Now that temperatures are rising, we’re all eager to escape the daily hustle and bustleto find ultimate peace in nature. Tucked away in the Markermeer lies the Marker Wadden, a brand-new, idyllic island where you’re surrounded by sweeping horizons and a spectacular bird paradise.
But this wild archipelago offers more than just unspoiled wilderness and chirping birds. With a vast sandy beach stretching no less than 800 meters, it’s also the ideal, hidden destination for enjoying a swim outdoors and taking a refreshing dip this summer. The ultimate island getaway—right here at home.
The birth of an artificial natural paradise
Since 2018, the Netherlands has gained a spectacular new piece of land, where humans gave nature a big helping hand. Natuurmonumenten and Boskalis built the Marker Wadden from scratch using silt, sand, and clay from the bottom of the Markermeer. This innovative project immediately solved a major problem: the suffocating silt now forms the fertile foundation for a thriving archipelago.
As soon as the first sandy flats emerged above the water, nature took over at lightning speed. Pioneer plants sprouted from the ground, insects arrived, and over the years, the barren islands transformed into a mature wilderness. This project proves just how successfully new life can emerge right in the middle of the water.
Rugged wilderness without natural predators
Imagine a place where predators like foxes and rats don’t exist. On the Marker Wadden, nature has free rein, and you can see it everywhere. As soon as you set foot ashore, you hear the overwhelming sound of tens of thousands of pioneer birds. Avocets, common terns, and little terns claim the vast sandy plains and sheltered creeks to raise their young in peace.
This quiet oasis in the Markermeer also serves as a vital international stopover. Millions of migratory birds use the islands as an indispensable resting place during their impressive journeys between Africa and the far north. Here, you literally walk through a bird paradise in its purest, untamed form.
Strolling along the beach and exclusive accommodations
Only the main island, Haveneiland, opens its doors to adventurers. Here, you can walk along wooden boardwalks that cut straight through the marshy vegetation, leading directly to hidden bird-watching huts. At the edge of the island, a vast, 800-meter-long sandy beach awaits. It’s the perfect, rugged spot to enjoy a wonderful swim outdoors this summer in the expansive Markermeer.
As soon as the last ferry departs, a deafening silence falls over the island. Suddenly, you share the wilderness with no one but the thousands of birds. In the handful of sustainable beach cottages here, you’ll experience the ultimate seclusion. You’ll fall asleep to the gentle lapping of the water against the pilings and open your curtains in the morning to a view of a completely deserted world.
