Famous for its postcard-perfect landscapes, Jersey is an island renowned for its collection of phenomenal beaches. With golden sands, glistening waters and stunning views that stretch to neighbouring Channel Islands and the coast of France, Jersey is the perfect destination for a beach holiday. An abundance of activity, water sports and close proximity to towns, Jersey beaches are never far from a spot of action. Tucked away in the remote corners of the island, escape to some of Jersey’s hidden gems. Enjoy dramatic scenery, untouched beach fronts and idyllic, peaceful surroundings. Whilst the island is bursting with incredible beaches, there are some which truly are the best.
Jersey’s 50 miles of coastline has a wide range of excellent Jersey beaches suitable for family activities, swimming, bathing, surfing, windsurfing, longboarding and sunbathing. Below is a guide to the main beaches in Jersey:
Why Experience Jersey Beaches
Regardless of what you are looking for in a beach, there is no doubt Jersey will have it. From action-packed surfing spots and family-friendly destinations to secluded coves and untouched bays, Jersey beaches are diverse and spectacular. With its mild climate, turquoise waters and sparkling sands, a beach day in Jersey transports you to a Mediterranean-style holiday destination. With its breath-taking beauty and warmer weather, it is hard to believe you are just a stone’s throw from the UK.
With the exception of Jersey’s most secluded beaches located off the beaten track, Jersey beaches are well equipped. Often boasting great parking, exceptional facilities and nearby shopping and dining, Jersey beaches offer everything you expect from a beach day. The most popular Jersey beaches also offer a wide range of activities and water sports to keep the whole family entertained.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Jersey
At Jersey beaches, the whole family can come along as dogs are permitted on all beaches year-round. During off-season from 1st October to 30th April, dogs can run through the sands as there is no requirement for leads. During peak season from May to September when Jersey beaches are busier, dogs must be kept on a lead at all times between the hours of 10:30-18:00. It goes without saying that all dogs on Jersey beaches must be supervised, picked up after and must be prevented from disturbing local wildlife.
Beach Accessibility in Jersey
Many of Jersey beaches are accessible and suitable for visitors with limited mobility. At the busiest Jersey beaches, beach wheelchairs are available to hire provided by the charity BeachAbility. The chairs are specially designed for use on the sand, paddling in shallow water and navigating other rugged terrain. BeachAbility chairs are completely free of charge to hire and need to be arranged 24 hours in advance through BeachAbility. One of the charity’s volunteers will meet you at the beach with the chair and then you can easily explore the coast for the day. The BeachAbility chairs are available to anyone who may find walking on the beach difficult and no evidence of a disability is required to hire a chair. BeachAbility provides both adult and child sized chairs.
BeachAbility chairs are available at the following locations:
Jersey Beaches
St Brelade’s Bay
As the island’s most popular beach, St Brelade’s Bay is one of the island’s star attractions. Showcased on postcards and travel guides, the stunning scenery of St Brelade’s Bay is often used to promote the island and is one of Jersey’s most recognisable locations. The sparkling, turquoise waters, white gold sands and towering palm trees offer all the appeal of a European holiday destination without the need to travel too far.
Enjoy a Mediterranean break in the heart of the English Channel when you spend time at Jersey’s phenomenal St Brelade’s Bay.
St Brelade’s Bay is a hub of activity and a popular location to get involved in water sports. Numerous companies are dotted along the beach front offering the rental of stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and other water sport equipment. In addition, St Brelade’s Bay is the place where you can enjoy some thrilling adventures with speed boats and inflatable rides. Other activities can also be enjoyed including volleyball and blokarting.
If you just want to enjoy a quiet day in the sun, the vast beach also offers ample space to relax away from the action. Whilst the beach is bursting with action and popular with families, it is easy to find a quiet location to bask in the sun and swim in the sea with minimal disruption. Sun loungers, parasols and windbreakers can all be hired on the beach.
