Ameland (Nes) — Eastern Approach
Nes harbour · Ameland Wad · Rif anchorage
53°26.4'N 05°47.5'E
Depth
1–3m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m on mud/sand in 1–3m at HW. Tidal range 2m — check depth for your draft at LW. Plan for HW access. The inner harbour at Nes provides better shelter once locked in.
Setting Your Anchor
- Check tidal height for your arrival time — many Groningen Wad anchorages dry at LW
- Plan arrival at HW -2 hours or better for all tidal locations in this region
- Daylight navigation only in all Wadden and Ems channels — no exceptions
- Set your anchor alarm immediately after anchoring — the tide will drop while you sleep
About This Anchorage
Ameland (population 3,500) is a mid-Wadden island of four villages — Hollum, Ballum, Nes, and Buren. Nes is the main harbour village. The island (24km long) is known for the four intact church towers visible from the sea, used historically as navigation marks before the lighthouse era. The lifeboat tradition is particularly strong on Ameland — the Ameland Museum covers the remarkable history of horse-drawn lifeboats launched through the surf. The eastern approach from Lauwersoog via the Borndiep is the standard route for Groningen-based sailors; the western approach from Harlingen via Borndiep is more commonly used by Frisian sailors. The island lighthouse at Hollum (1880) is the primary landfall mark.
Protected From
S · SW · SE
Exposed To
N · NW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Harbour fee approx €17–23/night; tidal anchorage free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Tidal access only (HW timing essential); daylight navigation in Wadden channels; Waddengids essential; nature reserve restrictions in nesting season (April–July) apply to flat areas east of island.
Hazards
- !Tidal navigation: the Borndiep and approaches to Nes require careful tidal timing; Waddengids and up-to-date electronic charts essential
- !Tidal range 2m — approach HW -2 at latest; do NOT attempt approach at LW or mid-ebb in unfamiliar conditions
- !Horse-drawn lifeboat launches are conducted on the beach as demonstrations — be aware of beach activity near harbour
- !Nature reserve closures east of island: Oerd area (national park) closed April–July for nesting; no anchoring in these zones
- !Strong NW exposure in the outer anchorage — not suitable for overnight in northwesterly conditions
Skipper's Tips
- →HW Nes is approximately 1hr 45min after HW Den Helder — use this as the base for planning your approach from Lauwersoog
- →The Ameland Museum (lifeboat history) in Hollum is excellent — bicycle the 10km from Nes along the cycle path through the dunes
- →The four village church towers (Hollum, Ballum, Nes, Buren) are a fascinating navigation reference — used by fishermen for centuries before GPS
- →The Oerd (east end of island, national park) is exceptional for seals and birdlife — approach only from Nes by bicycle, not by boat
- →Ameland lamb (like Texel) is a local food speciality — available in Nes restaurants in spring and early summer
Facilities
Nes has restaurants, cafés, and a supermarket. Full provisions available in the village. Fuel at Nes harbour. Bicycle hire for island exploration.
Nearest provisions: Nes village (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
May–September. Good balance of facilities and natural character. Less crowded than Terschelling and Texel. The eastern (Lauwersoog) approach is less used and more interesting than the standard Harlingen route.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In the Groningen Wad and Ems estuary, anchor drag on a drying tidal flat can leave you stranded at low water. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
Download Free for iOS