Near By Channel Islands

The Channel Islands are quite simply a truly unique and delightful cruising ground. The waters around Alderney, Herm, Guernsey, Jersey and Sark have a distinctive blend of Anglo-Saxon and Gallic culture and history. You may be tempted by the clear waters, stunning beaches, plentiful sunshine and beautiful scenery. Or perhaps it's the excellent cuisine, low duty shopping and top-class attractions, both natural and man-made.

Our partners Jerseytravel.com offers island hopping accommodation for short breaks to Guernsey, Herm, Sark, Alderney and beyond through Bontour

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Alderney is often described as the most British of the Channel Islands.
Once ashore, you will discover that the third largest Channel Islands has an ancient and varied history, an abundance of flora and fauna and beautiful beaches. It is also a bird watchers delight, with colonies of puffins, fulmars and other seabirds. The island is particularly famous for its gannets, about 7,000 pairs nest each year. Among the more unusual residents are black rabbits and extremely rare blonde hedgehogs! With so many natural delights, the best way to enjoy the island is to hire a bike.
Ashore you will find there are no cars, no crowds and no stress.
The beaches are quite stunning on Herm, not least the famous Shell Beach where millions of small shells make up the sand, deposited by the Gulf Stream. The shallow water makes it popular for swimmers.
Even though it is small (total area of 500 acres) there is a lot to see and do on Herm, including visits to the well-preserved 10th century church and the Neolithic menhirs being Shell Beach. However, for most visitors it is pleasure enough to simply take a gentle stroll through the lush meadows, taking in the abundance of insects, birds and other wildlife and enjoying the magnificent views of Guernsey and Sark. https://www.bontour.co.uk/destinations/sark-herm-alderney
Island RIB day trip to Herm from Jersey
Trip Duration: 7/8 Hours

All of our Herm trips leave from St. Catherine’s Breakwater

http://www.islandribvoyages.co.uk/Book-Now/Default.aspx 

Guernsey

St Peter Port, the undoubted jewel in Guernsey’s crown, is one of the finest natural anchorages in the Channel Islands. The town is a captivating blend of styles, framed by tumble of terraces and tiered gardens, cris-crossed by worn steps and hidden alleys. St Peter Port’s historic Castle Cornet, the last Royalist stronghold of the English Civil War, is now home to a maritime museum. Outside of the town to the West, are the flat plains and rolling hills with views of the Atlantic; to the north is the sandy common known as L’Ancresse where fragrant paths weave through bracken and gorse. Fort Grey, on Guernsey’s rock west coast, houses the island’s Shipwreck Museum while the German Occupation Museum paints a vivid and moving picture of everyday island life during the Second World War. Guernsey is also home to one of the world’s smallest churches, the Little Chapel. https://www.bontour.co.uk/destinations/guernsey

“Images courtesy of VisitGuernsey”  http://www.visitguernsey.com/
Jersey

It might be tempting to stay within the confines of St Helier during a visit to Jersey, particularly with a shopping precinct, an award-winning maritime museum and a lively Waterfront development right by the marina. It is Jersey’s countryside, be it lush valleys, idyllic beaches or dramatic cliffs that provide the scenic highlights and so it pays to get out of town and explore. There are numerous heritage sites that reveal Jersey’s extraordinary history, not least the magnificent 13th century Mont Orgueil Castle at Gorey and the impressive 16th century Elizabethan Castle in St Aubin’s Bay. One of Jersey’s top attractions is the world-famous Durrell Wildlife Conservation Park. Set in beautiful grounds of a traditional manor house, it specialises in developing breeding programmes aimed at saving endangered species. Above all else though, enjoy Jersey’s natural attractions by exploring the 154 kms of “Green lanes” where pedestrians and cyclists have priority and you can safely enjoy the peace, colour, scent and beauty of the island’s countryside. https://www.bontour.co.uk/destinations/jersey

Sark is tiny and stunningly beautiful. As you approach the island’s small harbour, the first thing that strikes you is how lush and green the island is, with an abundance of wild flowers poking through the hedgerows. There are no cars in Sark, which means that the pace of life is relaxed and leisurely and there is a peace and tranquility that is hard to find elsewhere in the British Isles. Visitors and locals explore the island either on bikes or horse-drawn carriages. This island is home to approximately 600 people and you will find no better antidote to the hectic pace of modern life than to spend a few hours strolling around tranquil lanes.The gardens of La Seigneurie are well worth a visit, as are the church and tiny prison. There are some lovely spots for swimming, though unfortunately they all require a demanding walk up a steel cliff afterwards.There are plenty of pretty picnic spots around the island, or if you prefer, a wide choice of excellent cafes and restaurants serving the local seafood specialities. If you simply want to stop for afternoon tea, many of the locals serve cream teas in their back gardens to day-trippers during the summer months https://www.bontour.co.uk/destinations/sark-herm-alderney

