Overview

Schiermonnikoog is the most north-eastern Dutch island of the Wadden Islands, accessible by ferry from Lauwersoog (~45 min). Almost car-free island (only residents can drive) — absolute calm, unique atmosphere. Described as "the most northerly kite spot in the Netherlands".

The main spot is at the end of the Badweg, between beach poles 3 and 5 (Paal 3-5), on the North Sea side. Extremely wide beach. Dual personality system depending on the tide: at high tide a large lagoon forms between the sandbank and the beach — perfect flat water for beginners and freestyle (long runs possible over several km). At low tide, the sandbank emerges and the lagoon disappears — only the open sea (with small to medium waves) remains rideable. The 2nd sandbank (beyond the lagoon) generates beautiful waves for advanced riders. Kite allowed all year round on the North Sea side. Kite prohibited on the Wadden Sea side.

Particularity: the former lagoon (widely described) has partially migrated — the new sandbank is gradually rising; the configuration evolves from year to year.

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Spot forecast for West / Schiermonnikoog (Paal 3)

Sunrise 08:11 · Sunset 18:28

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 2.6 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October High tide 05:25 · 2.5 m Low tide 11:23 · 1 m High tide 17:55 · 2.3 m Low tide 23:41 · 1.1 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 06:19 · 2.6 m Low tide 12:29 · 1 m High tide 18:50 · 2.4 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 00:47 · 1 m High tide 07:11 · 2.7 m Low tide 13:29 · 0.8 m High tide 19:42 · 2.5 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 01:47 · 0.9 m High tide 08:01 · 2.8 m Low tide 14:24 · 0.6 m High tide 20:31 · 2.6 m
Saturday 24 October Low tide 02:41 · 0.8 m High tide 08:48 · 2.9 m Low tide 15:13 · 0.5 m High tide 21:17 · 2.7 m

West / Schiermonnikoog (Paal 3): when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

419h

in June · 30 rideable days

The season runs from March to August, peaking in June: 28 rideable days a month and 419 hours of usable wind, at 16 °C. The low point is October, at 20.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 54%13-20 knots · 38%21-30 knots · 7%31+ knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 54% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 6 °C. The wettest month is November, with 153 mm.

Monthly averages: West / Schiermonnikoog (Paal 3)

Monthly averages — West / Schiermonnikoog (Paal 3) — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	28.0	251 h	6 °C	91 mm
February	21.0	197 h	7 °C	90 mm
March	26.5	276 h	10 °C	38 mm
April	27.0	301 h	12 °C	79 mm
May	28.0	348 h	16 °C	70 mm
June	30.0	419 h	18 °C	92 mm
July	29.5	411 h	20 °C	109 mm
August	28.0	334 h	21 °C	52 mm
September	23.5	269 h	18 °C	108 mm
October	20.5	226 h	14 °C	111 mm
November	22.0	182 h	9 °C	153 mm
December	24.0	206 h	7 °C	62 mm

Photo gallery of West / Schiermonnikoog (Paal 3)

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Technical details of West / Schiermonnikoog (Paal 3) spot

The spot works with winds from N, NE, ENE, E, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Local association recommendations

KiteMobile — mobile school operating on Schiermonnikoog. Surfclub Schiermonnikoog — vlonder (pontoons) directly on the Paal 3 spot (Badweg). Antix Sports — kite lessons on the island.

Spot functioning

Ferry from Lauwersoog (~45 min). No rental cars — get around by bicycle (rental on the island). Spot at the end of the Badweg. Surf club + kite school directly on the spot (wooden vlonder/pontoon). Kite all year round, no time restriction on the North Sea side. Lagoon rideable around high tide. Check local current conditions (specific spots according to NKV).

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Kite allowed all year round on the North Sea side, between poles Paal 3 and Paal 5 (Badweg). Kite and windsurfing strictly prohibited on the Wadden Sea side.
Required level: Intermediate

Wind specificities

SW/W/NW: dominant and best — side-onshore left, stable sea wind. NW: best waves on the 2nd sandbank. NE: lagoon always flat, free wind from the sea. S/SE: offshore — to be avoided. In strong NW (several days): mast-high waves possible beyond the sandbank. Wind generally constant and maritime. Buggy, blokart and flyboard also practised on the firm beach (hard sand).

Hazards

Kite prohibited on the entire Wadden Sea side of the island — North Sea only. Significant tidal current (atypical current compared to other Dutch spots according to NKV). Stronger current during spring tides (springtij). Waves present at high tide — beginner level only in the lagoon with moderate wind. No cars on the island — rescue takes longer to arrive. Wad prohibited: do not kite south of the island.

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Additional stations

Awg-1 Sea12.7 km

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Jachthaven Lauwersmeer10.7 km

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Nearby spots

All spots: Friesland

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West / Schiermonnikoog (Paal 3) kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot