Holidays on Spiekeroog

Beach and swimming

The beach runs for more than 15 kilometres along the north side of the island and can be used all year round. At the main beach the DLRG lifeguards patrol a marked bathing area, usually from two hours before high tide. If the flag is flying, the area is guarded; a red flag means no swimming. Outside this area and the bathing times, swimming is highly dangerous.

Roofed wicker beach chairs (Strandkörbe) stand in the West, Centre, East and Dog sections. You can book them online or at the Kogge tourist information, and online is cheaper. There is a zone for kitesurfers in the west.

In the east lies the Ostplate, with broad sandy beaches and primary dunes. It makes up more than half of the island's area.

Sights

• Old island church: Built in 1696, the oldest island church in the East Frisian Islands.
• Museum horse-drawn tram: In season the historic horse-drawn tram runs from the old island station to Westend and the historic lifeboat shed. Ask on the island whether it is running.
• Drinkeldodenkarkhof: The “Cemetery of the Drowned” commemorates those who drowned in the wreck of the emigrant ship Johanne in 1854.
• Wittbülten national park centre: An exhibition on the Wadden Sea and the starting point for guided hikes.
• Island museum: Nature and island history, from shipping and sea rescue to the development of the seaside resort.
• Meerestied: The spa in the village has four saunas and a seawater pool. It is open all year, apart from a maintenance closure in January.

Activities

Mudflat hikes: Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park guides offer hikes for families with children aged three and over, longer tours and the crossing of the mudflats from Spiekeroog to Harlesiel. Never go onto the mudflats without a guide.

On foot: On Spiekeroog you get around without a bike. There is no bike hire, and many paths in the village and to the beach are closed to bicycles.

Sauna and swimming: The Meerestied DünenSpa has four saunas, including a panoramic dune sauna, and the InselBad has a seawater pool. There are evening sauna infusions on Tuesdays and Fridays and a women-only sauna during the day on Thursdays.

Stargazing: On guided stargazing walks you get to know the night sky above the island.

With children: Besides the family mudflat hike, there is riding on Icelandic horses. For a day trip with children there is a special family ticket.

Best time to go and climate

Spiekeroog has no weather station of its own. The long-term averages from the station on neighbouring Langeoog apply here too:

July and August are the months for swimming. High season runs from 15 March to 31 October. January is the quietest month: after the winter holidays many shops, restaurants and cafés close for a break, and the Meerestied shuts for maintenance. Life returns with the school half-term break at the end of January. The ferry runs all year.

Events

The International Jazz Festival takes place in spring. In autumn and winter, stargazing walks lead out under the island sky. Fireworks are allowed on New Year's Eve, but not many are set off.

Dogs on Spiekeroog

Dogs must be kept on a lead almost everywhere on the island. Your dog is not allowed on the main beach from 1 April to 31 October, and in winter only on a lead. In the east is the dog beach, with a large off-lead area but no toilets. Dogs must be kept on a lead at the beach chairs by the eastern access. Your dog needs its own ticket on the ferry and the WattnExpress, and is not allowed on the campsite.

Visitor's tax

You pay a visitor's tax for every overnight stay, at a reduced rate from 1 November to 14 March. Children are free until their 6th birthday. The tax gives you free use of the beach, including cleaning, foot-washing points and the DLRG lifeguards. Day visitors pay it too, on top of their ticket. How to pay, and what to know about luggage and accommodation, is on Where to stay on Spiekeroog.

Day trip from Neuharlingersiel

From Neuharlingersiel the island ferry takes 45 to 50 minutes and the WattnExpress around 20. Departures depend on the tides and change every day, and so does the time you have on the island. In summer and at weekends ferries are sometimes fully booked, so book online in advance. You leave your car for the day in the car parks at the harbour.

Timetable, prices and parking in Neuharlingersiel are on Ferry to Spiekeroog.