The sheltered bay makes St Brelade’s Bay one of the safest places in Jersey for swimming. With shallow waters and low tides, St Brelade’s Bay is perfect for families and those looking to spend time in the water. The beach also has a lifeguard on duty between May and September.
An incredible selection of dining options are also located nearby with bars and restaurants lining the beachfront. Not only does St Brelade’s Bay offer classic seaside dining like ice cream shops and fish & chips restaurants, the bay offers a unique mix of casual and fine dining options. You could dine at the world’s only Pizza Express with a sea-view or indulge in the sophisticated seafood menu at Oyster Box.
St Brelade’s Bay has numerous car parks located nearby and can be easily accessed by public transport. LibertyBus routes 12, 12A and 14 all stop opposite the beach.
Parking: Several car parks are located opposite the beach front. Charges apply 8am-5:30pm Monday to Saturday between April and September. Sunday’s and Bank Holidays are free
Facilities: Public toilets are available. Loungers, parasols and windbreakers can be hired. Water sports are available at St Brelade’s Bay. Shops and restaurants are also located nearby.
Lifeguard on duty: Yes during the summer months.
Accessibility: BeachAbility chairs available here. Disabled toilets are available at the beach. Disabled parking is available close by.
Portelet Bay
The charming bay of Portelet is a glorious suntrap and the perfect beach destination for a day of sunbathing. Away from the hustle and bustle of Jersey’s busier beaches, Portelet Bay offers a tranquil atmosphere where you can unwind. With golden sands, crystal-clear waters and a dramatic backdrop, Portelet Bay is one of the most picturesque locations on Jersey’s coastline.
With shallow waters and a sheltered location, Portelet Bay is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. There are no activities or water sports offered on the beachfront so you can rest assured that your day will be peaceful. For families visiting Portelet Bay, the beach often has numerous rock pools that little ones can enjoy exploring and splashing in.
If you are looking for something more to do than swimming and sunbathing, during low tide, you can embark on a spot of exploration. The focal point of Portelet Bay is the small islet of L’Île au Guerdain located just out to sea and home to Janvrin’s Tomb. Janvrin’s Tomb is the final resting place of a local sailor who came close to spreading the bubonic plague in Jersey. During low tide, visitors to Portelet Bay can walk out to Janvrin’s Tomb, just make sure to keep track of tide times.
With its secluded location, there are no shops close to Portelet Bay and limited dining options. On the beachfront, Portelet Bay Cafe is open during the summer months. The cafe specialises in seafood and wood-fired pizza, an excellent dining option during a day at the beach. For an alternative dining option, back up the cliff and overlooking the bay, the Portelet Inn is a charming establishment serving up classic pub grub.
Portelet Bay has a free car park available and is accessed by a step walkway from the car park. The beach is also serviced by public transport with a stop on the LibertyBus 12A route.
Parking: A free car park is located at the top of the steps down to the beach.
Facilities: Public toilets are available in the car park. There are two dining locations at Portelet Bay and no shops.
Lifeguard on duty: No.
Accessibility: Portelet Bay is a beach with step-access only.
Bouley Bay
If you are looking for an adventure beach, look no further than Bouley Bay. Nestled between the towering cliffs of Jersey’s north coast, Bouley Bay is bursting with activity and is a place of action rather than sunbathing. Bouley Bay is calm and peaceful, the perfect starting location for an adrenaline-fuelled day.
Whilst the pebble beach is not a top contender for a Jersey sunbathing destination, Bouley Bay has a lot to offer. As the middle point on the cliff path from Rozel to Bonne Nuit, Bouley Bay is a popular beach for walkers. Stunning scenery and phenomenal dining make the bay a great stopping point for hikers exploring the coastline. Accessed by a steep, winding road, cyclists are also frequent visitors to Bouley Bay and enjoy the challenge of climbing back to the top.