Island RIB day trip to Sark from Jersey

Trip Duration: 7/8 Hours

All of our Sark trips leave from St. Catherine’s Breakwater

http://www.islandribvoyages.co.uk/Book-Now/Default.aspx

Les Écréhous

Les Ecrehous Jersey

Les Écréhous are uniquely situated between Jersey and France and are administered by the parish of St. Martin as part of the Bailiwick of Jersey. Although there are a number of houses based on the main island, these are privately owned. The islands are only a 10 minute trip on a fast RIB and trips are run here as close to low water as possible, when there is more of The Écréhous to explore and where the grey seals are hopefully basking in the sunshine on the rocks. There is also a chance of seeing a pod of dolphins during the crossing, so keep a good look out. The waters around the islands are clear and the pebble beaches spotless as the islands stay uninhabited for the majority of the year. There is a treasure of protected wildlife inhabiting the islands, including a colony of grey seals. Why not bring along a picnic and spend some time enjoying your surroundings or take a plunge into the crystal clear waters of the Écréhous. Bring along binoculars for spotting any of the rare species of birds and bottle-nosed dolphins, often sighted in this marine environment.

Island RIB Dolphin, Seal and Wildlife trip to Les Ecrehous from Jersey

Trip Duration: 2,3 or 4 Hour

All of our Les Ecrehous trips leave from St. Catherine’s Breakwater

http://www.islandribvoyages.co.uk/Book-Now/Default.aspx

Les Minquiers
Les Minquiers is situated south of Jersey and is the most southerly point of The British Isles and only a 25 minute trip away on a fast RIB. Due to its southerly location it is dubbed as the “UK`s tropical paradise” The islands are part of The Jersey Coastal National Park and fall within the RAMSAR treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and is abundant with bird and wild life that use the reef as a rest stop. At high tide Les Minquiers consists of a small island with a group of small fisherman huts and often pods of dolphins will feed along the hidden sand banks, and of an evening, it is the perfect place to stop and watch the dolphins play in the waters surrounding the reef. The crossing from Albert Pier is always exhilarating and you will often see the resident Bottle-nose Dolphins on your short journey, once you arrive at Les Minquiers there is always plenty of time to explore, swim or just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Bring along binoculars for spotting any of the rare species of birds and bottle-nosed dolphins, often sighted in this marine environment.

Island RIB Dolphin, Seal and Wildlife trip to Les Minquiers from Jersey

Trip Duration: 2 or 3 Hour

All of our Les Minquiers trips leave from St. Helier, Albert Pier

http://www.islandribvoyages.co.uk/Book-Now/Default.aspx

Carteret
The charming fishing port of Carteret in Normandy is just a quick 30 minute RIB ride away and where you can enjoy almost 3 hours to explore the beautiful sandy beach, coastal walks and shops or dine in one of the great choices of restaurants and creperies that Carteret has to offer. Due to Carteret being a tidal port, this trip can only be run when appropriate tidal conditions are met, which is normally 3 hours either side of high water. Due to the evening trip back to Jersey you will hopefully be fortunate enough to see some amazing sunsets so make sure you bring your camera (and your passport)

Island RIB Lunch, Dinner Or Morning Market Trip To France

Trip Duration: 5 Hours

Most of our Carteret trips leave from St Catherines Breakwater, although not adverse to leaving from St Helier or Gorey

http://www.islandribvoyages.co.uk/Book-Now/Default.aspx

Chausey
Chausey is a small group of islands situated off the Normandy coast and is an ideal location for a quiet break away. This 45 minute RIB trip only normally runs once a month during the season, on which if you are fortunate will see the resident Bottle-nosed Dolphins. There are some sheltered sandy bays which are perfect for swimming, rock pooling or fishing and some picturesque gites (cottages) and castles to explore. If you have take along some euros as there is a small souvenir shop that sells a range of local goods and homemade produce and there is an excellent restaurant where you can savour the the local seafood cuisine. Make sure you bring a camera and your passport on this trip

Island RIB Day Trip To Chausey

Trip Duration: 7/8 Hours

All of our Chausey trips leave from St Catherines Breakwater

http://www.islandribvoyages.co.uk/Book-Now/Default.aspx

 

PARTNER NETWORK WEBSITES

Condor Ferries
Jersey Heritage
Freedom Holidays
JERSEY HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION
St Brelades College in Jersey

VIBRANT JERSEY GROUP

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