Marker Wadden from Lelystad: 29.50 euro by ferry buys three hours ashore, 69 euro by sailing ship buys two

Marker Wadden is a group of man-made islands that Natuurmonumenten built in the Markermeer out of dredged silt, and it is a walking island only: three bird hides, a lookout tower called De Steltloper and a beach, with bicycles, scooters and dogs all refused. The ferry from Bataviahaven in Lelystad takes about three quarters of an hour. A return is 29.50 euro for adults, 20.50 for members, 12.75 for ages four to twelve and nothing under three. You buy one fixed slot: the morning boat leaves at 10:00 and returns at 14:00, the afternoon boat at 13:00 and 17:00, leaving a little over three hours ashore. A three-masted sailing ship runs the same route from the same harbour for 69 euro. Next step: pick your date and slot on the Natuurmonumenten page.

• Why this island exists: nothing here is natural. The islands were pumped up from silt on the bed of the Markermeer to clear the water and bring birds back. There are hides called Duikeend and Lepelaar and a screen called Aalscholver, and from the top of De Steltloper you can see several of the islands at once; which birds you meet depends on the season. The island pavilion is open roughly 11:00 to 17:00 daily from April to October and takes cards only. (source 1, source 2)
• Getting there and the guided option: the boat leaves from Bataviahaven, where buses stop on the square in front of the harbour and run from Lelystad station. There is plenty of parking nearby but all of it is paid. When you book the crossing you can add a ninety-minute guided excursion at 10 euro for adults, 7 euro for members, 5 euro per child and 3.50 euro for OERRR members; only a limited number run per sailing and they usually sell out online first. (source 1)
• Who it is for: walkers and birdwatchers, and anyone travelling with a wheelchair or a rollator, because the vessel has accessible seating and an accessible toilet, and the island lends out one beach wheelchair and three ordinary ones free of charge if you reserve. It is not for anyone hoping to cycle around, and not for a day out with the dog. (source 1)
• Check before you go: the island takes no cash, only cards; your ticket is a return on one named slot and you cannot move to another boat on the day; catering closes in hard weather. Sailings finish in early November, and the organisation has already named that final weekend, which is worth aiming for if you want to go before the season shuts. (source 1, source 2)

Work it out per car, per family. Ferry equals adults times 29.50 euro plus ages four to twelve times 12.75 euro, with under-threes free, plus harbour parking; the sailing trip equals adults times 69 euro plus under-twelves times 42.50 euro. Two adults and two children come to 2 times 29.50 plus 2 times 12.75, so 84.50 euro by ferry, against 2 times 69 plus 2 times 42.50, so 223 euro under sail. The number that actually decides it is not the fare but the time ashore. The ferry gives a little over three hours, so 29.50 divided by three is roughly 9.83 euro an hour. The sailing day runs seven hours but only reaches the island at 12:00 and leaves at 14:00, which is two hours, so 69 divided by two is 34.50 euro an hour, and the arrival time depends on the wind. The extra thirty-odd euro buys a tall ship, a lunch served under way and snacks on the way back, and 8 euro of it is a donation to the reserve rather than time on the island. Membership takes 9 euro off each adult fare, 3.80 euro off each child and 3 euro off the excursion. (source 1, source 3)

Where

Bataviahaven 1, 8242 PR Lelystad, the ferry departure point

When

Two high-season sailings, leaving 10:00 and 13:00, back 14:00 and 17:00

Price

Return adults 29.50 euro・members 20.50 euro・ages four to twelve 12.75 euro・under three free

Booking

Only through the Natuurmonumenten site, by date and sailing, with the excursion added there

Note

Cards only on the island・no dogs and no bicycles on board・limited excursion places that usually sell out・all harbour parking is paid・the season's last sailing weekend is 31 October and 1 November

Hokimi field note: walking into the harbour, do not carry on towards the moored tall ships. The ferry lies on the dyke to the right of the basin, straight across the square, and the official page spells this out, which tells you people get it wrong. For birds and for light, take the morning boat; you are back in Lelystad soon after two with time for lunch in town.