TheChain of the Frisian Islands follows the North Sea coast in a wide arc for around 400 kilometres, from the Netherlands via Germany to Denmark. The open sea laps at its outer edge, while the inner side lies on the coast.quiet Wadden Sea. Sand, salt and sun await those seeking relaxation. No wonder holidaymakers flock here from the mainland in summer. As far as leisure activities are concerned, there is plenty on offer - including for pleasure boaters.
The largest of the bunch is also its westernmost: Texel (pronounced "Tessel") measures just under 170 square kilometres and is therefore roughly the size of the Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn.
Oudeschild
From a skipper's point of view, the spacious marina in Oudeschild is a good argument for a visit: the Wadden Haven offers 220 moorings with electricity and water on modern floating jetties, which do not dry out even at low tide. If the harbour is nevertheless full (which happens regularly in summer), you can also use the neighbouring municipal harbour (which is otherwise reserved for commercial shipping). www.waddenhavens.nl
There is also a café-restaurant with a lovely terrace right by the harbour ( www.decompagnietexel.nl ) and a large children's playground. The town of Oudeschild itself offers excellent shopping facilities (Spar supermarket in Vlamkast, 1 km from the harbour) and a wide range of restaurants. If you don't have bicycles on board for exploring the island, you can hire them here (and book in advance); www.texel.net ). The Texelse Bierbrouwerij is located on the western outskirts of Oudeschild (on the signposted road towards Den Burg) and can also be visited. Among other things, the tasty light-coloured "Skuumkoppe" is produced here. www.texels.nl
t'Horntje
The island's ferry terminal is located around six kilometres southwest of Oudeschild at Dort t'Horntje. The shipping company "TESO" operates two large, modern double-ended ferries between Den Helder and Texel. The journey across the Marsdiep, which separates the island from the mainland, takes around 20 minutes. Pleasure boat skippers must leave enough space for the fast ships. www.teso.nl
Further west, beyond the Mookbai, lie the dune area De Geul and the sand plateau De Hors, over a kilometre wide, with the southern tip of Texel.
The castle
The administrative centre of Texel is Den Burg in the interior of the island, and there are many restaurants, cafés and shops, especially around the central Groeneplaats and Vismarkt. If you want to get to know a more authentic village, you should visit Den Hoorn, about five kilometres to the southwest. Here, too, you will find plenty of eateries between the church and old pilot houses.
National Park Duinen van Texel
The national park covers a wide, almost uninterrupted strip of landscape with dune belts, wetlands and forests along the west coast of the island. The flora and fauna is particularly rich in species: marsh heartleaf and dwarf small-leafed sprout in the sandy valleys, with spoonbills and herring gulls breeding in between. There are cycle paths and footpaths as well as viewpoints. http://www.npduinenvantexel.nl
Windmill "Het Noorden" from 1878 and the protected water areas of the bird resting area De Bol in the west
De Koog
If you don't want to miss out on the typical holiday atmosphere of a North Sea resort, you'll find it in De Koog in the west of the island. The centre with its long pedestrian zone is only separated from the beach by the dunes ( http://www.dekoogtexel.nl ). To the south is the ECOMARE nature and marine adventure centre with its interesting exhibition. http://www.ecomare.nl
Egg country
In the north of Texel near De Cocksdorp lies the so-called egg country. But where seagull eggs used to be collected - on the sandy northern tip of the island - there are now surfers, beach sailors and stunt kites. The lighthouse can be climbed.
Polders and Wadden Sea
The mudflats lie off the east coast near Oosterend, while the inland area behind the high dyke line consists of flat polders crossed by ditches. Many of the 13,000 island sheep can be found here. A beautiful contrast to the wind-dominated west of Texel.
