Ameland and its seals
Ameland lies between Terschelling and Schiermonnikoog in the north of the Netherlands, with the Wadden Sea to the south and the North Sea to the north. Sandbars in the Wadden Sea around the island dry out at low tide, and that is where harbour (common) seals and growing numbers of grey seals rest. The Dutch Wadden Sea held over 7,000 harbour seals in 2025 and nearly 9,000 grey seals in spring 2026 (see seal counts).
By boat: seal trips from Nes
The most reliable way to see seals is a seal-watching boat trip (in Dutch zeehondentocht or robbentocht). In season, boats leave from the harbour of Nes for the sandbars. Skippers time trips around low tide, when the seals are hauled out, and keep the distances required in this Natura 2000 area. Bring binoculars. Departure times change with the tide; check current options with the Ameland tourist office (VVV) or the operators in the harbour. General advice is on boat trips.
From the dike, the mudflats and the beach
From the Wadden dike, at low tide, a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope sometimes shows seals on distant sandbars. You can walk the mudflats with a certified mudflat-walking guide — never go alone, and stay well away from resting seals.
On the North Sea beach a seal occasionally hauls out or washes up; in winter these may be young grey seals. A seal on the beach is usually just resting. Keep at least 30 metres away, keep your dog on a lead and do not touch it. If it looks sick, injured or entangled, call 144. Full protocol: seal pup found.
Best time
| Period | What you may see |
|---|---|
| March – May | Moulting grey seals; many animals on the sandbars |
| June – July | Harbour seals with pups (keep extra distance) |
| July – August | Harbour seal moult; busiest boat-trip season |
| December – January | Grey seal pups, mostly elsewhere in the Wadden Sea; occasionally a young grey seal on the beach |
Time of day matters as much as season: plan around low tide. See tides and seals.
Getting there
The ferry to Ameland runs from Holwerd on the Frisian coast to Nes; the crossing takes about 45 minutes. Cars are allowed on the island, but most visitors cycle. Nes is the main village and the departure point for boat trips.
Rules of thumb
- Never walk onto sandbars where seals rest; many are (seasonally) closed areas.
- From the water, keep a wide berth and never head straight for the animals.
- No drones over haul-outs.
- If all heads turn towards you or animals shuffle towards the water, you are too close.
Other Wadden islands
Seal trips also leave from Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Schiermonnikoog and Lauwersoog on the mainland. See seal spotting in the Wadden Sea and all locations on the spotting map.
Plan your visit
See all spotting locations on the map, or read the general spotting guide.