Situation and characteristics
The island of Hiddensee, lying off the west coast of Rügen like a protective breakwater, is 17km/10.5mi long from north to south, but never much more than 1km/0.75mi wide and at its narrowest point only 125m/135yds across, with a total area of 18.6sq.km/7sq.mi. Exposed as it is to the north and west winds,
Hiddensee is subject to the danger of violent storm tides.
Hiddensee is accessible only by boat from Stralsund or Rügen, and no motor vehicles are permitted. As a holiday resort it offers broad sandy beaches and plenty of good walking.