Red sandstone cliff, Lange Anna, in the background.

Day trip to Helgoland – A perfect Island for Introverts

The Introverted Solo Traveller contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.


Do you want to explore an island where you can see sea birds and seals in one go? A day trip to Helgoland is like a spa day for the soul.

Fresh sea air, beautiful views, and lots to explore. 

I’ve recently been to Helgoland for a day trip and enjoyed myself immensely. It is an excellent spot for introverts, and if you like boat tours, you’ll get your fill there.

However, you won’t have much time on this lovely island. You can take several ferries from mainland Germany, but if you stay for the day, you’ll only get a maximum of 4 to 6 hours per visit.

In my opinion, that is still enough to explore most of the island and get a good first impression of whether you’d like to return.

This post will give you a short overview of the island of heligoland (how it’s also being called), the ferry options you can take, and what’s not to be missed.

Red and white lighthouse on the beach of the Dune. Green grass slightly to right. Blue sky with clouds.

Day trip to Heligoland – The Options

Helgoland is a small archipelago in the North Sea off Northern Germany. It is about 69 km (43 miles) from the coast.

During the high season, March to October, you have several options for getting to Helgoland. You can even fly with a plane. They have a small airport on a smaller island called Düne, closely located to Helgoland.

Small airport behind grass

However, since I’m a boat lover, I always recommend taking the ferry to get there.

There are 3 main routes that take you directly to the island. You can leave from:

  1. Hamburg
  2. Büsum
  3. Cuxhaven

I went on the ferry MS Funny Girl – I know it’s a great name – from Büsum. I haven’t tried the other routes yet, but I saw the vessels in the port when I was there.

The most exciting journey is probably from Hamburg with the Halunder Jet.

Harbour of Helgoland. View from the top of the cliffs.

It’s a modern high-speed catamaran with a maximum speed of 36 knots. Speed and coolness come at a price. A return trip costs at least 110 euros per person, and you can spend a lot more if you want to go to the better decks.

The usual departure time is 9 AM in Hamburg, with an arrival time of 12.30 PM in Heligoland, the same as the other routes. However, travel time is a bit longer as Hamburg is further away than the other destinations.

Using the Halunder Jet, you’ll have around 4.5 hours to spend on Helgoland.

The MS Funny Girl is a normal motor ship. Since cars are not allowed on the island, all ferries are simply passenger ferries.

Onboard the MS Funny Girl. Two life rafts in their round packaging. MS Funny Girl safety buoy on the bottom right.

The ferry had several decks where you could relax and enjoy the sun. They also have a sun deck, but you have to pay extra – which I, of course, didn’t do.

All the vessels have restaurants, so you don’t have to bring food if you don’t want to, but it’s not cheap.

I went on this trip with a bus tour, so my ticket was already included, but if you were to book it individually, you’d “only” pay 58 euros for a return trip.

It takes about 2.5 hours to get to Helgoland from Büsum, and it’s a lovely journey. 

I sat outside on the forward deck for both journeys, and it was complete bliss. Listening to music with my headphones, no one talked to me, and there was enough space that I didn’t feel crowded.

With the MS Funny Girl you’ll have around 4 hours time on the island. However, when I was there, I even had 5 hours due to the tide.

Then there is the MS Helgoland, which leaves from Cuxhaven.

Helgoland harbour with the MS Nordlicht moored on the right side of the berth.

The photo actually shows the MS Nordlicht but it’s operated by the same shipping company.

The usual departure time is 9.30 AM, and it takes 150 minutes to get to Helgoland.

The return time is 6 PM, which is the latest time for all the ferries.

The price of the ticket is also okay, at 64 euros per person for a return trip.

Day trip to Helgoland – Things to See and What to Do

There are so many things to see. The island is mostly known for its stunning landscape. One of the main features are the red cliffs, and especially the Lange Anna.

Red sandstone cliff, Lange Anna, in the background.

When I was there, I was lucky as it was a perfect sunny day.

There are so many birds, lots of seagulls, and other birds I don’t know their names. It’s quite loud but so fascinating to look at.

Large group of sea birds sitting on the red sandstone cliffs.

You can walk from the beach up the cliff or take the stairs from the village centre.

If you want to do some duty free shopping, then Helgoland is the place for you. Here, you don’t have to pay the 19% VAT. A few stores are closed on Sundays, so consider that if you do want to go on a shopping spree.

Main street to village centre. Colourful houses on the left, white building on the right.

You can also go swimming on one of the beautiful beaches. There are several to choose from.

