Five islands form the chain of West Frisian Islands off the Dutch North Sea coast: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. They are larger than the East Frisian Islands and the Wadden Sea is more extensive. In addition, the waterways from the IJsselmeer to Vlieland and Terschelling are wide and deep.
The area is also ideal for a small cruise in the right conditions. The chain of islands acts like a bulwark to keep out the swell of the North Sea. And once you have familiarised yourself with the rules of high and low tide, navigating the tidal area can be great fun. The mudflat fairways are marked and the Wadden Highs can be crossed in a relaxed manner with flat-bottomed boats.
When cruising in the area, you should plan enough time to explore the five islands; each one would be worth a holiday in itself. However, they can also be discovered quickly on board or by hire bike.
To make the leap from the easternmost island - Schiermonnikoog - over to Germany while sailing from west to east, a detour through the Dutch inland is a good idea. You can lock in at Lauwersoog, then sail across the Lauwersmeer and finally glide past windmills and pastures on winding canals.
The journey through Groningen with over a dozen bridges is an experience - you could stay longer here too. Finally, the Eems Canal leads straight on towards Delfzijl and the Ems.
From here it would have been tempting to head for the East Frisian Islands from Borkum to Wangerooge, but our crew was thwarted by the first autumn storm on our trip in September.
You can read the report on the almost three-week trip from the IJsselmeer via the Waddenzee and Staande Mastroute to Norddeich in East Frisia in YACHT 12/2021. DK-Shop (click here) or you can download the travel report directly via the link below.
