11 Best Beaches on Jersey, Channel Islands

Renowned for its beautiful sands and clear waters, the Island’s beaches have been earmarked as some of the cleanest in Europe … which is why their one of my top reasons to visit Jersey.

All round the island, great pockets of seaside fun can be found which, due to Jersey’s topography, vary greatly.

From mini deep-water harbours, to long stretching sandy beaches with rolling waves, there really is a beach to suit every occasion here.

As an Islander and keen beach go-er, I’ve got a great level of local knowledge, so have picked out my favourite 11 beaches in Jersey, Channel Islands to make things easier for you!

 

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#1 Beauport, St Brelade

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes
• Accessibility: Difficult
• Bus Route: closest bus stops on Routes 12a & 14
• Public Toilets: No
• Food & Drink Facilities: No
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: No

Straight in at number 1, is probably my all-time favourite beach in Jersey.

The picturesque setting of this quiet and remote bay, make it ideal on a beautiful sunny day, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking to get away from the crowds.

Surrounded by cliffs on three sides, it’s only a series of steep steps that lead you down to this bay.

This, as well as a lack of facilities (no toilets, no cafe etc), make it a wonderfully peaceful haven.

The top of the beach is stony, but as soon as the tide starts to go out there is lots of lovely white sand to enjoy.

Swimming is fantastic at this south-facing bay, as its horseshoe shape keeps things calm and the sea a little warmer!

The wonderfully clear local waters are shown off to their full effect here; the water is pristine; making it the perfect spot for snorkelling.

Beauport is the place I always take visitors to the island first – it never fails to impress!

 

#2 Grève de Lecq, St Ouen

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes
• Accessibility: Fairly easy
• Bus Route: 9
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: Yes

The beautiful red-yellow colour of its sand makes Grève de Lecq that little bit different and one of the best beaches in Jersey.

This sheltered, north facing beach is popular with families due to its ample parking and great facilities.

Kids love it here, with fantastic rocks to climb and plentiful rock pools to explore, as well as great ‘sandcastle sand’; there is something to keep everyone busy. 

A firm favourite with local children is trying to dam the natural stream that runs down the northernmost end of the bay; follow the shouts of delight and you will be sure to find it!

Swimming here is safe and easy as the tide never goes out too far. 

The sea here can get a little rough, but there are lifeguards on duty during the summer season for extra peace of mind.

A quaint, flat promenade encircles the bay; a quick stroll will take you along its length and out to the pier with its great views; you can even stop to investigate the German bunkers (a relic of the Nazi Occupation of the island in WW2) along the way.

There are also a couple of great cafes here, Colleens being a firm local favourite (and the place to sample one of the best crab sandwiches Jersey has to offer), as well as a number of nice pubs.

One of them, the Moulin de Lecq, initially dates back the 12^th century, when it was one of Jersey’s ancient watermills and still retains some wonderfully traditional features.

This picturesque pub has a delicious pub food menu, an outdoor children’s play area and is dog (and horse!) friendly.

 

#3 St Brelade’s Bay, St Brelade

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes
• Accessibility: Easy
• Bus Route: 12a and 14
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: Yes

Probably the most tourist-friendly beach in Jersey, St Brelade’s Bay perched on the south west corner of the island, has more of a traditional English seaside vibe than most of the other beaches on my list.

Voted in the Top 3 UK beaches in 2019 by TripAdvisor users, this bustling beach is popular with locals and visitors alike for its golden sand, range of eateries and other facilities and safe swimming.

There is plenty of parking along the length of St Brelade’s Bay, but be aware that at some of the car parks you will be expected to pay (you can do this using paycards which can be purchased from either of the small souvenir shops in the bay, or by using the paybyphone app).

There are absolutely tonnes of activities to suit all ages and abilities at St Brelade’s beach, which is why I rate it as one of the best beaches in Jersey.

Stand up paddle boarding and SUP yoga are on offer here, as well as kayaking, pedalos and various other water sports.

At high tide you will often see the local children pier jumping from the end of the pier: not an activity for the faint of heart!

Kids are brilliantly catered for at St Brelade’s beach, with plenty of activities to keep them entertained including trampolining, volleyball and a firm favourite – banana boat rides!

St Brelade is also one of the most accessible beaches in Jersey.

Local charity BeachAbility offer manual, ballooned wheelchairs that can be used on the beach and there are numerous ramps across the flat promenade that lead down to the sand.

Undoubtably one of the best areas to eat out on the island, St Brelade’s Bay has cafes, bars and restaurants aplenty.

From pizza and ice-creams to gorgeous fresh seafood dishes, you will be spoilt for choice here, guaranteed that whatever you choose, your meal will be accompanied by stunning sea views.

