The best beaches in Jersey Channel Islands
Jersey, the biggest island in the UK’s Channel Islands, situated a mere 14 miles from the coast of France, is known for it’s beautiful beaches, stunning coastal walks and pumping surf.
Being officially the warmest place in the UK, Jersey boasts a mild climate being sunnier and warmer than the mainland.
We visit Jersey every year to visit relatives. My husband grew up there so we have local knowledge of the best beaches in Jersey and can’t wait to share our tips with you.
Jersey is a fantastic place to go for families, especially now Covid 19 has shrunk our world for the moment. If you’re planning to go to Jersey, checking out the amazing the beaches will be your number one activity.
Plus there’s plenty of other things to do in Jersey! Did you know Jersey was occupied for five years during WW2? So as well as some fascinating historical castles, the island also tells an incredible story of the occupation at the War Tunnels museum.
What kind of beaches does Jersey in the Channel Islands have?
Jersey is known for it’s golden sandy beaches.
Being a small island, of course, Jersey has beaches around the entire island. Each beach is different depending on it’s location, tide, wind and season. There are beaches in Jersey for everyone.
Jersey has plenty of idyllic sandy beaches and some pebble beaches too.
There are lots of beaches perfect for swimming, whilst others are pumping with surf or ideal for kayaking or stand up paddle boarding. For example rockpoolers or coasteerers should head to one beach while surfers will head to another.
There are beaches for every water sports activity, so knowing which beaches in Jersey are the best spots for say kayaking, swimming or surfing will help plan your time there.
It’s also helpful to know which beaches will be the most sheltered from wind according to where it’s coming from.
ALWAYS check the tide times for Jersey before making plans and setting out. Tide times for Jersey are printed daily in the local paper, the Jersey Evening Post, or booklets for the year can be bought in any local shop. You can also check Magic Seaweed.
The tide in Jersey has one of the largest tidal waters in the world which almost staggeringly doubles the size of the island twice a day. Even some of the best beaches in Jersey can be dangerous. The most important thing to do before heading to the beaches in Jersey is to check the weather and the tide.
Jersey beaches coast by coast
Each coast of Jersey is different from the other. Lets talk through this first before I tell you our top 7 best beaches in Jersey so you can understand the geography of Jersey and where to head to for each activity.
➳ West coast of Jersey
The West coast of Jersey faces directly onto the Atlantic Ocean – perfect for big swell that creates pumping surf. Jersey is known for it’s long history of surfing (with the oldest surf club in Europe) and so the surf scene here is BIG. St Ouens beach on the west of the island is where you need to head to for surf shacks, surf rental, surf lessons and well epic surf!
➳ North coast of Jersey
The North coast of Jersey is wild and rugged. It’s here you’ll find incredible cliff walks and secret coves. High cliffs plunging into the sea create a dramatic backdrop punctuated by pretty harbours such as Rozel or Bonne Nuit.
➳ East coast of Jersey
With ridiculously large tides (some of the largest in the world!) the treacherous rocks of the East coast of Jersey transform into rock pool heaven at low tide.
It’s important to realise the danger of the tide in Jersey, especially here on the East coast. The tide comes in extremely quickly and can be deceiving with deep channels where the tide rushes through. It can easily cut you off. People have died here so beware: rock pool close to shore or go with a professional. There are many walking tours in Jersey that take you out to these areas.
➳ South coast of Jersey
The beaches on the south coast of Jersey are shallow and warm and are generally safe. Again the tide comes in fast but with the large expanse of sand, it’s easy to keep an eye on it.
Are Jersey’s beaches dangerous?
The tide in Jersey has one of the largest tidal waters in the world which almost staggeringly doubles the size of the island twice a day. Even some of the best beaches in Jersey can be dangerous. The most important thing to do before heading to the beaches in Jersey is to check the weather and the tide.
8 best beaches in Jersey, Channel Islands
1. St Ouens – the best beach on Jersey for surfing & sunsets
best for: surfers and sunsets
The glorious sands of St Ouens beach (pronounced St Wands) span the entire length of the west coast of the Jersey and is often touted as the best beach in Jersey.
Out of all Jersey Island beaches, St Ouens is the only consistent surf beach. With regular swell rolling in from the Atlantic, surfers flock here to ride the waves of this shapely beach break.
St Ouens beach is perfect for beginners to advanced surfers depending on the swell, tides and conditions. It’s always busy, however the beach is so large you’d never even notice.
The big surf scene here has a great sense of community with surfer’s gathering in the carparks or especially on the wall outside The Watersplash beach bar/club. Many of the bar/restaurants host live music during the summer.
It’s a great place to rock up in your car or van and simply park and watch the ocean.
