of beach marker post 2, your dog may run off the lead all year round. Across the rest of the island a lead is required, 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 well prepared. Thanks to the distance from the mainland, it's quiet here in the evening, 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. What's on offer runs 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 the 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. Bear this in mind when planning a walk.
Outside the season, the island grows quiet. The wind and the tide then largely shape the character of a day at the beach. Those who come outside summer find 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