 

#4 Green Island, St Clement

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes
• Accessibility: Fairly Easy
• Bus Route: 1
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: No

Green Island, tucked into the south-eastern corner of Jersey, is a local favourite, especially amongst young families.

Boasting clean, soft white sand, rocks to climb and more rock pools than you will ever be able to investigate, children love it here.

And with ample parking, toilet facilities and a great little café/restaurant Green Island is a great, safe choice for those with kids.

It is also a fabulous shell beach and a great place to find sea glass and other treasures, so make sure to take along a bucket to collect these beautiful jewels of the sea.

This small cove is an absolute sun trap and very sheltered – perfect for sunbathing – which is why I have listed it in my 11 best beaches in Jersey.

If you wander along the beach away from the car park, you are sure to find a peaceful spot to bask in.

The bay is named after the little grassy rock of La Motte which you can access and explore at low tide for a uniquely Jersey adventure.

This tiny ‘island’ is cut off from shore at high tide, so make sure you check tide times before you venture out.

The tide goes out an incredibly long way (Jersey has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world) at Green Island and moves very quickly as it comes in, so if you plan to swim or paddle try to pick times close to high water to visit.

 

#5 St Ouen’s Bay, St Ouen

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes
• Accessibility: Easy in most areas
• Bus Route: 22
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the summer: Yes, but only at La Braye, El Tico, Le Port & The WaterSplash.

The island’s main surfing beach, this Atlantic facing, long stretch of clean, white sand spans almost the entire west coast of Jersey.

As such there is a wide array of places to eat, drink, park, play, swim and sun yourself the whole way along the few miles of stunning coastline.

This bay is also a great place to hang out, with a real sense of community and buzz going on here, from live music at the Watersplash to local seafood at fantastic prices.

There is also plenty for kids to do down at St Ouens.

Surfing lessons are available at several locations along the bay, or there is always swimming and boogie boarding for those slightly less adventurous.

Rock pools aplenty cover the bay at low tide and the beach is so vast that there is always room for beach games or kite flying on a windy day.

St Ouen’s is where we would always go as a family to the beach when we were young, and then later where I would choose to go as a teenager with friends.

This is why, like many Islanders, St Ouen’s Bay holds a special place in my heart and is why it’s made it onto my list of best beaches in Jersey.

Oh, and it’s also THE place to catch a stellar sunset as the sun dips down below Rocco Tower, which is definitely one of the most memorable free things to do in Jersey too!

 

#6 Royal Bay of Grouville, Grouville

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes
• Accessibility: Easy
• Bus Route: 1, 1a & 2
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: No

Known to locals as ‘Long Beach’, the Royal Bay of Grouville gained its rather showy official name when Queen Victoria, visiting the island in 1859, was so enamoured with the long stretch of white sand that she asked to have it renamed.

Royalty are not the only ones to be won over by the charms of this gorgeous bay; soft, clean sand and calm sheltered waters, perfect for swimming, make this a beach not to be missed, and definitely one of my top 11 beaches in Jersey.

Sitting in the shadow of the stunning 13^th century Mont Orgueil Castle, and nestled beside the cute sea-side village of Gorey, Long Beach feels gentle and friendly and oozes old-fashioned charm.

Plenty of parking, public toilets, as well as several beach kiosks (Rhona’s at the Beach being locally famous for their fabulous fish-finger sandwiches), as well as a great choice of pubs and restaurants, makes this a great place to spend a day for visitors, families and locals alike.

Gorey Water Sports Centre rent out paddleboards and kayaks for those wanting a wonderfully chilled way to explore the calm, crystal-clear waters of the bay.

For those looking for a bit more excitement there is also water skiing, wakeboarding and banana boat rides on offer throughout the summer months.

This is a super safe swimming beach, although the tide does go out a long way.

At high tide the calm waters are one of the many reasons this beach is very popular with families.

There is even a sandy beachside playground which is bound to delight younger children, and Stuart’s ice-cream van located on the common at the end of the gravel car park, is a local institution, loved by both parents and children for its scrummy ice-creams and friendly service.

I love this beach for sunbathing, as its sheltered location makes it an absolute sun trap!

 

#7 Rozel, St Martin

Quick Facts

• Parking: Limited
• Accessibility: Easy
• Bus Route: 3
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: No

Home to local favourite The Hungry Man Cafe, Rozel Bay is a small but perfectly formed harbour on Jersey’s north-eastern coast.

Surrounded by rolling green hills and still a working fishing port, this quaint little beach exudes character and charm.

On a clear day a walk to the end of Rozel Pier will treat to you to fabulous views out to sea and across to the French coast in the distance.

The beach itself is a mixture of soft sand and pebbled areas.

