Netherlands: From Zeeland to the Waddenzee - from Texel back to the Oosterschelde

Oudeschild is the marina of the busiest West Frisian island: Texel. The villages are scattered here, and the beach is twelve kilometres by bike from the harbour.

Texel: very comfortable by bus

The Texelhopper is a more convenient option: the bus service runs from the ferry harbour in the south via Den Burg to De Koog on the west beach. There are also over 100 other stops for minibuses that come on call. The day ticket is affordable at eight euros.

There are options: to Den Burg for shopping, to De Koog for nightlife or to the lighthouse in Cocksdorp for the beautiful view across to Vlieland. In the 17th century, the East India ships of the VOC were moored here. Today, yachts are moored in the well-equipped marina, which was expanded a few years ago.

Seaward to Scheveningen

We set off for Scheveningen. The 61 nautical miles are a day's journey along the wind farms off Egmond and Katwijk. We pass the shooting range off Petten and enjoy the passing dune landscape in a north-westerly wind. After nine hours, we report to the harbour office by radio to enter the yacht club.

From our pre-booked table at the fantastic fish restaurant in the south-east of the harbour basin, we look out over the yachts. The southern section of the beach behind a new residential neighbourhood is the perfect backdrop for calendar page sunsets. The promenade north of the harbour, on the other hand, attracts the crowds with its Ferris wheel, casino, countless beach bars and stag and hen parties.

The Hague: the cosy Amsterdam

We do without and hop on the tram to The Hague. "Like a smaller, cosier version of Amsterdam," says the youngest crew member, and so the last day passes between the palace gardens, the Knights' Hall and a cup of tea in the proud Hotel Des Indes. We take the bus back to Yachtclub Scheveningen, which stops above the jetty where we are moored.

We start the final leg to Zeeland by capsizing the current on the North Sea. After two hours, we report to the Maas estuary pilots who, as always, guide us through the container giants and tankers heading for Rotterdam in a friendly and clear manner.

The Oosterschelde has us again

In the evening, the Oosterschelde has us back. We spend the last evening of the trip in Zierikzee - we find a place in one of the club's boxes directly behind the dyke gate and save ourselves the seven-pack lower down in the village. The next lunchtime, the lines are secure in Bruinisse and the neighbours on the jetty say hello. "So, been to Vlieland again?" - "Where else?".

Also interesting:

• Netherlands: Area update 2026 - What skippers need to know.
• Netherlands: Staande Mastroute 2026 not passable throughout.
• Netherlands: Sea rescue - What German skippers should know.