Visit Æbelø

You get to Æbelø by walking from the parking lot at Lindøhoved through the water towards Æbelø Holm. There are poles in the water in the right direction. After about 45 minutes through the water, you reach Æbelø Holm which is the small islet in front of Æbelø. Walk across Æbelø Holm, and then there is a 20-minute walk through the water until you get to Æbelø.

You can set your GPS to Lindøhoved 60, 5400 Bogense, then you'll get to the parking lot at Lindøhoved.

Check the tides and the sea level!

The easiest way to get to Æbelø is by following the tide table and check out the current sea level. Check for ebb tide. The water rises and falls gradually. It's a good idea to walk in the time periode from about two-three hours before low tide to two-three hours after low tide.

Strong winds from the north mean elevated water levels. 

It's a very bad idea to go to Æbelø in the evening or night. After dark it's no longer possible to see where you're going - and the water is not low everywhere.

In the wintertime from mid-September to mid-May the water is chilly, and the weather is a lot more windy. We don't recommend walking to and from Æbelø at this time, unless for practiced outdoorspeople wearing waders...

Short-term forecasts

The tides are unpredictable and can change quickly according to both long-term and short-term forecasts. Check the current water level via the short-term forecast for Bogense on dmi.dk or via other weather services.

You can come to Æbelø in your own kayak or boat. There is no harbour at the island, but it is possible to anchor off the island where you can enjoy the view.

Unfortunately it is not possible to drive to Æbelø in any way. There is no transport to and from the island. Sometimes a tractor drives around, but it is only for use by those working on the island.

You can use the tide table to Æbelø by looking for ebb tide and high tide for each date. When the water is highest, it's a bit over one metre high. When the water is lowest, it's about 10-15 cm high. The water level is very dependent on wind and weather. When the wind is coming from the northeast, it means there'll be a very high tide.

Click here to see the tide table for May-September!

• Under H is high tide
• Under L is low tide
• The water wil rise and fall gradually
• If you start your trip three hours before low tide and start walking back no later than two hours after low tide, you'll walk in relatively low water the whole time
• The walk to the island takes about an hour and a half.

From mid-September - mid-May the water is cold, and the weather windy. We don't recommend going to Æbelø during this time, unless for outdoorspeople wearing waders and other equipment. It can be very dangerous.

Note that low tide in the tide table for all year round is marked with a minus in front of the number. The times are given in Danish normal time. When it is daylight saving time, add an hour.

Short-term forecast

Therefore, pay special attention if you go to Æbelø during that period and always check the short-term forecast for Bogense at dmi.dk just before you go.

It takes about an hour and a half to go to Æbelø. Walking from Lindøhoved through the water to Æbelø Holm takes about 45-50 minutes. Walking across Æbelø Holm takes about 20 minutes. Walking through the water from Æbelø Holm to Æbelø itself takes about 20 minutes. Now you are on Æbelø itself, and here you must expect that it takes about an hour to walk around the island.

• The trip from Lindøhoved to Æbelø Holm is approx. 1.5 km.
• The trip from Lindøhoved to Æbelø is at 4 km.
• The trip around Æbelø is at 7 km.

The walk to Æbelø will take you for at least an hour and a half through water, on a sandy bottom and on a stony bottom, as well as on gravel roads and small paths on Æbelø Holm and Æbelø. The trip to Æbelø is not suited for people who have difficulties walking or have other problems with their health.

There is neither a toilet nor access to water on Æbelø. At Lindøhoved, from where you start your walk to Æbelø, there is a public toilet. Tap water is available.

You can bring a small spade and biodegradable toilet paper to the island.

Æbelø is deserted. There is no water, no toilet, no food or anything else. You must remember to bring water, food, garbage bags etc. And of course, you must remember to bring it all back with you so that Æbelø can stay beautiful.

It is important to wear shoes or sandals for dry ground and the water. You walk on a sandy bottom in the water between Lindøhoved and Æbelø Holm, and here you don't need shoes - there are, however, stones and seashells in the sand. Then you get to Æbelø Holm, where you need your dry shoes. Between Æbelø Holm and Æbelø itself, you walk on the rock bottom in the water, and it's a really good idea to wear shoes.

When you come to Æbelø, you can let your shoes dry. It's not worth wearing rubber boots, because you can expect them be to get filled with water.

Every summer there are guided tours to Æbelø available for booking. You can see more about it here. The guide speaks Danish.

If you wish to plan a guided tour to Æbelø, you need permission from the owners of Æbelø, the foundation Aage V. Jensen Naturfond. They only grant permission to one group a day in order to enhance the experience for everyone.

It is not allowed to ride a bike on or near Æbelø and Æbelø Holm.

You must apply for permission to ride on Æbelø. It is only allowed for riding groups of max 10 horses. Note that there is a rock bottom between Æbelø Holm and Æbelø itself, and it is not good for the horses to walk there. You apply the Aage V. Jensen Naturfond for permission via the foundation's website.

You can bring your dog with you to Æbelø as long as the dog is on a leash.

Please note that the walk to Æbelø is about 4 km long, including 1.5 km through the water. The walk around Æbelø is 7 km long.  The water is at least 20 cm high and can be more than 1 m high. Your dog must be strong enough for a long walk and be able to walk in the water or swim for a long while.

During the birds' breeding season between 1 March and 15 July, you must not leave the main path on Æbelø Holm or visit Dræet.

You may not sleep on Æbelø.

In order to protect the unique nature of the island, staying overnight is not allowed.

You can walk around the island on the beach around the clock, but you can't pitch a tent, light a bonfire or anything else.

You can stay on the beach around the clock, and you can walk the big paths and open areas from 6 AM until sunset.

You may not take plants, animals, fungi or dead branches with you from Æbelø.

In the bird breeding season from 1 March to 15 July, access to the Dræet islet is not allowed, nor is it allowed to walk off the path on Æbelø Holm. Drætte Holm is also closed to the public from 1 March to 1 September.

The old ruins are too dangerous to enter.

Violation of the rules may be reported to the police.

You may not light a fire or have a bonfire on Æbelø. You may not bring wood to the island and the deadwood on the island must be allowed to be part of the natural cycle. It should not be used to light a fire. It takes a long time to extinguish a fire on Æbelø, which is why it is very important to respect the rules.

It is allowed to use a primus stove for cooking.

Violation of the rules may be reported to the police.