There is a large expanse of rocks to climb, complete with fabulous rock pools to explore.

Anyone looking for a bite to eat whilst down at Rozel is in for a real treat.

The Hungry Man Café, perched on the pier is one of Jersey’s most loved eateries and somewhere I always take any friends who are visiting the island.

Really no more than a tiny shack, the Hungry Man has tables along the pier where ducks will waddle around your feet waiting for scraps.

Serving delicious crab sandwiches as well as burgers, breakfast rolls, hot chocolates and ice-creams, the food here is second to none, but it is the character of this tiny building that has people returning whenever they visit.

Tucked into the valley at the back of Rozel Bay is The Rozel Pub & Dining; the perfect spot for some cold Jersey beer and fantastic pub food.

Live music is often on offer on the terrace here during the summer months.

If you take the cliff path at the eastern end of the bay a short hike will lead you to Le Couperon Dolmen, one of Jersey’s mysterious Neolithic sites.

Debate still rages over exactly what ancient Jersey inhabitants used Dolmens for, but most agree that they were certainly sites of spiritual, religious and community significance.

The scattering of Dolmens remaining on the island certainly give off an air of importance and visiting them is another of my top free things to do in Jersey.

Rozel is another beach that holds a special place in my heart as I spent many childhood days here with my family, pier jumping from the end of the small pier, and you will often see the next generation of Jersey children enjoying the exact same fun!

 

#8 Bonne Nuit, St John

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes, but limited
• Accessibility: Easy
• Bus Route: 4
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: No

Not far from where I grew up, this cute little harbour beach is full of character.

A nice pit stop if you are enjoying the north coast cliff paths, Bonne Nuit can be found at the bottom of a steep hill.

Parking is tight, but there is always plenty of action going on here, from the coming and going of the local fishing boats that still use the harbour, to pier-jumping kids.

The beach is very small, but has some clean, white sand at the top, before getting stony as the tide ebbs its way out.

Kids love to explore the trees that tuck into the back of the bay.

With some fabulous ones to climb, as well as a rope swing from, and fresh-water pools that often contain eels, this will be sure to bring out their adventurous side!

Due to its northern positioning, swimming can be a bit chillier at Bonne Nuit, but lying against the sun-baked stone harbour walls after a swim, makes for a great way to warm up.

At night, Bonne Nuit maintains its great sense of personality with a lovely Thai Café that opens on the slip.

Enjoy BYO alcohol with some spicy Thai food as you watch the twinkling lights of the bay on the lapping waves of the rising tide.

 

#9 Plemont, St Ouen

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes
• Accessibility: Difficult
• Bus Route: 8
• Public Toilets:
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: Yes

A great beach for exploring, Plemont’s main claim to fame is its cave network and natural fresh-water waterfall, which provide something quite different on the island.

The unique caves at Plemont are accessible from the beach at low tide and are both exciting and enchanting in equal measure.

It goes without saying that the utmost care must be taken when exploring the caves; and occasionally access is restricted if rock falls are making the area too dangerous for the public.

If you are willing to get wet, you can climb through the waterfall to the cave behind; this offers a fabulous photo op as you are framed by a curtain of water with the sunshine behind.

Plemont sits at the end of the headland, so there is a steep walk down steps to this sandy beach, but the handy café, perfectly situated at the top of the steps, can help you on your way (it also sells some of the best ice-cream on the island; a great way to cool down after your walk).

Make sure you check out the tide times before a trip down to Plemont.

The beach disappears completely at high tide and access to the steps up to the car park can be cut off by the rising tide well before that – so keep an eye on that sea at all times!

I love Plemont, because the view of the green and purple heather headland, set against the blue sea and the golden sand of a summer’s day make for a stunning setting.

The area’s rocky cliffs are also a breeding ground for the endangered puffin; but were thankfully recently reclaimed by the National Trust for Jersey as an area to be protected from development.

Two enormous woven puffin sculptures stand guard on the cliff tops overlooking the bay, as a reminder of the need to protect the remaining breeding pairs of puffins that call Jersey their home.

 

#10 Harve Des Pas, St Helier

Quick Facts

• Parking: No
• Accessibility: Fairly easy
• Bus Route: 1 & 1a
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: Yes

For a completely different Jersey beach experience, head down to the Victorian Lido and bathing pool at Harve Des Pas.

Just a short walk from St Helier town centre, the Lido’s gorgeous art-deco style boardwalk takes you out to the bathing pool which is naturally cleaned whenever it gets filled by the high tide.

Opened in 1895 and becoming especially popular in the 1920’s and 30’s the pool remains a bit of a Jersey icon, especially as it’s a popular cold water swimming spot year round.