Beach with wooden stumps leading towards the sea.

I hope you like the little bit of artistry I wanted to capture.

You can also eat a lot of food. There are cute little food huts right where the ferries moor. They even have lobster there.

Colourful huts in the distance on the left side. Harbour on the right side.

BE AWARE OF THE SEAGULLS!!!!

When you do eat something there, watch out for the seagulls. The salespeople warned me, and yet I was attacked twice by one and almost lost my eel sandwich. 

We have seagulls here in my home village, and they sometimes steal a crêpe, but that’s nothing compared to the Helgoland seagulls. They’re vicious, so please be careful.

It was an absolute pleasure to walk on top of the cliffs. The views were spectacular. There are a few walks on komoot which you can take, but you wouldn’t get lost without a guide.

View from the top of the cliffs. Red sandstone to the right of the photo. Blue sea and sky.

If you don’t feel like walking, you can also take a little bus tour up there.

You can take a ferry to the very small island, Düne. There you’ll be able to spot the seals. 

The little ferry boat might not look like it’s big but over 50 people fit on there. These ferry boats are called Börteboote.

Inside of a Börteboot. View of the front seats and railing.

Düne is small, and it doesn’t take that long to get around the island but always consider that it takes about 20 minutes to get back to Helgoland, and you need to reach your ferry back to the mainland.

There are two seal beaches. One is off to the right when you come off the small ferry boat. You have to walk around 5 to 10 minutes to get there.

Seals lying on the sandy beach in the distance. Blue sea in the right far corner surrounded by the mole.

Or opposite the jetty which is a bit longer walk. However, I recommend going there as well if you have the time as the walk around the island is beautiful.

View of the beach on the Dune island. Grass to the right, followed by sandy beach and the sea on the left.

And here are the seals. I almost missed them as they were tucked in the corner.

You are supposed to keep 30 meter distance from there for their and your safety.

Seals on the beach surrounded by sand and a mole.

I was really glad I had the 5 hours to go to the Düne and see the seals. 

There are plenty of restaurants where you can have lunch. I only had my sandwich and was happy enough, but there are options.

Day Trip to Heligoland – Recap

You might not have a lot of time on the island depending on the route you take, but it’s definitely worth a visit if you like beautiful nature and the sea.

It’s a great day trip from Hamburg or Cuxhaven to a wonderful German island.

The red sandstone is a sight to see as well as the seals that lounge on the island.

I can only recommend that you visit Helgoland if you’re in Northern Germany somewhere.

I absolutely enjoyed my trip to the island.

What I do have to say is that I don’t think I’ll be going back. These five hours gave me enough time to see most, if not all, of the sights, at least to some extent. 

It was enough time for me to take in the beauty, but I didn’t need to stay there for several nights as there wasn’t that much to see. However, I’m not a beach girl. If that’s your thing, you might want to stay there longer.

Day trip to Heligoland – FAQ

What is Heligoland?

Heligoland is a small German island located in the North Sea. It is known for its stunning red sandstone cliffs, beautiful beaches, and unique wildlife, including seals and seabirds. 

Is Helgoland worth visiting?

Yes, absolutely if you love beautiful nature and the sea.

Getting to Heligoland: How can I take a day trip to Heligoland?

To go on a day trip to Heligoland, you can take a ferry from either Hamburg or Cuxhaven. The ferry ride usually takes around 2 to 3 hours, and once you arrive, you can explore the island and its attractions.

What are some must-see attractions on Heligoland?

During your trip to Heligoland, make sure to visit Lange Anna, a famous red sandstone cliff formation. You can also explore the duty-free shops, enjoy the beaches, and watch the seals basking in the sun.

What is Helgoland famous for?

The red sandstone cliffs and the awesome seals.

What can I do during a day trip to Heligoland?

While on the island of Heligoland, you can take a boat tour around the island, go lobster hunting, or simply relax on the beach. Don’t forget to try the local seafood and take a stroll through the charming harbour.

How do I get back to the mainland after visiting Heligoland?

After spending time on the German island of Heligoland, you can take a ferry back to either Hamburg or Cuxhaven or Büsum. Make sure to plan your return trip in advance to catch the ferry on time.

How long should I plan for a day trip to Heligoland?

For a day trip to Heligoland, it is recommended to allocate a full day to explore the island and enjoy its attractions. This will give you enough time to make the most of your visit without feeling rushed.

Does anyone live on Helgoland?

Yes, Heligoland has around 1100 inhabitants. However, over 250.000 day trippers visit the archipelago annually.

Similar Posts