The Hidden Gems You Must See in the Best of St Aubin’s Bay This Year
About St Aubin’s Bay
The sweeping, sun-drenched arc of golden sand known as St Aubin’s Bay stretches along Jersey’s south coast between St Helier and St Aubin. Renowned for its scenic views and coastal charm, the bay offers ideal conditions for swimming and watersports with historic sites that can be explored at low tide. A scenic promenade and cycle path run the length of the bay, connecting the capital to the charming harbour village of St Aubin. With its blend of natural beauty, coastal heritage and accessibility, St Aubin’s Bay is one of the island’s most inviting seaside stretches.
Boasting excellent water quality, this sheltered cove is ideal for swimming and suitable for all the family. The clarity of the waters also makes this beach a great place to enjoy snorkelling with vibrant marine life close to the shore. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also popular activities, and there are also kayaking tours that you can join, taking in numerous tranquil coves around the island, including Beauport Beach. For a little more adrenaline, you can get involved with rock jumping at Beauport Beach. The rocky cliffs offer many accessible rocks to jump off into the water.
When the tide retreats, it reveals rock pools where you can discover the phenomenal sea life without entering the water. Jersey has a mixture of sandy and rocky beaches with Beauport being the former and the perfect place for sunbathing, playing games and enjoying a picnic.
St Aubin’s Bay Historic Sites
The historic sites of St Aubin add to the charm and intrigue of St Aubin’s Bay.
St Aubin’s Fort
Nestled on a tidal islet just off St Aubin’s harbour, St Aubin’s Fort is a scenic, historical gem that can be accessed by causeway at low tide. Built originally as a gun tower in the 1540s by Sir Henry Cornish to protect Jersey’s primary port at the time, St Aubin, it has witnessed Jersey’s long history. From being upgraded during the Civil War and acting as a private summer residence for royalty during the Victorian Era, the fort also served as a World War II fortification during the German occupation when it was reinforced with concrete bunkers, gun turrets and casemates.
St Aubin’s Harbour
A picturesque and historic harbour on Jersey’s south coast, St Aubin’s Harbour is nestled in the heart of the charming village of St Aubin. Once the island’s primary port, it retains its maritime charm with stone quays and elegant 17th-century merchant houses lining the waterfront. The harbour is tidal with golden sand revealed at low tide making it a scenic spot for walks along the causeway or out to St Aubin’s Fort. Also boasting waterside cafes and seafood restaurants, St Aubin’s Harbour is the perfect blending of heritage with relaxed, seaside leisure.
The Railway Walk
The route of Jersey’s former railway that ran from St Aubin to Corbiere, The Railway Walk offers a scenic and peaceful stroll through the countryside. A fully accessible route that is popular with both walkers and cyclists, this 4 mile pathway winds through the woodland and is a great place for wildlife spotting. Featuring relics from the railway era and the German Occupation, it is one of the most scenic heritage strolls on the island. Along The Railway Walk, you will also encounter refreshment stops and a playground making it a great walk for all the family.
St Aubin’s Bay Other Points of Interest and Things to Do
One of the island’s best holiday spots, there is plenty to see and do at St Aubin’s Bay.
Le Petit Train is Jersey’s charming tourist train running between St Helier and St Aubin. Offering a leisurely 35 minute coastal journey with engaging historical commentary, a ride on Le Petit Train is not only a great way to get from A to B, it is also a scenic and informative journey. Operating daily from April to October, the train also offers special seasonal services including the Christmas Lights Sing-A-Long Tour.
St Aubin’s Bay Shopping, Dining and Nightlife
Overflowing with coastal charm and a touch of elegance, the shopping, dining and nightlife options around St Aubin’s Bay echo the vibe of the village. With boutique stores and charming gift shops dotted around, it is the ideal place to pick up gifts, souvenirs and one-of-a-kind goods. There is a wide variety of dining options from quick-service kiosks and cute cafes to impressive seafood eateries and upscale restaurants. Nightlife around St Aubin’s Bay is lowkey with pubs and bars offering a variety of entertainment including live music and quiz nights. For a bit more excitement, the thrilling nightlife of the capital’s club scene is at the opposite end of the bay.
St Aubin’s Bay Sport and Events
There is always something going on at St Aubin’s Bay, one of the island’s leading water activity locations.
Jersey Sea Sport Centre
As one of the island’s premier activity centres, Jersey Sea Sport Centre is the number one spot for watersports at St Aubin’s Bay. Amongst the longest-running jet ski centres in Europe, the Jersey Sea Sport Centre also offers wakeboarding, waterskiing, speed boat rides and tubing. Open daily from April to October, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy watersports during the summer months at St Aubin’s Bay.
The Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club
Bursting with Jersey’s sailing heritage, The Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club is the focal point for the island’s sailing activity. Based at St Aubin’s Harbour, the clubhouse offers breathtaking coastal views from the bar and restaurant. Founded in 1862, it holds the title of the sixth-oldest yacht club in the world.
