The East Frisian islands of Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge lie like a string of pearls off the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony. What unites them is that they belong to one of the world’s most valuable natural treasures: the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wadden Sea. It forms the largest contiguous mudflat and sandflat area in the world with over 10,000 animal and plant species and up to 12 million migratory birds per year. Although located in the north, the islands are called E A S T Frisian Islands. This is because, seen from Friesland in the Netherlands, they lie to the east. N O R T H Frisian Islands, on the other hand, are the islands off the coast of Schleswig-Hostein, including Sylt, Amrum and Föhr.
A holiday on the East Frisian Islands begins with the ferry crossing to the island of your choice. The fresh air and the vastness of the sea set the mood for what many travellers seek and find on the islands: Distance from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Life on the mostly car-free islands is quiet. Instead of taxis and buses, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are waiting here. Or you can walk.
Wellness on the North Sea
Mudflat hikes, cycling tours, overnight stays under the open sky – the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea can be enjoyed in a special and varied way on the East Frisian Islands. The direct proximity to the ocean and the stimulating climate of the North Sea also offer the ideal environment for a special form of wellness: Thalasso. It plays a central role on all the islands. The ancient Greek word stands for the healing power of the sea and refers to treatment with marine products to support health and beauty. Thalasso is both wellness and a medical treatment. As a certified Thalasso region, the entire island family offers various treatments that combine the Thalasso elements of seawater, mud, algae, salt and the healing sea climate. Thalasso treatments can be mud and algae packs or inhalations, drinking cures and special baths. Even those who do not use a treatment can enjoy Thalasso: just breathing in the fresh sea air is enough.
Paradise for water sports enthusiasts
The islands are paradise for water sports enthusiasts. From windsurfing and kitesurfing to stand-up paddling, kayaking or sailing - the offer is diverse. This is one of the reasons why the islands are among the most popular holiday regions in Germany. Nevertheless, each island has its very own character and focus.
Borkum
Borkum is the largest of the seven East Frisian islands and is located about 30 kilometres from the coast in an offshore climate. The air, which is low in pollen and high in iodine, is ideal for allergy sufferers. Sports and culture enthusiasts also get their money's worth here.
Juist
At 17 kilometres, Juist is the longest of the East Frisian islands. Here, deceleration reigns, far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Töwerland - magic land, as the islanders affectionately call their island - enchants with peace and relaxation.
Norderney
The island is home to the largest Thalasso house in Europe, the bade:haus, stretching out across 8,000 square metres. It is surrounded by dunes and salt marshes just 200 metres from the beach. The Bauhaus-style building houses the popular family swimming area, a high-quality SPA area with numerous seawater baths as well as various saunas. Guests enjoy Thalasso and wellness treatments such as massages and mud packs in a floating lounge. Those who want to end a wellness day in a particularly decelerated way can at the bade:haus overnight.
Baltrum
The smallest East Frisian island has only 500 inhabitants. Due to its size and short distances, a holiday on the car-free island is ideal for young families and older people. All the sights and excursion destinations are never far from the hotel or holiday flat and can be easily reached on foot.
Langeoog
The real East Frisian tea is available here as Faitrade tea, as is coffee and much more, because Langeoog is the first German Fairtrade island. The island with its 14-kilometre-long sandy beach invites you to walk, swim and build sandcastles, as well as to go horseback riding, play beach volleyball and badminton.
Spiekeroog
Holidaymakers will find relaxation and deceleration in the "InselBad & DünenSpa", with swimming pool, sauna area, wellness and Thalasso treatments. The Spiekeroog horse-drawn tram is probably the most unusual, but also the most interesting way to discover Spiekeroog. The little train takes you across meadows, through dunes and small woods. Spiekeroog offers a wide variety of sports - from football, basketball and badminton to pilates and yoga. The idyllic island village on Spiekeroog offers numerous cafés and restaurants.
Wangerooge
The easternmost of the seven East Frisian islands is barely 8 square-kilometres in size. Here, deceleration already begins during the idyllic ride on the island train from the ship's pier through the salt marshes to the island village. There is plenty to discover on the car-free island, for example lighthouses, lookout points and a variety of experiences around the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadden Sea. Thanks to its size, no path is too far on the car-free island. You can reach all the important points within a ten-minute walk.
HOW TO GET THERE
Depending on the destination island, you can reach the ferry ports “Emden Außenhafen”, “Norden”, “Norddeich Mole”, or “Sande” by train or by car via the A1, A7, A28, A29 and A31 motorways. As some islands can only be reached by ferry once a day due to tidal dependency, it is also possible to travel by plane. The nearest international airports are in Bremen, Hamburg and Amsterdam. The islands are also served by numerous regional airports.
Don't forget: With the exception of Borkum and Norderney, there is a strict ban on cars on all islands.
Practical: parking spaces and garages are available on the mainland directly at the ferry ports.
COVID – WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
In order to travel to one of the islands, guests must present vaccination documentation, proof of recovery or a negative test result (PCR or rapid antigen test), which must not be older than 24 hours. This does not apply to children under 15 years of age. The test should be carried out before boarding the means of transport to the island.
On the islands, a total of at least 2 Covid tests per week must be presented (even under an incidence of 35!). Proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result must also be provided when using the catering facilities, visiting swimming pools and retail outlets. (Status 18 June)
Article: Marc Klinke, Head of Marketing Ostfriesische Inseln GmbH