Sterrenhemel Boschplaat

Why the Boschplaat is special for astrophotography

The easternmost tip of Terschelling is one of the darkest places in the Netherlands. The Boschplaat is a vast nature reserve with no public lighting, surrounded by the Wadden Sea and the North Sea. Light pollution is practically zero, and the horizon is open in every direction. On a moonless night you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. For astrophotography, that is rare in a densely populated country like the Netherlands.

Light, season and timing

The best periods are late summer and early autumn. The nights are already long enough, the sky is often clear, and temperatures are still bearable. Plan your visit around new moon. Check the weather forecast and cloud cover in advance using a specialist site such as Clearoutside. A maritime climate means rapidly changing weather, so a clear evening can turn in two hours. I would always book an extra night as a buffer.

Looking south and south-west you are looking out over the Wadden Sea, with almost no disruptive artificial light on the horizon. To the north, the North Sea. Both directions work. In summer the Milky Way core sits low in the south, so a low camera position with the flat dunes or the water as a foreground gives the most depth in your image.

Composition and focal points

The Boschplaat is flat and open. That calls for a strong foreground: marram grass, pools, sandy paths, or the tideline of the Wadden Sea. A wide-angle lens between 14mm and 24mm works well here. You can step back a long way and still capture a wide window of sky. With a slightly longer lens, say 50mm or 85mm, you can isolate details in the Milky Way when it is high enough.

For exposure I use the 500 rule as a starting point: divide 500 by your focal length to find the maximum shutter speed without visible star trails. At 20mm that gives you 25 seconds. ISO 1600 to 3200 is a good starting position for most cameras.

Practical information

The Boschplaat is a protected Natura 2000 area, managed by Staatsbosbeheer. Part of the reserve is closed seasonally due to nesting birds, usually from March through August. Outside that period the eastern tip is freely accessible via the walking paths. You can park at the point where the village of Oosterend meets the Boschplaat. Allow 45 minutes to an hour on foot to reach the darkest sections.

Dress warmly, more so than you think you will need. Nights on Terschelling can feel bitterly cold even in September because of the sea wind. And a red torch is standard: it does not affect your night vision and means you avoid disturbing other photographers.

Sources and further reading

• Staatsbosbeheer – De Boschplaat
• Wadden.nl – Terschelling
• Dark Sky Nederland