Informatiecentrum het Baken in Schiermonnikoog
The information centre for Schiermonnikoog National Park, where Natuurmonumenten and the VVV share one desk for excursions, island advice and an interactive exhibition, a short bus ride from the ferry.
Photo credits
The distinctive red-brick exterior of Informatiecentrum Het Baken, the landmark building on Reeweg in Schiermonnikoog: Natuurmonumenten
Quick answers
- Address
- Reeweg 9, Schiermonnikoog
- Address
- Reeweg 99166 PW Schiermonnikoog
- Opening hours
- Mon–Sat 9:00–17:00; Sun 10:00–14:00
- Ferry
- From Lauwersoog, then a bus to the village
- Exhibition
- Interactive National Park and Wadden Sea displays
- Shop
- Nature books, routes, hunts and souvenirs
- Access
- Wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet
- Parking
- At Lauwersoog; cars stay on the mainland
- Contact
- +31 519 531 233
Holidays at Informatiecentrum het Baken
Open on the holidays: these nights are in the agenda.
Local history at Informatiecentrum het Baken: upcoming events
Tonight, this week and the months ahead at this venue in Schiermonnikoog.
Plan your visit to Informatiecentrum het Baken
Capacity and group size
Het Baken does not publish a maximum number of visitors. The nearest comparison is Bunkermuseum Schlei, which admits at most 45 people per time slot; Schelpenmuseum Paal 14 does not publish a capacity either.
For groups of more than 20 people, or for a paid activity, ask Natuurmonumenten for permission before you organise it.
| Venue | Maximum capacity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Informatiecentrum Het Baken | Not published | Natuurmonumenten (no figure) |
| Bunkermuseum Schlei | 45 per time slot | Bunkermuseum Schlei visitor rules |
| Schelpenmuseum Paal 14 | Not published | VVV Schiermonnikoog |
The exhibition: the island, the Wadden Sea and the night sky
The interactive exhibition introduces the National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea. It shows the island's landscapes — dunes, salt marshes, woods and beaches — and the plants and animals that live there.
You come eye to eye with a seal and a spoonbill, see on screens when migratory birds arrive and leave, and learn about the starry sky above the island. The displays use sound, images and hands-on elements.
The exhibition is on the ground floor, next to the desk and the shop. The shop sells nature books, walking and cycling routes, nature hunts and souvenirs.
- Allow time for the shop: it stocks routes, nature books and souvenirs.
- The exhibition is on the ground floor, so a visit does not need the stairs.
Accessibility at Het Baken
The information centre is wheelchair accessible and has an adapted toilet. The exhibition, desk and shop are on the ground floor, so you do not need the stairs for a visit.
The building is in the village centre, a one-minute walk from the Centrum bus stop. If you need help on the day, ask at the desk; the VVV and Natuurmonumenten staff share it.
- Wheelchair access
- Yes, including the exhibition and shop
- Adapted toilet
- Yes
- Ground floor
- Desk, exhibition and shop
House rules: dogs, drones and groups
Dogs are welcome on a lead on the paths. Drones are not allowed, and neither is metal detecting or magnet fishing; these rules protect the National Park.
If you want to organise an activity for more than 20 people, or a paid activity, ask Natuurmonumenten for permission first.
- Keep dogs on a lead and stay on the paths.
- Leave the detector and drone at home; both are banned in the National Park.
Getting to Het Baken: ferry, bus and train
Schiermonnikoog is a car-free island: you cross from Lauwersoog by ferry, then take the bus to the village. The information centre is in the village centre, a one-minute walk from the Centrum stop.
From Leeuwarden take bus 155 and from Groningen bus 163 to Lauwersoog; both connect with the ferry. Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten runs the ferry; a fast service also crosses. After arrival, a connecting bus takes you to the village.
Cars cannot be taken to the island. Park at Lauwersoog and continue on foot, by bus and by ferry; see the parking section for the car parks and rates.
The nearest stops are all within a short walk: Centrum is 60 m away, Langestreek/Torenstreek 310 m, Middenstreek 340 m, Langestreek/Molendyk 350 m, Gasaustraat 430 m and Oosterreeweg 520 m. Distances and walking times come from OpenStreetMap.
Parking for Het Baken: leave the car at Lauwersoog
Cars cannot cross to Schiermonnikoog, so parking means the car parks at the ferry terminal in Lauwersoog. They are a short walk from the Wagenborg terminal; then it is ferry and bus to the village.
Scheepspark runs the covered P1 garage (740 spaces) and the outdoor P2 site (660 spaces) at Zeedijk 11. P1 has a height limit of 2.25 m; higher vehicles use P2. Parking costs €7.50 per calendar day and places cannot be reserved. There are spaces for disabled drivers and charging points for electric cars.
Scheepspark says P1 is right next to the terminal and P2 is about a five-minute walk away. P3 at Kustweg 22 is also about a five-minute walk (500 m) and costs €7.00 per calendar day; you can reserve there. For a short stop, use the blue zone in front of the terminal, where you may load or unload for up to one hour.
