So much sand – but where are the molds? Parents should have a quick answer to this question on the beach if they also want to have a peaceful vacation and the next family vacation is in Borkum. After all, the island is considered the largest sandpit in Germany. 26 kilometers full of sand want to be conquered. And you can also find the right answer to these following questions in Borkum: Can I fly a kite? Where can you see North Sea fish up close? Where do you go on board a lightship? How tall is the lighthouse? What does the island have to do with pirates – is there treasure? How do I get to the seals? Where can I surf – even if it rains? No problem at all – Borkum won’t let parents down.
Treasure hunt in the dunes
Even though Borkum has an eventful history behind it, as a whaling and pirate island, the islanders are now known to be very fond of children. You can feel this when you plan your family vacation on the island. Actually, there is far too much to discover and experience in just one vacation. Then you just have to come back again. And if the kids at home aren't quite convinced about an island vacation yet, then they might be tempted by the prospect of finding pirate treasure in the forest dunes at the southern tip. The pirate Klaus Störtebeker is said to have buried it here in the 14th century. If you don't find the treasure, the search was at least a nice excursion into the island's wonderful nature - because only Borkum offers the diversity of mudflats, forests, dunes and beaches. Added to this is the healthy North Sea air. Breathe deeply and feel freedom.
Animation on the beach and in the play island
Dig, build castles and search for shells in the surf. On the beach, between the beach tents and bathing carts that are so typical of Borkum, and the beach chairs, you can spend a wonderful family vacation day. But there is another bonus on the island: the beach entertainment. Every day at 14:30 p.m. the battle cry “Theo is fit” is heard and a sporty animation team ensures fun on the beach: there are water games, rallies, Viking battles and sand figure competitions. If it rains briefly, the fun will be moved to the play island. There you can do handicrafts, tinkering or puzzles. There is a ball pit and tables for table tennis, a slide, a bobby car ramp and even play areas for babies.
The play island is right next to the culture island for the big holidaymakers. But if the weather is good, they can also take part in the entertainment for adults on the beach. Whether cardiovascular gymnastics, muscle training or Pilates: having fun and exercising in the iodine-rich North Sea air puts you in a good mood and is healthy. Of course the animation is free – adults just have to listen to the song “Move your body” and it starts. People meet at the DLRG stations on the north or south beach or on the nudist beach.
Dive into Nordsee Aquarium
A visit to the North Sea Aquarium on Borkum is a must so that parents and children don't just encounter a plaice, a herring or a silverfish in the restaurant. It's not just the youngsters who won't regret finally being able to see the inhabitants of the North Sea up close. A total of 16 pools with different themes await visitors in the colorful water world located on the southern promenade. Maria and Ihno Oetjen lovingly and successfully look after their underwater pets. Cat sharks, sea dahlias, whelks and jellyfish are also included, as are seahorses, mussels and starfish. Unfortunately, there are no mermaids here – in case the children ask. In total there are over 200 different North Sea inhabitants to see.
A whale skeleton, a light ship, a seal carriage, steam days and milk stalls
There are things that are only available on Borkum. For example the dike house. It's rare that you can convince your children to visit a museum. And if it is supposed to be a local history museum, there is often a threat of strikes in the children's room. A visit to the Dykhus ("Dike House") on Borkum will also delight young people - because, among other things, the approximately 15 meter long skeleton of a sperm whale that was found on a North Sea beach over twenty years ago hangs here. In the event of a bad weather day, a visit to the Dykhus is an interesting family program. The weather should be nice when you board the lightship. The national park lightship “Borkumriff” is moored at the new harbor and can be visited and viewed daily. On board there is all information about the Wadden Sea National Park and the history of the ship, which was once a floating beacon for ocean shipping. Only on Borkum can you see such a ship, which is still sailable. A holiday on Borkum naturally also includes a visit to the seal bank in front of the north beach. You're not allowed to walk there - but there is the option of taking a carriage to the sandbank. One of these is the “Hohes Riff” seal bank, on the western beach of Borkum. During the journey, the carriage drivers tell you a lot of interesting facts and curiosities about life on Borkum and take their passengers to the best vantage point so that they can watch the seals closely.
