The Frisian islands: Ameland and Schiermonnikoog

The "Waddeneilanden", the islands off the Frisian coast, provide wide panoramas of beaches, sand dunes, valleys and forests. These islands are ideal for walking and cycling. There are picturesque villages, holiday homes and camp sites. The Waddenzee, the sea separating the islands from the mainland , has been declared a nature reserve. The two eastern islands, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, are accessible witrh ferries from resp. Holwerd and Lauwersoog.

Ameland (It Amelân), the westernmost of the Frisian Waddeneilanden, is a little over 15 km long and has an area of 60 square kilometres. The northern coast has dunes and huge beaches. The dunes are mostly freely accessible, except the protected nature area "Het Oerd" that occupies most of the east of the island and has a large colony of seagulls. In the three villages of Hollum, Ballum and Nes (where the ferry docks) can be seen the houses that belonged to whaling captains and in Nes is a museum that highlights the nature around Ameland.

Schiermonnikoog (Skiermûntseach) is the easternmost and smallest of the Frisian islands, only 10 km long and 2 km wide. Its name derives from the "Schier" or grey-robed monks that used to live here in a monastery. No cars may be taken here. The island has large groves of fir trees and, especially in the east, vast sandy beaches that still grow under the influence of sea and wind. Most of the island is a wildlife reserve and a haven for many species of birds: gulls, terns and ducks, among others. During the time the birds incubate their eggs, these areas are closed for visitors.

	House on Ameland	Cycling on Ameland	Holiday homes, Ameland	Viewpoint, Ameland
	Houses on Ameland	Skateboarding, Nes	Schiermonnikoog	Homes, Schiermonnikoog
	House, Schiermonnikoog	Schiermonnikoog	Beach, Schiermonnikoog	Harbour, Schiermonnikoog

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