Parking is at your own risk. Rates and rules can change; check the VVV page before you travel.
| Car park | Address | Walk to ferry | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 Scheepspark (covered, 740 spaces) | Zeedijk 11, Lauwersoog | Right next to the terminal | €7.50 per calendar day |
| P2 Scheepspark (outdoor, 660 spaces) | Zeedijk 11, Lauwersoog | 5 min | €7.50 per calendar day |
| P3 Bos Marine Services | Kustweg 22, Lauwersoog | 5 min (500 m) | €7.00 per calendar day |
- P1 spaces
- 740, covered
- P2 spaces
- 660, outdoor; vehicles over 2.25 m
- P1 and P2 rate
- €7.50 per calendar day
- P3 rate
- €7.00 per calendar day
- Reservations
- Not possible at P1/P2; possible at P3
- P1 is directly beside the terminal; P2 and P3 are about a five-minute walk away.
Contact and opening hours
- Address
- Reeweg 9, 9166 PW Schiermonnikoog
- Telephone
- +31 519 531 233
- [email protected]
- Opening hours
- Mon–Sat 09:00–17:00; Sun 10:00–14:00
What is Informatiecentrum Het Baken?
Informatiecentrum Het Baken is the information centre for Schiermonnikoog National Park, at Reeweg 9 in the village centre. Natuurmonumenten and VVV Schiermonnikoog have run it together since May 2021, so one desk covers both the National Park and the island's practical questions.
Use it to book nature excursions, activities and accommodation, to pick up walking and cycling routes, or to ask what to see on the island. The exhibition and shop are on the ground floor; the teams' offices are upstairs.
The building was designed by Nynke Rixt Jukema with Bètha Architecten. It is sustainable and generates its own energy, and its red Groningen brick makes it easy to recognise from the street.
Photos
Photo credits
The distinctive red-brick exterior of Informatiecentrum Het Baken, the landmark building on Reeweg in Schiermonnikoog: Natuurmonumenten
The interactive exhibition at Het Baken, with displays on the Wadden Sea, seals and migratory birds: Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog
Microscopes and nature displays in the exhibition at Het Baken: Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog
Read reviews on Google Maps We don't show ratings here. See what visitors say on Google Maps.
Frequently asked questions
What is Informatiecentrum Het Baken?
It is the information centre for Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog, run by Natuurmonumenten and VVV Schiermonnikoog. You can book excursions, activities and accommodation there, see an exhibition about the island and buy routes and nature books.
Where is Het Baken?
At Reeweg 9, 9166 PW Schiermonnikoog, in the village centre. The Centrum bus stop is 60 m away, about a one-minute walk.
What time does Het Baken open and close?
Monday to Saturday it is open from 09:00 to 17:00. On Sundays and public holidays it opens from 10:00 to 14:00. On New Year's Eve and the third day of Pentecost it closes at 12:00.
Is Het Baken open on Sundays and public holidays?
Yes, from 10:00 to 14:00, except on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, when it is closed.
Is Het Baken open on Christmas Day or New Year's Day?
No, it is closed on both Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Do I need a ticket for the exhibition?
The information centre publishes no entrance price. Excursions and activities are booked separately at the desk.
How do I get to Het Baken by public transport?
Take the train to Leeuwarden or Groningen, then bus 155 from Leeuwarden or bus 163 from Groningen to Lauwersoog. Cross by ferry or fast service, then take the connecting bus to the village. The Centrum stop is 60 m from the door.
Can I take my car to Schiermonnikoog?
No. Cars cannot be taken to Schiermonnikoog. Park at Lauwersoog and continue on foot, by bus and by ferry.
Where can I park for Het Baken?
At the ferry terminal in Lauwersoog. P1 (covered, 740 spaces) and P2 (outdoor, 660 spaces) at Zeedijk 11 cost €7.50 per calendar day; P3 at Kustweg 22 costs €7.00 and is about a five-minute walk from the terminal.
Is Het Baken wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The information centre is accessible for wheelchairs and has an adapted toilet; the desk, exhibition and shop are on the ground floor.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a lead on the paths. Dogs are not allowed to run free in the National Park.
What can I do with children at Het Baken?
The interactive exhibition has sound, images and hands-on displays about seals, birds and the Wadden Sea. The shop sells nature hunts and souvenirs, and Natuurmonumenten runs nature excursions.
Can I book an excursion or accommodation at Het Baken?
Yes. The desk books nature excursions, activities and accommodation on the island. You can also ask for walking and cycling routes.
Is there a shop at Het Baken?
Yes. The shop sells nature books, walking and cycling routes, nature hunts and souvenirs.
What is the exhibition about?
It introduces the National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea, with the island's dunes, salt marshes, woods and beaches, its plants and animals, migratory birds and the starry sky.
Sources: Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog: Het Baken (October 30, 2026) · Natuurmonumenten: Informatiecentrum Het Baken (October 30, 2026) · VVV Schiermonnikoog: parking at Lauwersoog (October 30, 2026) · Bunkermuseum Schlei: visitor rules (October 30, 2026) · VVV Schiermonnikoog: contact and opening hours (October 30, 2026)