St Ouens Bay is also the place to head to for unforgettable sunsets. Watch with awe as the sky turns red and the sun disappears over the sea and below the horizon.
The road parallel to the beach (“the 5 mile road”) has plenty of spots to grab a bacon roll and check the surf. You can rent surfboards or book lessons at many spots along the front.
The iconic landmark of Rocco Tower, the imposing Napoleonic defence fort, is to the left side of the bay and it’s actually possible to stay overnight in the tower with a guide. Book through Jersey Heritage.
PARKING: easy, free parking overlooking the beach.
FACILITIES: plenty of facilities from toilets to beach shacks, restaurants etc
TIPS FROM LOCALS ON ST OUENS BEACH
★ There are some lovely walks at La Miele du Morville – the common opposite the beach. Great for dog walking.
★ Good bacon baps at The Hideaway at ‘La Pulente’ (beach closer to Corbiere lighthouse).
★ Try visiting at high tide with big swell for exhilarating back wash spray over the sea wall. For super high tides, you’ll find it busy with locals all heading down to watch the sea hit the wall – it’s pretty cool.
2. Ouaisne – the best beach in Jersey for stretches of golden, empty sands
best for:
getting away from crowds | nature lovers | dog walkers | stand up paddle | kayak | breakfast burritos | history buffs
Ouaisne is, in my opinion, the best beach in Jersey UK. It’s the understated little brother beach of popular St Brelades beach (the two beaches connect at low tide).
Whilst St Brelades is zoo’d out with tourists with it’s busy watersports industry, Ouaisne has a lovely wild feel with a protected common, ideal for dog walking or child running, backing away from the sea wall.
Ouaisne is only ever frequented by dog walkers, a few BBQers and is never busy. It’s absolute heaven for those looking for wild walks and safe swimming. Ouaisne beach grades gently so swimming is safe for children.
Interestingly Ouaisne is also home to the La Cotte, one of Europe’s most important Ice Age sites.
PARKING: easy, free parking at the beach side carpark
FACILITIES: toilets in the car park + Kismet Cabana food shack
TIPS FROM LOCALS ON OUAISNE BEACH
★ don’t miss a pint with a steak & ale pie at The Smuggler’s Inn traditional pub
★ walk along to the end of sea wall & follow the path to a lovely bench on the point jutting out that separates Ouaisne beach from St Brelades – it’s perfect on a wild, windy day or a beautiful summer’s day
★ try an all day breakfast burritos at Kismet Cabana in the car park – unbelievably good!
3. St Brelades – the best beach in Jersey for watersports & deck chairs
best for: large groups | banana boat fun | renting kayaks | pier jumping | young families
St Brelades, an extensive sandy beach on the south west of Jersey is hands down the best beach on Jersey for watersports – think banana rides, jet skis, hiring kayaks, stand up paddle boards or even sailing dinghies. The beach has an easy ramp to allow sea access for vehicles towing boats etc.
St Brelades (pronounced St Brelardes) also the most popular beach on Jersey for the wind break, deck chair brigade. Large groups gather here in their hoards. With it’s easy accessibility and numerous facilities, young families and oldies flock here.
One of our favourite things to do on Jersey is to hire a kayak from St Brelades at high tide and kayak round to Beauport beach (next bay round to the right). At high tide you’ll find Beauport with the tiniest bit of sand left and no-one there! It’s like a secret beach. Very special. Beauport beach features next.
PARKING: several paying carparks on the road behind the beach. Very busy in peak summer.
FACILITIES: plenty. The front has many shops and restaurants from Pizza Express to grand hotels.
TIPS FROM LOCALS ON ST BRELADE’S BEACH
★ at high tide, the pier at St Brelades is fun to jump off. There’s always a gaggle of local kids so be sure to ask if you’re uncertain whether the tide is high enough.
★ hire a kayak from Absolute Adventures and paddle round to Beauport beach at high tide
★ get there early to park on weekends or peak summer weeks
4. Beauport – best beach in Jersey for wilderness
best for: seclusion | kayak round to | adventuring at high tide
Beauport is definitely one of the best Jersey Island beaches. It’s always quite quiet because it’s off the beaten track, has zero facilities and not super accessible with numerous steps down to it.
It’s also one of the best beaches in Jersey to visit at high tide if you approach from the sea (hire a SUP or kayak from St Brelades and paddle round). High tide transforms this beach into a tiny secluded, often empty beach. The tide swells around the large triangular rock offering great cliff jumping opportunities. We cannot recommend this experience enough to anyone visiting Jersey with a sense of adventure. We try to kayak round to Beauport on every annual visit with the kids. It’s not dangerous at all but be sure to check the wind, tides and conditions beforehand.
