If you were looking for a German stand-in for the US science-fiction film ‘Dune’, you could probably shoot it here: on the Kniepsand off the North Sea island of Amrum. For almost 15 kilometres a beach stretches out here – or rather, a vast sandbank that looks as if someone had simply picked up the Sahara and set it down on the North Sea coast.
Strictly speaking, Kniepsand is not a classic beach. It is an extensive sandbank in the North Sea that nestles directly against the west coast of the Schleswig-Holstein island of Amrum. Geologically it does not belong to the island, but to the eye it is almost indistinguishable, as it merges almost seamlessly into the dune landscape.
A sandbank that has carved out its own path
Its name comes from Öömrang, the Frisian dialect spoken on Amrum: the word ‘kniap’ roughly means ‘to pinch’. The sandbank was first mentioned in records in the 16th century. At that time it still lay at a right angle to Amrum.
For centuries tides and currents slowly pushed it towards the island. As late as the 1960s a narrow stretch of water still separated Kniepsand from Amrum. Today it is firmly attached to the dunes.
And it continues to shift: in the north and centre it is retreating due to sediment movements, while in the south new areas are being added – and the trend is upwards. Frank Timpe, head of Amrum Touristik, told Euronews that temporary localised sand losses can occur, for instance during storm surges, ‘where appropriate coastal protection measures then have to be taken’. The Schleswig-Holstein state agency for coastal defence, national park and marine conservation regularly records these changes in ‘morphological status reports’.
Ten square kilometres of pure open space
The dimensions speak for themselves: around ten square kilometres of beach, up to two kilometres wide at its broadest point. That is roughly the size of 1,400 football pitches. Anyone heading for the sea sometimes has to walk several hundred metres across fine sand.
Swimming is allowed in three lifeguard-supervised bathing areas, and designated zones provide space for a range of water activities. Beach volleyball, sailing, catamaran sailing – Kniepsand is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. And anyone who simply wants to spread out a towel and enjoy the vast views will find more than enough room. There are also designated naturist areas and sections of beach for dogs.
The beach can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. Boardwalks lead through dunes, woodland and heathland to the coast, at some access points via a wooden staircase aptly named the ‘Stairway to Heaven’. From its viewing platform you can take in the full extent of Kniepsand.
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