East Frisian Islands

Situation and characteristics

The seven East Frisian islands of Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge, which extend in a chain between the Ems and Weser estuaries, are now popular seaside resorts. Cars are allowed only on Borkum and Norderney.

Borkum

Borkum, lying 12km/7.5mi off the coast (ferry service from Emden), is the most westerly and the largest of the East Frisian Islands (8km/5mi by 4km/2.5mi). At the west end is the town of Borkum, a seaside resort with a Kurhalle, a seafront promenade, two beaches (Nordstrand and Südstrand, part of which is a bird sanctuary), sea-water baths (artificial waves) and a 63m/207ft high lighthouse. In the eastern half of the island is the village of Ostend. There is a light railroad from the harbor to the town of Borkum. Lütje Hörn

To the east of Borkum is the Lütje Hörn sand bank (bird sanctuary).

Juist

East of Borkum is Juist (ferry from Norden-Norddeich), a long narrow island (17km/10.5mi long by up to 500m/550yds across) which is a popular holiday resort (no cars). The beautiful sandy beach on the north coast (Nordstrand) has a fringe of dunes. Half way along the south coast, the little town of Juist has a seafront promenade, a museum (shipping, fishing, natural history, prehistory and the early historical period) and an art gallery (temporary exhibitions).

Memmert

Off the west end of Juist is the island of Memmert (bird sanctuary).

Norderney

Norderney (ferry from Norden-Norddeich) is the largest of the East Frisian Islands after Borkum (14km/8.5mi long, up to 2km/1.25mi wide). It is the only island in the group with any great area of woodland (deciduous and coniferous). At the west end of the island lies the town of Norderney, the oldest seaside resort in Germany (founded 1797), with a beautiful Kurpark and sea-water pool (artificial waves). In the Argonnerwäldchen ("Little Argonne Forest") is a museum in a typical Norderney fisherman's house. There is a golf-course on the dunes.

Baltrum

Baltrum (ferry from Nessmersiel) is the smallest of the East Frisian Islands (6km/4mi long by up to 1.5km/1mi wide). It is a quiet and relaxing resort with a sea-water swimming pool (artificial waves).

Langeoog

Langeoog (ferry from Bensersiel) is 14km/8.5mi long by up to 2.5km/1.5mi wide. From the landing stage a light railroad runs to the resort of Langeoog (sea-water pool with artificial waves) at the west end of the island. Near the town is the new observation post of the German Sea Rescue Association.

Spiekeroog

The main feature of Spiekeroog (ferry from Neuharlingersiel) is a great expanse of dunes, partly covered by trees. In the eastern half of the island is a sandy beach more than 5km/3mi long and 2km/1.25mi wide, most of which has been formed only in the second half of this century - an illustration of the slow but steady eastward movement of all the East Frisian islands. The church (1696) in the little town of Spiekeroog contains fragments salvaged from one of the ships of the Spanish Armada which was wrecked off the island in 1588. The carriages of the light railroad which runs west from the town are once again drawn by horses as they were originally.

Wangerooge

Wangerooge (9km/6mi long by up to 1.5km/1mi wide; ferry from Harle) is the most easterly of the East Frisian Islands. The little town of Wangerooge, in the center of the island, is the second-oldest German North Sea resort, founded in 1804; the older town was destroyed by a storm tide in 1854. Features of interest are the Old Lighthouse (Heimatmuseum), the new lighthouse and the West Tower. To the west of the town, in the coastal dunes, is a heated open-air swimming pool (sea-water). At the west end of the island is a narrow-gauge railroad. Several bird sanctuaries.