The Best Beaches in Jersey, Channel Islands

This south-facing horseshoe bay, with no facilities and a series of steep steps from the cliff to the bottom, still has to be one of Jersey’s finest beaches – one of its main attractions being that not so many people will venture here. It’s a peaceful haven which changes as the tides do; when the tide is in, the beach is pebbly, but when it is out, the sea unveils gorgeously soft sand and almost doubles the beach in size. Beauport is one for those long summer days, as it keeps the sun from dawn until dusk.

Bonne Nuit may be small, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in character. Parking can be a little tight, but there is always plenty going on as you bake in the sun, from boats coming and going to children jumping off the harbour wall. This is a north-facing beach, and so the water can be a bit chillier, but there’s no better way to warm up than by lying back on the sun-heated rocks after a dip. At night, a sweet Thai restaurant opens up on the slip, where you are free to BYOB as you dine with the sea slowly ebbing towards you. Bonne Nuit is also a great pitstop for a dip and a snooze if you’re tramping the north coast.

Plemont is a great little beach for exploring, so perfect if you’ve got the kids in tow, and is famous for its network of caves and a natural waterfall. This beach sits at the end of a headland, and there’s a steep pathway to and from the sand, but there’s also a great little cafe perched at the top of the steps, so you can have a breather with a nice glass of vino if it takes your fancy. The cliffs here sing with purple heather contrasting against the blue sea in the background, and are also protected from development due to a colony of puffins who breed here.

Recently voted the third-best beach in the whole of the United Kingdom, St Brelade is a beach which changes frequently with the tides, wind and sun. The sand here is white, and the beach itself south-facing, making it one of the island’s more popular places to throw down a towel and gather some friends. Water sports are also popular here, and the sheltered waters are the perfect place to try your hand at paddleboarding, kayaking or sailing. There are tons of first-class restaurants all along the promenade, but expect to pay a premium.

Tucked away in the southwest corner of the island, Greve de Lecq is popular with families, due to its safe waters and plenty of parking. The sand here is a rich red-yellow colour, which is unique to this part of the island, making it one of the more popular spots on the island. There are a couple of cafes here, and a lifeguard on duty during the summer months.

This stretch of sand which leads into the Atlantic spreads almost the whole way up and down the west coast of Jersey. It’s popular with surfers, as the sets are regular and reliable, but it doesn’t have the cliquey vibe that sometimes comes with the sport. There’s a real sense of community on this beach, with bars hosting live music and friends bumping into each other by accident most days. Oh, and St Ouen’s is also the place to find the best sunset on the island, with the sun sinking gloriously into the sea right ahead.