Kaap Kobbeduinen, Maritime beacon in Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands.
Kaap Kobbeduinen is a wooden beacon standing on the coast of Schiermonnikoog overlooking the Wadden Sea and serving as a navigation reference point for maritime traffic. The structure is part of a network of guidance marks that helps sailors identify safe passages through these shallow waters.
Navigational beacons began being constructed on Schiermonnikoog in 1731 to help ships find safe routes through treacherous local waters. Around 20 of these structures were eventually built, giving the island an important role in North Sea maritime safety.
Two granite stones beside the beacon display haikus by artist Jan Loman in Norwegian and Dutch, creating a poetic connection between this Wadden Sea coast and the Norwegian village of Nesvag. The inscriptions invite visitors to pause and reflect on shared coastal cultures across borders.
The beacon is accessible via designated walking paths within Schiermonnikoog National Park, which provides several viewpoints for photography and observation. The flat terrain allows for easy walking, but visitors should be aware that tidal conditions can affect which routes are accessible at different times.
The beacon is part of a network of several navigation structures across the island, including the nearby Kaap Willemsduin, together forming an old system for guiding ships through complex waters. This coordinated arrangement shows how sailors once needed multiple visual reference points simultaneously to navigate safely.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
