The island has a special devision in habitats between the North Sea side and the Wadden side. The slighly more sheltered Wadden side, with its salt marshes and mud flats, offers a nourishing environment to many species of birds, fish and other marine life.
For bird enthusiasts the island offers plenty of possibilities to study bird in their natural environment. The North Sea side with its long uncrowded beach is perfectly suited for a beach walk in the evening, offering the beautiful spectacle of the sea and the beach coloring golden in the setting sun.
A nice refreshment in the beachcafe “Het Badhuys” will make your holiday complete. Though a sea climate, the Wadden isles often have better weather than the rest of the Netherlands. Rain showers tend to move quickly past the island to the mainland so extended periods of rain are not so common. Temperatures generally stay comfortable in summer reaching a maximum of 25-30 degrees Celsius. Vlieland has very little light pollution, and on a clear night the stars and moon shine brightly in the sky.
The forests consist of a combination of pine and deciduous trees creating a very diverse environment. The center of the island is largely covered with trees, allowing for long biking trips through the forest. Visitors can enjoy the symphonies of the finches living in the forest and admire the large variety of plants, flowers and mushroom growing in the forest. Closer to the beach the forests give way to moorlands and dunes with their own unique plant life and beautiful butterflies that are very common in the summer. Vlieland is very attractive in all seasons however, as each season offers its own unique appeal: sprouting green and the explosion of life in spring, the large uncrowded beach and warm sunsets of summer, the beautifully colored forest and wild seas in autumn and the quietness and spectacular white landscapes in winter.
The highest point of the island is called “Vuurboetsduin”, where the large red lighthouse of Vlieland is located. A stone path at the outskirts of the village allows access to this dune and to the lighthouse, which is open to visitors. The lighthouse offers a panoramic view of the entire island from the Wadden side to the North Sea side.
The large sand plate called “De Vliehors” at the western side of the island is (occasionally) a military practice ground that is open to public in the weekends. Apart from walking tot the end of the island, the possibility exists to book a tour with the Vliehors Express, where one can enjoy the trip on the beach to the Vliehors from the protected passenger cabin of a special beach truck. This trip is highly recommended!
An unforgettable vacation is guaranteed!