Texel is the largest of the Dutch Wadden Sea Islands in the Netherlands. Still a relatively under-the-radar destination, Texel has a variety of wildlife reserves, villages, and deserted beaches to enjoy. Walking and cycling are popular on the island. You can get around the island by bus, but extensive bike paths make getting around on two wheels easy. The southern cycling route takes you to De Petten Lake, home to shelducks, oystercatchers, lapwings, avocets and black-headed gulls.
For avid wildlife fans, winter is a fine time to travel to Texel Island. About a third of Texel is protected nature preserve, and Texel is a winter home to birds of prey and geese.
Don’t miss EcoMare, a visitor center in De Koog that will give you context for all the nature you’re seeing. It also has a bird shelter, dune park and wildlife museum; Texel island is about two and a half hours from Amsterdam.
You can take the train to Den Helder in Noord-Holland, where there is a bus that takes you to the ferry every 12 minutes after the hour.