Bouley Bay is a popular beach for avid water sporting enthusiasts. Bouley Bay is a popular starting point for kayak adventures and Jersey’s leading kayak tour company departs the bay enroute to the north coast caves. The beachfront is home to Jersey’s only dive centre with the local waters offering rich marine life and fascinating wrecks to discover. The dive centre caters for all abilities and offers exhilarating dives, PADI courses and snorkelling trips. If exploring the underwater world is not your thing, you may consider exploring above it as the dive centre is also a stand-up paddle boarding school offering both lessons and rental. In addition, the dive centre also offers beach yoga classes and SUP yoga.
When it comes to dining, Bouley Bay is home to a Jersey institution. Mad Mary’s Beach Cafe is an iconic dining location on the island and renowned for its famous Bouley burgers and exquisite hot chocolate.
Bouley Bay has limited parking able to accommodate up to 20 cars. If travelling by public transport, LibertyBus route 4 makes a stop at Bouley Bay.
Parking: Bouley Bay has limited parking facilities with space for up to 20 cars including disabled spaces.
Facilities: Public toilets are available. Water sports and rental is available at Bouley Bay. Dining is limited to one location.
Lifeguard on duty: No.
Accessibility: Bouley Bay has reasonable accessibility during low tide. During high tide, the beach has step-only access. Disabled parking is available here.
Beauport Bay
Beauport Bay is one of Jersey’s best-kept secrets. A hidden gem accessed only by those in the know, Beauport Bay is a popular locals beach and less frequented by tourists. The bay is one of the most rugged and untouched corners of Jersey boasting stunning natural beauty. The south-facing beach of Beauport Bay is a renowned suntrap and one of Jersey’s best destinations for all-day sunbathing.
Surrounded on three sides by towering granite cliffs, Beauport Bay is a protected beach with calm waters, perfect for swimming. Whilst the beach has no facilities other than public toilets in the car park, Beauport Bay is an idyllic spot for a relaxing day.
There is a free car park at Beauport Bay located approximately 40 yards from the beach able to accommodate up to 50 cars. No public transport serves Beauport Bay but LibertyBus routes 12 and 12A stop in the centre of Beauport, a 15 minute walk away.
Parking: A free car park is available approximately 40 yards from the beach.
Facilities: Public toilets are available in the car park.
Lifeguard on duty: No.
Accessibility: Beauport Bay is a beach with step-access only.
Plemont Bay
Plemont Bay is a beach of many faces from a tranquil bay perfect for swimming at low tide and a surfers paradise during high tide. During high tide, the sands are completely covered creating rock pools that appear and revealing fascinating sea caves when the waves retreat. Surrounded by rugged cliffs, Plemont Bay has a dramatic yet breath-taking landscape and the scenery is a true work of art.
Plemont Bay is a stunning natural playground with plenty to discover. Exploring rock pools and encountering the natural sea caves are just two of the highlights at this exquisite beach. Surrounded by towering cliffs, Plemont Bay is relatively safe for swimming but watch those tide times as the waves can quickly turn. The beach is a popular destination for surfers who can enjoy relaxing on the beach during the day and ride the waves when the tides change.
Overlooking the beach, the Plemont Beach Cafe specialises in fresh, local cuisine and is an incredible Jersey restaurant. The cafe also sells a limited selection of beach supplies where you can purchase essentials.
Plemont Bay has plenty of parking facilities with limited parking available at the top of the beach steps and additional parking further up the cliff. All parking is free at Plemont Bay and the beach is also serviced by the LibertyBus route 8.
Parking: Limited parking is available at the top of the beach steps with additional parking further up the cliff. All parking at Plemont Bay is free.
Facilities: Public toilets are available in the car park. Dining and beach supplies available at Plemont Beach Cafe.
Lifeguard on duty: Yes during the summer months.
Accessibility: Beauport Bay is a beach with step-access only.
The Royal Bay of Grouville
Known to locals as Long Beach, the Royal Bay of Grouville is a phenomenal stretch of golden sand running from Mont Orgueil Castle to La Rocque. With the dramatic façade of Jersey’s finest mediaeval castle overlooking the beach, there is no finer beach view on the island. A family-friendly beach not too far from Gorey, Long Beach received its regal title after impressing Queen Victoria during a visit to Jersey.
