Wangerooge's north-facing beach is the island's main attraction — a broad, gently shelving strip of pale sand stretching for most of the island's length. Wicker beach chairs (Strandkorbe) are available for rent, providing shelter from the wind that is a constant feature of North Sea beach life. The water is clean and cold, warming slightly in July and August when North Sea temperatures can reach 18-20°C.
The beach is wide enough to absorb the summer crowds without feeling crowded. Walk eastward for quieter stretches away from the main village. The surf is gentle by Atlantic standards but significant enough for body-boarding, and the tidal range means the low-tide beach is dramatically wider than at high tide. Early morning walks at low tide, when the sand stretches out towards the Wadden Sea and the island feels entirely empty, are one of the true pleasures of Wangerooge.