10 Best Beaches in Jersey

St. Brelade’s Bay is a very popular beach that consistently ranks highly in polls of Britain’s best beaches. The beach is well served by several nearby restaurants, bars and cafés. You’ll find everything from seafood to pizza on offer, along with the fantastic sea views. This south-facing beach gets plenty of sun during summer, but it’s also worth a visit in the winter when you can walk the soft golden sands from the historic Fisherman’s Chapel at the western end of the beach, all the way to the beach at Ouaisne.

St. Brelade’s is easily reached by hopping on the No. 12 or No. 14 bus from St. Helier, or at any stop along the route. There’s disabled access here too, with local charity BeachAbility making ballooned wheelchairs available to disabled visitors as needed. There are also some public car parks close by if you prefer to arrive under your own steam.

St. Ouen’s Bay is a favoured surfing spot that has played host to both British and European surfing championships over the years. The beach here draws crowds throughout the year, not just for its golden sands, but as part of Jersey National Park. St. Ouen’s takes up 3 of the 5 miles of Jersey’s western coast. Although the beach can get busy, it’s also possible to find many quieter spots along this stretch of coastline for that family barbecue or romantic picnic.

There’s plenty of parking available along the bay, but spots can fill up quickly, especially in the high season. To avoid parking hassles, take the No. 12a bus.

Havre des Pas is a very popular beach on the outskirts of the island’s capital, St. Helier. This is a great spot if you want to sample British beach holidays of a bygone era. There are Victorian bathing pools that fill up at high tide to create pools of seawater for swimmers to enjoy when the tide goes back out. Along with the nearby pier and the surrounding Victorian architecture, this place retains that classic seaside resort feel.

Water sports are not allowed here, but you can hire deckchairs if relaxing is your thing. There’s a lifeguard on duty during the summer season, making it a safe spot for some family swimming. There are public car parks a short walk from the pool and the beach. This is also the nearest beach to the town, so if you’re staying in St. Helier you’ll be within walking distance too.

Beauport Beach is nestled in the pretty bay of the same name. A favourite with locals, this sheltered stretch of golden sands often makes an appearance on tourist promotional materials and it’s no wonder why. South-facing, this beach is known as something of a suntrap and attracts families, sunbathers, and swimmers throughout the summer months. This is also a good spot for snorkelling and diving.

The beach is right beside a nature reserve and is accessed by a long stairway, which unfortunately makes this spot inaccessible to some. There’s nothing much in the way of facilities here and though the swimming is generally safe, there is no lifeguard on duty. All that aside, this is an extremely picturesque part of this already picturesque island.

Plemont Beach is a photographer’s dream. With high cliffs standing either side of this wide crescent of golden sands, the setting here is quite dramatic. The beach is great for kids, especially at low tide when lots of pools form along the rocks as the tide recedes. There are caves and a waterfall to explore nearby too. While the sea is generally calm and suitable for swimming, during choppier weather large swells do form – explaining the area’s popularity with local surfers.

The beach here is accessed by a staircase leading from a café. The views from the staircase are stunning. There are public parking facilities nearby, but if you prefer public transport, the No. 8 bus will get you here too.

Bonne Nuit Beach or ‘Good Night Beach’ is in a small harbour on Jersey’s northern coast. It’s sheltered by high hills that loom over it. The surrounding hills mean the beach is protected from the strong winds that blow over much of the island’s coastline. This place got its name from its reputation as a calm and relaxing spot. Its reputation is well earned as it remains a very quiet beach to this day. Though the beach is mostly pebbly, at low tide a small stretch of sandy beach is revealed – a great spot to relax at the end of the day as the sun dips below the nearby hills.

As this is a working harbour, swimming and water sports aren’t possible here. On the plus side though, there are some great walks in the surrounding hills that offer stunning sea views. The hills here are the highest point in Jersey and make this a popular spot for paragliding – an adrenaline-inducing option if you’re feeling adventurous. Dogs are also welcome here.

Bouley Bay Beach is another of Jersey’s beaches that has a flair for the dramatic, nestled as it is next to 400-ft-high cliffs. This 2-mile stretch of coastline is a superb spot for a little nature watching. Though the beach itself is pebbly, there are numerous rock pools hosting local marine life to keep the kids interested. You may spot a dolphin or 2 while here or even the occasional puffin. The nearby dive centre also runs excursions out on the water for a chance to catch a closer glimpse of local marine life such as seals and dolphins. If all the nature watching makes you peckish, there’s Mad Mary’s Beach Café (try the hot chocolate!) a stone’s throw from the beach.

Located on Jersey’s northern coast, about a 20-minute drive from St. Helier, Bouley Bay Beach can also be reached by the No. 4 bus.

Rozel Beach is well known for 2 things – an excellent choice of dining spots and the soft, white sand that is revealed when the tide is out. The beach itself is a great spot to relax, swim, or even do a spot of fishing. Sheltered from the worst of the wind, the beach faces the northeast and the sun dips down behind the headland late in the afternoon. Dogs are welcome here, should your furry friend be accompanying you.

Located next to a harbour of the same name, you’ll find a popular local café and several restaurants alongside the nearby fishing boats and holiday huts. Parking is limited in the harbour itself or, if you prefer to avoid the parking hassles, the No. 3 bus will take you here.

Grouville Beach is an attractive stretch of sandy beach that sweeps Jersey’s east coast. As the shallow waters here warm quickly, this is a very popular spot with local swimmers. The current here is generally not strong and lots of water sports are on offer too – it all makes for a good spot for children. Though, if arriving with little ones, bear in mind there’s no lifeguard on duty here.

Grouville Beach is well served with bars, restaurants, and cafés as it backs onto the nearby village of Gorey. To the south, you’ll find the Royal Jersey Golf Club with some great views over the harbour and Mont Orgueil Castle. There is public parking in the area, but spaces fill up quickly on sunny days. If you’d prefer to get here by public transport, the No. 1 bus will get you here.

Ouaisné Bay is a quiet, secluded spot perfect for families or couples looking to escape the crowds. It's not far from nearby St. Brelade’s Bay and you can walk between the 2 beaches at low tide. The water here is very clean, so it’s well suited to swimming and water sports. The area behind the beach wall here is itself a conservation area and is worth exploring. There are also fortifications built by the Nazis and a Martello tower nearby. All this brings a bit of history and character to the area.

As well as a nearby pub, restaurant, and café, there’s also a public car park with plenty of space. There are toilets available as well as deck chair hire, but no lifeguard on duty. The bay is not on any bus route, but No. 12 and No. 14 buses run to nearby St. Brelade’s Bay.