Lauwersoog is a place situated on the Lauwersmeer and the Wadden Sea. It boasts a large fishing harbor, and it’s also where the ferry to Schiermonnikoog departs. There’s always something to do in Lauwersoog—you can explore the mudflats, venture into the forest, or enjoy activities on the lake. What will you do in Lauwersoog? Here are three tips for activities in and around Lauwersoog.
Tip 1: Explore the Wadden Sea!
From Lauwersoog, you can discover the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Wadden Sea, in various ways. You can go mudflat hiking, take an educational boat tour, enjoy a ride on a fast boat, or make the crossing to Schiermonnikoog.
Mudflat hiking from Lauwersoog
There are several mudflat hiking routes starting from Lauwersoog. You can walk to Schiermonnikoog via Brakzand, to the largest sandbank Engelsmanplaat, or to the Weststrand of Schiermonnikoog. Various providers offer these tours. Check out Wadloopcentrum Pieterburen or Dijkstra Wadlopen for current information.
Boat tours from Lauwersoog
Lauwersoog harbor is bustling with boats, many of them fishing trawlers but also quite a few excursion boats. You can take a boat to see the seals, sail on a clipper, or enjoy an educational day trip to Schiermonnikoog with the whole family.
Here are some websites for boat trips on the Wadden Sea:
- Beleef Lauwersoog – Fast boat tours. Website
- Wadop – Small-scale boat trips for up to 40 people. Website
- MS Noordster – Tours on the eastern Wadden Sea. Website
- Varenophetwad.nl – Tours and Wadden expeditions for all ages. Website
- Waddenschipper.com – Mudflat hiking, beach walks, seal tours, and crossings. Website
- Sportvisserij Dageraad and MS Tender – Sport fishing on the North Sea. Website
Renting a boat in Lauwersoog:
If you want to explore the Wadden Sea with your own boat, you can rent a flat-bottomed boat from us. Within half an hour, you can sail through the lock at Lauwersoog. From there, the Wadden Sea is at your fingertips. You can go mudflat hiking, visit islands, watch seals, and above all, enjoy the experience.
Boat to Schiermonnikoog:
From Lauwersoog, you can take the ferry to Schiermonnikoog. You have the option of taking the regular ferry service or the fast service. The regular ferry takes 45 minutes each way, while the fast service takes only 20 minutes. Both services operate five times a day. If you need to travel to Schiermonnikoog at other times, you can take the water taxi operated by BMS.
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Tip 2: Explore the Nature!
In addition to the water, Lauwersoog is situated right in the middle of the Lauwersmeer National Park. On the outskirts of Lauwersoog, you’ll find forests with various hiking routes ranging from 1.5 km to 10 km.
Hiking Routes in Lauwersoog
Lauwersoog offers beautiful hiking opportunities with eleven designated routes by Staatsbosbeheer (Dutch Forestry Commission), ranging from 1.5 to 10 kilometers. Most routes are marked with colored poles, guiding you through the most stunning areas of the park.
Most of these routes start near the Lauwersnest, an activity center and ideal starting point to explore the National Park.
There’s a special bird-spotting route where you can listen to the Bird Spotcast, featuring Arjan and Gisbert guiding you through the bird paradise. You can find the route they discuss in their podcast on the map above.
Additionally, there’s a gnome path for small children, a nature path for the whole family, a bird experience path, and for the enthusiasts, a round around the Lauwersmeer. During weekends, you can also explore the Marnewaard military training ground.
Tip 3: Head Out onto the Lake!
The Lauwersmeer is a fantastic place to be. You can go boating, sailing, surfing, and swimming. If you want more tips about the Lauwersmeer, read our blog with tips about the Lauwersmeer.
Boat Rental in Lauwersoog
Looking for boat rental near Lauwersoog? Come rent a boat from Varen met Sil. We offer classic sloops for a day on the lake. Additionally, you can rent a motorboat or flat-bottomed boat for a longer period.
These were our three tips for activities in and around Lauwersoog. We hope this inspires you to come and enjoy the beautiful nature here.