There are four villages on the eastern coast: Wittdün, Nebel, Norddorf and Steenodde. The western half of the island is occupied by a large dune area; the highest dune is 32 m high.
While Nebel, Norddorf and Steenodde are very old Frisian hamlets, the small town of Wittdün was founded as a seaside resort in the 19th century. It is now the largest inhabited place on the island and includes the ferry port, which provides ferry connections to Dagebüll (on the mainland) and Wyk (on Föhr). Cars are allowed on the island, although there is just one single road.