The sheltered beach offers calm waters perfect for swimming and is ideal as a family beach destination. One of Jersey’s best beaches for families, Long Beach boasts an abundance of water sports and activities including banana boats, wakeboarding and water skiing. Paddleboards and kayaks can also be hired from the beach’s activity centre. Little ones will enjoy crabbing in the wealth of rock pools to be found at Long Beach.
Long Beach has an extensive selection of dining options with quick service kiosks, restaurants and ice cream vans lining the beachfront and also found in Gorey harbour. There are also numerous stores in Gorey harbour and village as well as a children’s playground on the beachfront.
Free parking is available at Long Beach and LibertyBus routes 1, 1A and 2 also service the area.
Parking: Long Beach has a large, free car park.
Facilities: Public toilets are available. Dining and shopping options can be found along the beachfront and in Gorey harbour. Loungers and parasols are available to hire. Water sport activities are available at Long Beach including kayak and paddleboard rental.
Lifeguard on duty: No.
Accessibility: BeachAbility chairs available here. Disabled toilets are available at the beach. Disabled parking is available close by.
Bonne Nuit
Named after the French for ‘good night’, Bonne Nuit is one of the most charming Jersey beaches. The quaint bay is shielded by Jersey’s dramatic cliffs and sheltered from the high winds creating a calming cove. The picturesque bay is a hidden gem that is one of the most tranquil destinations to spend some time in Jersey.
Although the waters of Bonne Nuit are relatively calm, the amount of sea traffic makes it difficult to swim.
However, Bonne Nuit has so much more to offer. Little ones can enjoy paddling in the shallow waters and pier diving is also a popular activity. The cliffs above Bonne Nuit are some of the highest in Jersey and paragliding is a popular sport in the area. When the tide is out, the beachfront makes an excellent landing platform. Bonne Nuit is also a refuge for animals not often seen in Jersey and is a great location for wildlife spotting. Meanwhile, the sealife in the area is abundant and it is common for even amateur anglers to catch a wide variety of fish.
As a busy fishing harbour, Bonne Nuit has some of the best dining in Jersey. You can spend your day relaxing on the beachfront watching the local fishermen return with their day’s work then enjoy the catch of the day at the Bonne Nuit Beach Cafe. The cafe offers beachside dining with exceptional views and boasts a delicious Thai menu.
Parking in Bonne Nuit is limited but spaces often free up frequently so it is worth waiting around for a parking spot. LibertyBus route number 4 also services Bonne Nuit Bay.
Parking: Bonne Nuit has a free car park with limited spaces.
Facilities: Public toilets are available. Dining is available at Bonne Nuit Beach Cafe.
Lifeguard on duty: No.
Accessibility: Limited access for mobility issues.
St Ouen’s Bay
This magnificent bay spans the majority of Jersey’s west coast. With picture-perfect scenery and rolling sand dunes, St Ouens Bay has spectacular panoramic views. Offering incredible view points and a prime spot for surfing, St Ouen’s Bay is Jersey’s ultimate adventure beach.
Jersey is renowned for its impressive tidal range and St Ouen’s Bay is one of the island’s leading beaches for surfing.
The dramatic waves of the Atlantic Ocean attract avid surfers and the area has a thriving surf community. In addition to experienced surfers regularly frequenting the beach, there are also multiple surf schools offering lessons to those looking to get involved. The tidal range creates fierce rip tides and visitors are advised to stay within sight of the lifeguard when entering the water.
The beachfront offers great dining options with a number of eateries along the length of the bay. El Tico Beach Cantina offers world-class dining with a diverse all-day menu whilst Watersplash offers unique twists on classic dishes. There are also a number of beachside kiosks offering light bites and seaside favourites.
Car parking can be found in abundance at St Ouen’s Bay with multiple free car parks along the length of the bay. There are also several bus stops along the beachfront serviced by LibertyBus routes 12A and 22.