Jersey International Air Display
Set against the scenic backdrop of St Aubin’s Bay, the Jersey International Air Display is a four-hour flying display featuring over 20 different aircraft. From aerobatic teams and modern jets to parachute teams and vintage warbirds, the display showcases the best of the island’s aviation heritage.
Visiting St Aubin’s Bay
If you are planning on visiting St Aubin’s Bay during your Jersey holiday, it is a great place to explore year-round. The south-facing location of the bay means that the beach benefits from sunlight all day, making St Aubin’s Bay the ideal spot for a full day of beach activity.
While many of Jersey’s best beaches are hidden gems that are difficult to access, St Aubin’s Bay has great access points and facilities, making it fully accessible to everyone. Featuring ramp access, disabled parking and beach wheelchair hire, it is one of the best beaches on the island to cater to all.
St Aubin’s Bay Facilities
Parking
There are multiple pay-and-display car parks located close to St Aubin’s Bay with easy access to the beach fronts. Some car parks are chargeable year-round while others are chargeable between the peak months of April to September. It is important to be aware of times when you need to pay for parking. Evenings and Sundays are typically free. On-street parking is also available in some areas, but it is important to be aware of parking restrictions.
Public Transport
From Liberation Station in St Helier, there are four bus services operated by LibertyBus that connect to St Aubin’s Bay. All routes stop in the village of St Aubin, with some travelling along the bay itself.
An alternative method of public transportation is Le Petit Train. This land train travels the coastal 5-mile pathway between St Helier and St Aubin. Featuring open sides and in-ride commentary, Le Petit Train offers a scenic and informative journey between St Helier and St Aubin.
Toilets
Public toilets are available along the stretch of St Aubin’s Bay. There are also toilets available at St Aubin’s Promenade and La Haule. A full list of public toilets available in Jersey is available at gov.je.
Changing and showers
There are no changing facilities or showers available at St Aubin’s Bay.
Accessibility
While St Aubin’s Bay is not fully accessible, there are many accessible spots. Accessible parking is available nearby, and there is ramped access to some sections of the beach. In addition, St Aubin’s Bay also offers Jersey’s BeachAbility service. The BeachAbility charity offers the hire of manual wheelchairs with balloon tyres that are suitable for beach use. The chairs are available all year, and it is recommended to book in advance. They are available to hire from Gunsite and Bel Royal at St Aubin’s Bay.
Lifeguards
There are no lifeguards on duty at St Aubin’s Bay. Make sure to consider safe swimming, including staying close to the shore, swimming in groups and checking tide times. With Jersey home to the third-largest tidal range in the world, it is also important to be aware of strong currents. During the summer months, RNLI lifeguards patrol St Brelade’s Beach and can be contacted if assistance is required.
Food and Drink
St Aubin’s Bay offers a diverse range of dining facilities from kiosks and casual dining eateries to sit-down restaurants. You can find everything from fresh local seafood and classic British dishes to international cuisine. St Aubin’s village offers the most variety, but there are many dining options along the length of St Aubin’s Bay.
Shops
There are stores and kiosks along the length of St Aubin’s Bay, including plenty of locations to get beach essentials. The village is particularly known for its charming gift shops and boutique stores.
St Aubin’s Bay Shopping, Dining and Nightlife
As an idyllic and tranquil bay, the shopping, dining and nightlife options at Beauport Beach are limited. While there are no shops nearby the beach, Beauport is perfectly nestled between St Aubin and St Brelade, both offering shopping precincts that include charming boutiques and convenience stores. This is the same when it comes to dining with both neighbouring parishes offering great restaurants and cafes. For the closest place offering fresh seafood, a 20 minute stroll to St Brelade’s Bay will take you to the Jersey Crab Shack. There are also plenty of spots to grab a coffee and a light bite along the route so although Beauport Beach itself does not have any dining locations, there are many great options to grab a drink, snack or meal nearby. After a glorious day at the beach, you can also hop in the car, taking a 10 minute drive to enjoy sunset views and upscale dining at Corbiere Lighthouse. Many of the neighbouring pubs and bars offer evening entertainment including live music and quiz nights but for more lively nightlife, you would need to head into St Helier.
Beauport Sport and Events
When it comes to sporting activities at Beauport Beach, it is predominantly water based. Thanks to its sheltered positioning, the bay offers calm waters that are perfect for watersports such as kayaking and paddleboarding. Although Beauport Beach does not have its own hire facilities, if you do not have your own, you can hire from nearby St Brelade’s Bay before paddling to Beauport Beach. Absolute Adventures also offer kayak tours that head to Beauport Beach and are a great way to explore the coastline. Snorkelling is also a popular activity at Beauport Beach with the waters surrounding Jersey bursting with marine life.
