ENGELSMANPLAAT

Engelsmanplaat (in Frisian language; De Kalkman) is a huge sandbank that lies between Ameland and Schiermonnikoog about five kilometers away from the Frisian coast. The sandbar has an area of less than one square kilometer that almost completely floods at high tide. Only the Hiezel, a narrow ledge on the east coast of the plate, a few meters wide and tens of meters long, can remain dry at high tide. On the plate is a birdwatcher’s house and beacon. It is a resting place for birds, especially migratory birds. To the north of the birdwatcher’s house there is a beautiful reef with bright white sand beaches, called the Rif. 


There are three versions of the tour:

1. One-way birdwatcher’s house and Rif (9 km), followed by boat trip to Lauwersoog (1.5 hours sailing)

2. One-way birdwatcher’s house and Rif (12 km) (around wad west), followed by boat trip to Schiermonnikoog and by boat trip to Lauwersoog.

3. Return trip birdwatcher s house (14 km, about 4.5 hours) 


1. One way (+ boat)
At the start of the trip, some mud is encountered, but soon we walk over hard sandflats. Our goal is the birdwatcher’s house, followed by a visit to the Rif. The Rif acts as a breakwater for the waves from the North Sea and thus protects the Engelmansplaat. The sandbar of the Rif has raisedsea dunes which gives a beautiful difference in height to the landscape. After a nice walk around the Rif with beautiful views on Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, one is picked up by a boat and will bring you back to Lauwersoog.

Data
• Departure: Fishing port Lauwersoog; Parking in the Lauwersoog fishing harbor, quay next to the fish auction.
Address: Haven 16, 9976 VN Lauwersoog, (with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays, then it is only possible between 07:00-22:00). By bus to starting point.
• Distance: 9 kilometers
• Duration: 3 hours of walking plus 1.5 hours of sailing, ca 30 min by bus.
• Level of effort: Easy
• Price per person € 35,00

2. One-way trip (Wadden Sea boat to Schiermonnikoog and back by ferry)
The departure point is the Fishing port in Lauwersoog.
Our goal is the birdwatcher’s house, followed by a visit to the Rif. The Rif acts as a breakwater for the waves from the North Sea and thus protects the Engelsmanplaat. The sandbar of the Rif has raised sea dunes which gives a beautiful difference in height to the landscape. After a nice trip around the Rif with beautiful views on Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. You have the change to find shells along the North Sea beach. After that you will be picked up by a boat. An hour later, the boat will bring us to the Oude Wal at the South West tip of Schiermonnikoog. From there it is a five kilometer walk to the village. From here you can take a bus to the ferry terminal. The ferry sails us back to Lauwersoog where you will find your cars on the parking place.From here you can take a bus to the ferry terminal. The ferry sails us back to Lauwersoog where you will find your cars on the parking place.

Data
Saturday 07 July 2024 Engelmansplaat night trip Rondje Wad-West, (one-way Engelmansplaat/Rif/Schiermonnikoog) 02:30 am 

((See also Rondje Wad West)

• Departure: Fishing port Lauwersoog; Parking in the Lauwersoog fishing harbor, quay next to the fish auction.
Address: Haven 16, 9976 VN Lauwersoog, (with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays, then it is only possible between 07:00-22:00). By bus to starting point.
• Distance: 12 kilometers
• Duration:4 hours of walking 60 min by boat; 45 min ferry
• Level of effort: Easy
• Price per person € 40,00 (including bus to the starting point. Boat to Schiermonnikoog, transport on the island to the village and by ferry back to Lauwersoog). Transport to Schiermonnikoog from the village to the ferry is not included. 

3. Return trip (can be scheduled on request)
At the start of the trip we have to cross some mud, but soon we are hiking over hard sandflats. The goal is the birdwatcher’s house. We pass a creek with buoys, which also will be crossed on the way back. At the bird birdwatcher’s house we can take a break. Back on the mainland, we can visit a nearby terrace near the dike of Wierum.


Data/time

Saterday 25 May,     Engelsmanplaat return Nighttrip (full Moon) 03:30 am
Saterday 03 August, Engelsmanplaat return Nighttrip (full Moon) 01:40 am

 • Departure: Parking place between Nes and Wierum, Nesserwei. For trips with the Waddenvereniging, see departure place on the website of the Waddenvereniging, (press the blue link of the Waddenvereniging)

• Distance: 14 kilometers
• Duration: 4.5 hours
• Level of Effort: Average
• Price per person € 15,00

(See also Night tours)

Tours by appointment for a minimum number of participants (depending on the cost of the boat); for the two variants at least 30 persons.
A return trip is minimum 6 persons: date and time after consultation at aanvraag@vrijewadlopers.nl .