Parking: There is extensive free car parking available along the length of the bay.
Facilities: Public toilets are available. Multiple dining options are available but no shops.
Lifeguard on duty: Yes during the summer months.
Accessibility: BeachAbility chairs available here. Disabled toilets are available at the beach. Disabled parking is available close by.
Havre des Pas
Close to the centre of Jersey’s vibrant capital St Helier, Havre de Pas is a nostalgic seaside destination. With an art-deco style and surrounded by Victorian houses, Havre des Pas is reminiscent of the classic British seaside.
Havre de Pas boasts an original Victorian lido, a safe swimming space sheltered from Jersey’s unpredictable tidal range. Perfect for families, Havre des Pas is undoubtedly the best and safest place in Jersey for swimming in the sea.
Whilst the beach is small, it is the perfect for a spot of sunbathing and just a short walk from many of St Helier’s leading hotels.
Every August, Havre des Pas hosts an annual festival. This fun-filled weekend transforms the beach with a carnival atmosphere featuring food stalls, beach games and live entertainment. Havre des Pas is in a prime location for both shopping and dining. Just a short walk from the centre of St Helier, Havre des Pas has easy access to the capital’s impressive shops and restaurants. A number of bars and restaurants also line the promenade offering ample options for mid-day refreshment. Directly at the bathing pool, the Lido Kiosk offers waterside dining with a menu of burgers and fish & chips.
The closest car park to the beach is 400m away at La Route du Fort. LibertyBus route 1 directly services Havre de Pas.
Parking: The closest car park to the beach is 400m away at La Route du Fort. Charges apply Monday to Saturday year-round from 8am-5pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays are free.
Facilities: Public toilets are available. Multiple dining options are available but no shops.
Lifeguard on duty: Yes during the summer months.
Accessibility: BeachAbility chairs available here. Disabled toilets are available at the beach. Disabled parking is available close by.
St Aubin’s Bay
Running the length of St Aubin’s Bay is a 5km crescent-shaped stretch of golden sand from St Helier’s harbour to St Aubin’s harbour. St Helier Beach is the busier section of St Aubin’s Bay with such close proximity to the capital and an abundance of watersports. Meanwhile, La Haule Beach at the opposite end is less crowded.
The south-facing bay is a beautiful suntrap and a perfect destination for sunbathing.
Whether you base yourself at St Aubin’s Bay or La Haule, visiting St Aubin’s Bay is accompanied by spectacular coastal views with Elizabeth Castle and St Aubin Fort adding to the scenery. The busiest section of St Aubin’s Bay, St Helier Beach offers rock pools, a protruding pier and exciting water sports. The Jersey Sea Sport Centre offers waterskiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, inflatable rides and speed boat trips.
Dining can be found in abundance at St Aubin’s Bay with the exceptional dining choices found in St Aubin and St Helier additional to the beachside eateries. The Gunsite Beach Cafe is a firm favourite with both locals and visitors. The cafe is at home in a repurposed WWII bunker and centrally located in the middle of the promenade. The menu features classic British cuisine, excellent seafood dishes and an incredible cup of coffee.
The length of St Aubin’s Bay features multiple car parks for easy access no matter which section of the beach you visit. The bay is also serviced by LibertyBus routes 12, 12A and 15. In addition, during the Summer months, Jersey’s Le Petit Train also connects St Aubin to St Helier.
Parking: A variety of different car parks stretch the length of St Aubin’s Bay. Charges vary by car park but most car parks charge Monday to Saturday year-round from 8am-5pm. Sunday’s and Bank Holidays are free in car parks that charge.
Facilities: Public toilets are available. Dining and shopping can be found along the beachfront and nearby in St Helier and St Aubin. Water sports are available at St Helier Beach.
Lifeguard on duty: No.
Accessibility: BeachAbility chairs available here from three locations. Disabled toilets are available at the beach. Disabled parking is available close by. The large beach at numerous accessible points.