After a full refurb in 2000, the modern lido now boasts a new café and terrace overlooking the pool as well as changing facilities.

Harve Des Pas is a brilliantly safe place to swim and one of the only places on the island that you can guarantee being able to swim, even on a very low tide.

Lifeguards are on site throughout the summer to ensure everyone’s safety.

You won’t be short of choice for places to eat and drink around Harve De Pas either.

Several beach kiosks, bars and restaurants line the seafront (my favourite is The Good Egg) as well as the café on the Lido itself.

One weekend a year (dates change annually) the beach here plays host to the Harve Des Pas Seaside Festival.

With live music, entertainment, street food and fairground rides, should your trip to Jersey coincide with the festival dates this is definitely something not to be missed!

 

#11 Ouasiné, St Brelade

Quick Facts

• Parking: Yes
• Accessibility: Fairly easy
• Bus Route: 12a
• Public Toilets: Yes
• Food & Drink Facilities: Yes
• Lifeguards on Duty in the Summer: No

Ouaisné Bay (pronounced ‘way-nay’) is the wilder, less commercialised little sister of its neighbour St Brelade’s Bay, and the two beaches become connected at low tide.

Sheltered and south-west facing, the wide expanse of golden sand at Ouasiné is perfect for an afternoon sunbathing, and the secluded bay is a popular one with locals.

Due to its sheltered location, Ouasiné is one of my favourite places on the island to spend time on my stand up paddle board.

And this is why it has made my list of top 11 beaches in Jersey!

SUP is a fantastic way to unwind, surround yourself with nature and see parts of the island that you would never be able to reach on foot.

One fascinating example is the jagged headland that shelters the bay.

This is home to one of the most important Stone Age archaeological sites in Europe, La Cotte de St Brelade.

Still a working archaeological site, La Cotte is a huge ravine, inside which thousands of discoveries have been made including stone age tools and remains of woolly mammoths.

As you paddle in a southerly direction from the beach you get one of the best views of the site available to us non-archaeologists!

It honestly is breathtaking!

Ouasiné boasts fewer amenities than its bustling next door neighbour, however there is plenty of parking and easily accessible public toilets.

Kismet Cabana beach kiosk offers breakfast rolls, street food, drinks and ice-creams as well as delicious alfresco dinners at the weekend.

The wonderfully rustic Old Smugglers Inn has been offering refreshment to weary travellers (and beachgoers) since the 17^th century.

Serving local ales and hearty pub food and with proper log fires in the winter months, the Smugglers has an abundance of character and charm inside its wonky, farmhouse-type building.

 

 

Mini Travel Guide to Jersey

Getting There

Flying from the UK can be done cheaply, with easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways all flying to Jersey.

Check out Skyscanner for some great deals.

Otherwise, catch the ferry from Poole, Portsmouth, St Malo in France or Guernsey.

Learn more about how to travel to Jersey from London in this complete guide I wrote.

 

When to Visit

May through September are the best months to visit the island in my opinion.

 

How Long to Spend There

3-7 days is a great amount of time to get a feel for all Jersey has to offer.

 

Getting Around Jersey

Walking is free and easy across this small island, or there is a good local bus service – Liberty Bus – which has a very cost-effective set of Hop-On Hop-Off passes, perfect for visitors.

You can also rent bikes.

Sadly Uber hasn’t reached Jersey yet, so you’d be better to hire a car if you’re looking for some independence when it comes to transport.

 

Where to Stay

Check out my top pick for places to stay in Jersey here.

 

Eating in Jersey

Supermarkets such as Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and the Co-Op are found across the island, but if you want to buy local for your picnic, then look out for roadside stalls and farm shops as more ethical options.

Or why not check out Jersey’s Central Market and Fresh Fish Market in St Helier?

Great restaurants can also be found across the island – St Helier, St Aubin and Gorey are the best areas to head for when dining out.

 

Packing Essentials for Jersey

• Comfy Travel Pillow
• Go Water Filter Bottle
• Floating Dry Bag
• Waterproof Walking Shoes
• Windproof Breathable Jacket

 

eSIM for Jersey

Most UK phone plans count Jersey as a roaming destination

Check out aloSIM for easy, eSIM connections that won’t incur hefting roaming fees.

 

Travel Insurance

World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

 

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So, those are my top 11 beaches in Jersey.

Whether you are after surfing or sunbathing, exploring or eating, swimming or sandcastle building, rock-pooling or reading in the shade, Jersey will have a beach that will suit you perfectly.

Just remember that there are huge tidal movements in Jersey, so whichever beach you’re heading to, always check the tide timetable before setting off and do take care when swimming, fishing, rock pooling or surfing.

Now that you have read about my favourite beaches, what are yours?

 

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