The German North Frisian Islands are part of the interregional archipelago of The Frisian Islands in northwestern Europe, which spreads across the coasts of The Netherlands, Germany and Denmark in crescent form from west to east to north. These areas are divided from each other for administrative reasons, but they form a single ecological entity.
Most of the area is protected, and an international wildlife reserve is being coordinated between the three countries. Gas and oil drilling continue, however, and the presence of the Ems, Weser and Elbe estuaries and the ensuing ship traffic cause growing tension between wildlife protection and economics.

In the west, following the coastal line of The Netherlands, are the West Frisian Islands, or Wadden Islands as the Dutch call them. The Frisian Islands are nowadays mostly famous as a holiday destination. Island hopping is possible by regular ferries from the mainland and by specialised tour operators like Wadfietsen.nl and Cycletours.nl. Cycling is the most favourable means of transport on most of the islands. On Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog cars are only allowed for regular inhabitants.
In the east, along the German coast, you'll find the East Frisian Islands, also known by the National Park they belong to. From west to east:
* Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park, comprising the northern coast of Lower Saxony, including most of the East Frisian Islands
* Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park, extending from the mouth of the Elbe river to the tiny bird islands of Neuwerk and Scharhörn
In the north, the North Frisian Islands are partly under Germany, partly under Denmark. Here again, they are commonly known by their Nature Reserve names. From south to north you'll find:
* Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park in German, comprising the western coast of Schleswig-Holstein and including the North Frisian Islands
* Vadehavet Nature Reserve in Denmark

Click the links above to directly access the different local areas.