Cozy, romantic and fun carriage rides are also available for tours of the island. If you can't get to the island by car, you can take the Borkum small train to the center from the ferry pier. That alone is an experience. Railway fans can also regularly look forward to steam days. Then the lavishly restored steam locomotive “Borkum”, built in 1940, pulls historic wagons across the island on the oldest and only continuous double-track narrow-gauge railway in Germany. After so many adventures, you need a healthy refreshment. They are available in the milk stalls. These stalls, which are only available on Borkum, have been offering drinks and snacks on the beach for 100 years - with a view over the beach and the North Sea. In addition to milk and rice pudding with cinnamon, you can also get cocktails and small treats.
A jungle, wild animals and a singing mudflat guide
Family holidays on Borkum can also be a holiday of discovery and adventure. Get out of the beach tent, leave your smartphone at home, and head out into nature. There are over 5.000 animal and plant species on Borkum, which you can discover on hikes and bike tours through untouched salt marshes and in enchanted forests - on over 130 kilometers of developed paths. The “Greune Stee” grove was only planted around 100 years ago and has developed so originally that the people of Borkum call it the “jungle”. There are also wild animals - although smaller specimens such as snails and over 100 species of birds. You can build a personal relationship with the sheep that graze in the salt marshes and on the dikes during a break on a hiking or cycling tour. The only way to get to the mudflats is on foot. But sometimes with musical accompaniment.
Because the singing mudflat guide Albertus Jansen Akkermann not only seems to personally know every mussel and every lugworm in the mud, but he also accompanies himself on the accordion. At the same time, you can find out everything you need to know about the around 10.000 animal and plant species whose home is the wavy mud flats of the North Sea. You have never experienced the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park like this before. Typically Borkum.
Lighthouses – the best view of the entire island
Borkum is also called the island of towers. That doesn't mean that there were fortresses here, like those you know from “Lord of the Rings” or “Games of Thrones”. But there has to be a certain type of tower on every North Sea island - the lighthouse. However, Borkum has five to offer: the Old Lighthouse, the New Lighthouse, the Electric Lighthouse, the Düne cross-mark light and the Fischerbalje entrance light. Here too, Borkum is unique. The New Lighthouse, which is already 140 years old, offers the best view of the island at a height of 60,3 meters. Maybe the parents should tell you at the top that there are 308 steps to the view. You cannot climb the Electric Lighthouse. He is also out of service. However, it looks like it was taken from a picture book and is the perfect backdrop for a family photo.
And there is another historic tower - the 1900 meter high water tower, built in 23. The “Watertoorn” no longer supplies the people of Borkum with fresh drinking water. Every Thursday there are interesting tours on the topic of water supply on the island.
Playing with the wind
There is usually a fresh westerly wind on Borkum. It brings the high sea air over the island, which is good for many asthmatics and allergy sufferers. However, it is not only healthy, but also important for lots of fun. Because a successful North Sea holiday also includes flying small and large kites. And there are so many more opportunities to play with the wind on Borkum. Of course, the offerings include surfing and kitesurfing. When there are onshore winds, mast-high waves can break on the offshore sandbanks, depending on the wind strength. Kite landboarding, beach sailing, kite buggy driving and power kiting are also available on selected sections of the beach, far away from nature reserves. Sun, beach and lots of wind make the family holiday on Borkum a fast-paced sports holiday.
The Gezeitenland – Indoor surfing and thalasso relaxation
No, there is no ocean liner stranded in the dunes. It just looks that way. Hidden behind the imaginative architecture is an 8.000 square meter wellness and adventure realm Gezeitenland. First of all, this is Gezeitenland a seawater swimming pool. Several swimming pools, including a 25 meter long sports pool, provide variety. Different water depths make swimming possible for visitors of all ages. Separate areas are available for children and non-swimmers. But there is more. Young people – just like adults – can let off steam on a 75 meter long giant slide. The FlowRider offers additional fun: this is the name of the only indoor surfing facility in Lower Saxony. It offers safe and secure surfing with a padded surf pool. Here every visitor can Gezeitenlandshow off your skills and try out new things.
The spacious sauna area offers relaxation and wellness Gezeitenland. The Thalasso Spa offers numerous treatments that pamper the body and mind with fine sea water and salt. In particular, the Borkum mud pack and sea water inhalation are healthy and allow you to forget the stress of everyday life.