Borkum: Nature, Lighthouses and Trails

Borkum combines protected coastal areas with lighthouses, maritime history and a variety of ways to explore the island on foot or by bike. To plan your trip, it helps to consider which places and activities match your interests.

Coast and protected areas

Borkum’s North Beach is the last remaining breeding area for Kentish plovers in Lower Saxony. Seasonal restrictions apply during the breeding season. The Hohe Riff is a marine area west of Borkum, with sandbanks and mudflats. The Seehundsbank, a natural, shifting sandbank, lies in its southern part. The Hohe Riff, including the Seehundsbank, is strictly protected as a quiet zone in Lower Saxony’s Wadden Sea National Park; access is prohibited there year-round. The information about the two areas therefore differs: at North Beach, the focus is on the seasonally protected breeding area, while at the Hohe Riff, access is prohibited year-round. Follow the current signs on site.

Getting there and finding your way

Borkum can be reached from the ferry ports of Emden and Eemshaven. The historic narrow-gauge railway connects Borkum Reede pier with the town centre along a seven-kilometre route. For planning your trip, both the ferry ports mentioned and the connection between the pier and the town centre are important points of reference. Check the transport operators’ latest information before travelling, as timetables may change.

Lighthouses and island history

The New Lighthouse has 308 steps leading to its observation platform. From there, the view extends across the island town of Borkum, the dune landscape, the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site and the open North Sea. The Electric Lighthouse is another landmark: it is 27 metres high and stands on the edge of the dunes south of the town centre. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there from the town centre. Its height, location and view each offer a different point of reference for including the lighthouses in your travel plans.

The Dykhus local history museum uses its exhibits and rooms to tell 300 years of maritime history and bring the island’s past to life. In the Whale Hall, visitors can see the skeleton of a sperm whale measuring 15 metres long and weighing 35 tonnes. The whale washed ashore on the Schleswig-Holstein coast in 1998. The museum thus connects the island’s history with a specific exhibit and its origins.

Trails and activities

For outdoor exercise, Borkum has a network of around 130 kilometres of cycling and hiking trails that also welcome joggers. Eight signposted Nordic walking routes are marked according to difficulty in blue, red or black. One longer route option is the Borkum section of the Dollard Route: it covers more than 22.2 kilometres from the harbour through natural areas, along the sea, through the island town and back to the harbour. These descriptions cover different options—a trail network for a variety of activities, marked routes and a designated section. Check local conditions before setting out on a route.

There are also activities on the water and in the mudflats, each with a different focus. Two local schools offer kitesurfing courses for beginners and advanced participants; participants can earn an internationally recognised kitesurfing licence. Courses and details may change, so it is advisable to check with the schools for the latest information. State-certified Borkum mudflat guides help visitors explore the mudflat landscape and learn about its wildlife from knowledgeable guides. Check current dates and providers for specific tours.

Other destinations round out the selection: the North Sea Aquarium Borkum displays marine animals from the waters around Borkum in 16 tanks, each with a different theme. The North Sea Climbing Park has a high ropes course with 60 stations and a 14-metre-high giant swing. The two descriptions highlight different features—the marine life in the aquarium tanks and the stations and swing at the climbing park.

Discover more destinations: Baltrum, Langeoog, Norderney, Juist, Wangerooge, Spiekeroog.

Back to the main travel overview: East Frisian Islands.