Grab the bucket & Spade! Head to Jersey for some autumn sunshine and perfect beaches.
Less than an hour’s flight from the south coast, Jersey is one of the warmest places in Britain and perfect for a late summer getaway. The countryside is beautiful and the island offers plenty of history, culture, excellent dining and attractions for the whole family to enjoy – but of course one of the biggest draws are the beaches. Miles of unspoilt golden sand, idyllic hidden bays, rock pools, safe swimming, and perfect conditions for water sports mean long lazy days spent on the beach, relaxing and soaking up the sun. Jersey has the third largest tidal range in the world, after the Bay of Fundy in Eastern Canada and the Severn Estuary, meaning that the sea can go out for miles. At low tide it is possible to walk beyond the sand and on the sea bed itself, just be careful when the tide starts to come in again!
Jersey has beaches to suit everyone, including:
The family-friendly one: St Brelade’s Bay
On the south-west coast, St Brelade’s Bay is one of Jersey’s most beautiful beaches, and a perfect spot for visitors to stake claim to their own patch of sand on a long sunny afternoon. The beach itself is a long stretch of soft, golden sand that shelves gently ensuring safe bathing at all tide levels. As well as obligatory sand castle-making and splashing in the sea, there are plenty of activities for kids of all ages including beach volleyball, trampolines, pedalos and more, plus cafés, beach kiosks and bars. St Brelade’s is also a Marine Conservation Society recommended beach for 2013.
The Best for Watersports: Gorey
A tiny harbour village on the east coast, Gorey occupies the closest headland to France. Here between June and August, a fantastic choice of water sports is available, from banana rides and water skiing exhilarating speedboat trips and self-drive motor dinghies for hire. Don a mask and snorkel to explore the rock pools exposed at low tide and search for limpets, mussels, winkles, whelks, shrimps, anemones, crabs, star fish and more. When not exploring the water, visit the attractive castle of Mont Orgueil, once the first defence against the French, overlooking the village.
The surfer’s paradise: St Ouens Bay
Stretching over five miles and washed twice daily by the waves of the Atlantic, St Ouen’s Bay is thought by many residents and visitors to be the finest. Also recommended by the Marine Conservation Society, the beach is a favourite with surfers – the surf here can be magnificent and rivals any surfing beaches in the world, although it can be powerful so less experienced swimmers take not! There is also a choice of other water sports on offer including windsurfing and sand yachting.
The hidden one: The locals say that Plemont Bay (top) on Jersey’s north west coast is the island’s best kept secret! The beach is covered at high tide and there are steep steps down so it’s not for the faint hearted, but well worth the effort. Right beside the steps is a beautiful waterfall and the beach itself is sandy and pristine, with lots of shallow pools which are lovely and warm. There are rock pools and cliffs to explore and it is even possible to walk right through the waterfall to explore the dramatic caves behind. There are also gorgeous views from the top all the way across to Sark and Guernsey, as well as a real treasure of a cafe serving American breakfasts as well as all the usual Jersey specials like crab sandwiches and cream teas.
Getting there:
FlyJersey.com are offering every third night free on autumn stays at the Ambassadeur Hotel, just across the road from the beach in St Helier. The offer means that prices start from as little as £279 per person for stays between 25th and 30th September. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick with airport parking, car hire, and three nights’ accommodation on bed and breakfast basis. Departures are also available from a choice of over 24 UK airports, most with airport parking included. Visit www.flyjersey.com or call 0845 230 3240.