PARKING: free carpark at the cliff top
FACILITIES: none
TIPS FROM LOCALS ON BEAUPORT BEACH
★ hire a kayak at high tide and paddle round from St Brelades with a picnic – you might well have it to yourself
★ there’s a lovely 10-15 minute circular coastal walk from the car park which gives incredible views of the beach
5. Portlet Beach – the best beach in Jersey for snorkelling
best for: snorkelling, swimming & exploring
best for: exploring | wild swimming
Portlet is one of the best beaches in Jersey for it’s picturesque sheltered cove, complete with tidal island of l’Île au Guerdain (otherwise known as Jamborin’s tomb).
Featuring an iconic Martello tower, Portlet beach is a fantastic place to explore. Swim out at high tide or walk out at low tide.
Portlet’s protected cove makes this the best beach in Jersey for snorkelling and wild swimming. It’s a safe place for families to swim.
With the over hundred steps down to reach this idyllic spot, it’s always a quiet beach and you can often have it to yourself.
Of course it was much more beautiful before the ugly apartments reared their ugly heads but once you’re on the beach, you can’t even see them.
The beach features an excellent pizza restaurant on the beach. We often kayak round from Ouaisne for lunch here.
PARKING: large free car park on top of the cliff
FACILITIES: pub at top of the cliff, pizza restaurant on the beach. Accessibility to the beach can be hard due to around 100 steps down to the beach
TIPS FROM LOCALS ON PORTLET BEACH
★ only take what you need down to Portlet beach – the steps back up are long!
★ kayak round from Ouaisne beach at high tide for lunch – for experienced kayakers only with older children! Check tide times & weather forecasts before venturing out – it can be bumpy around the point
6. Plemont – the best beach in Jersey for sea caves
best for: exciting caves | waterfalls
Situated on the north coast of Jersey, Plemont beach is famous for it’s caves and waterfall. It’s a great place to explore with the kids and the tide doesn’t go out too far. However be aware of it’s heavy shore break surf if there’s big swell (a good surf spot when St Ouens is big and blown out). RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach.
There’s a beach cafe at the top with lots of steps down to the beach so it can be a killer on the way back up. Plemont is a great place to access the coast path for wild and windy walks along the dramatic north coast of Jersey. Highly recommended.
PARKING: Parking close to the beach on the hill down to the cafe can be difficult. There’s a small turning circle at the bottom so if there are no spaces head to the large car park higher up at the top of the hill which is free. If you plan to head here on the weekend or peak summer, arrive early.
FACILITIES: café at the top of steps and toilets
TIPS FROM LOCALS ON PLEMONT BEACH
★ at high tide the beach completely disappears so plan your visit at low tide
★ the caves are unmissable with kids
★ the coastal walk starting at Plement heading east to Greve de Lecq is stunning
★ Plemont beach can have weaver fish hidden under the sand at low tide that can give a very nasty sting. Avoid this by wearing booties & checking with lifeguards
7. Greve de Lecq – the best beach in Jersey for coasteering
best for: coasteering
Greve de Lecq is a smaller, north coast beach very popular with families as the tide doesn’t go out very far, it’s lifeguarded and has plenty of facilities and easy parking.
It’s also the best beach in Jersey for coasteering. The cliffs on the right hand side provide some excellent cliff jumping spots at high tide.
PARKING: two large car parks serve the beach. Both are free to park.
FACILITIES: large shop, several cafes, easy access from car park
TIPS FROM LOCALS ON GREVE DE LECQ BEACH
★ the cliffs to the right of the bay are brilliant cliff jumping spots at high tide. Copy the locals and ask if in doubt
★ Colleens, a cafe at the far end is very popular and serves great fare. Busy in summer
★ Greve de Lecq beach can have weaver fish hidden under the sand at low tide that can give a very nasty sting. Avoid this by wearing booties & checking with lifeguards
8. Green Island – best beach in Jersey for rock pooling
best for: rock pooling and swimming
Green Island beach on the south east coast of Jersey is a gem completely off the radar for most tourists.
The beach takes its name from the tidal island called La Motte which you can walk out to at low tide.
Green island is popular for swimming as the water is lovely and warm from the shallow beach. It’s a safe place to swim given how shallow it is and because it receives less swell.
But what makes Green Island so special is the spectacular rock pooling to be found there. The crystal clear water in the myriad of rock pools here are teeming with life.
PARKING: free medium sized car park which can get full in peak season or on weekends
FACILITIES: toilets in the car park and beach cafe selling ice creams & takeaway food
TIPS FROM LOCALS ON GREEN ISLAND BEACH
★ the tide comes in and out very quickly at Green Island so check tide times before walking out too far or to the island. If you get cut off, you’ll have to wait to be rescued on the island
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