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Texel — the easy first island
The largest and most-visited of the Wadden Islands, and the one with by far the shortest crossing from the mainland.
Getting there
Texel is reached by a short car-and-passenger ferry from Den Helder, at the very northern tip of North Holland, run by TESO. It's the shortest crossing of any Wadden Island ferry route — closer to a harbour hop than a sea journey — which is a large part of why Texel sees far more day-trippers than the islands further out.
What's actually on the island
Texel is genuinely varied for its size: North Sea beaches along the west coast, sheltered Wadden Sea mudflats on the east side, a dune nature reserve, working farmland, and several distinct villages rather than one obvious centre.
| Area | What it's for |
|---|---|
| De Koog | The island's main beach resort village, closest to the busiest stretch of coast |
| Den Burg | Texel's largest town and practical hub — shops, the weekly market, transport links |
| De Cocksdorp & the north point | Quieter, closer to the lighthouse and the island's northern nature areas |
| Ecomare | A real seal and seabird rescue centre, open to visitors, near De Koog |
The Wadden side of Texel
Texel's east coast faces the Wadden Sea rather than the open North Sea, and it's from this side — and from similar mainland-facing points on the other islands — that organised wadlopen crossings typically set out. See the full wadlopen safety guide before you book one.
Texel sheep
The island has a long sheep-farming history, and the Texel breed — developed here — is now farmed well beyond the island itself for its meat quality. You'll see flocks grazing the dikes and polders across the island; it's a working landscape, not a photo prop.