Our Islands are perfect for an Island Hopping adventure. Guernsey provides the ideal springboard for reaching our smaller Isles, whether you fancy taking in Sark, Alderney, Herm or Lihou, there’s easy travel between each island and Guernsey by boat or plane.
If your trip to Guernsey is only for a few days, then a day trip or two will probably suit you best, but if you have more time to spare, then we highly recommend spending a night or two on the smaller islands to really get a feel for their charm.
Channel Islands Direct are offering Island Hopping packages this summer to help you get the most out of your visit.
Sark
Sark may be just a 35-50 minute ferry ride from Guernsey, but it feels like an entire world away. With cars prohibited, walking, cycling or riding aboard a horse-drawn carriage are the best modes of transport for exploring the unspoilt landscape and scenery. Take time to wander or pedal along the peaceful lanes and, if time allows, don’t miss La Coupée, a 100-metre long isthmus that connects big and little Sark and has dramatic drops on either side to the bays below. Sark has numerous pretty coves and bays to discover with popular spots such as Dixcart, Derrible and Port Moulin all worth a visit.
While Sark’s principal allure may be its natural beauty, there are some local attractions to see too including La Seigneurie Gardens and the Sark Venus Pool, or you can take part in some thrill-seeking activities such as coasteering and kayaking. The Island also boasts an array of places to eat, whether you fancy tucking into a crab sandwich on the beach, an afternoon tea or fine dining within a hotel restaurant, or an excellent pub lunch.
In 2011, the Island was designated an International Dark Sky Community, the first in Europe and the first island globally to be awarded such status. The night sky is exceptionally clear and free from light pollution, so if you opt for an overnight stay, you really are in for a treat. You don’t need a telescope to see the scores of constellations, the planets or the craters on the moon, just let your eyes adjust to the darkness and soak up the view.
Herm
Tranquil Herm is only 20 minutes by ferry from Guernsey. This oasis in the Channel greets you with long stretches of white sand, cliff paths with views extending to the French coast, its own microclimate and unique wildlife.
The beaches on Herm are ideal for a day of relaxing. Top spots to visit include the sweeping Shell Beach, named after the millions of tiny shells washed up by the Gulf Stream; Belvoir Bay, which is a family favourite; Fisherman’s Beach for enjoying a sunset; Bears’ Beach and Oyster Point.
Get active and hire a paddle board or kayak to explore the turquoise sea around the island or, join a guided boat trip to spy pods of dolphins and Europe’s most southerly puffin colony. For something a little faster, Rib tours provide an exhilarating ride around the coast. If dry land is more appealing, then take a stroll along Herm’s coastal paths. You can walk the perimeter of the Island within a leisurely couple of hours.
A variety of welcoming restaurants and cafés ensure you won’t go hungry, whether you’re just after a quick snack, some tasty pub grub or more formal dining.
Alderney
Northernmost of the Channel Islands, Alderney is a gem and sure to wow nature lovers. Jump on a small plane for the 15-minute flight or, in high season, take the hour-long ferry service to reach the Island.
At its centre is St Anne, the quiet inland capital whose cobbled streets are lined by pastel-coloured houses and a range of independent shops. Other attractions include the Alderney Museum and the Alderney Railway, which is the only working railway in the Channel Islands.
Walking and cycling are by far the best way to enjoy the island’s natural splendour and, with over 50 miles of walks and paths, there’s no shortage of places to stroll or pedal. If you’d like to glimpse the island’s wildlife, a walk to Giffoine offers a fantastic view of Les Etacs which is home to thousands of gannets, while boat trips operate to nearby Burhou for the chance to see puffins. During boat trips, you may also spy pods of dolphins as well as seals, which breed on the rocks behind Burhou. The Island is also home to a scenic 9-hole coastal golf course and, for those in search of more invigorating adventure, there’s all manner of watersports.
Look forward also to a feast of home-grown produce, rich dairy ice cream and succulent seafood straight from the island’s waters. Dining-out options range from gastropubs to beach-side diners, so there’s something for every palate and budget.
Lihou
The smallest of Guernsey’s islands, Lihou can be reached across a cobbled causeway from Guernsey’s southwest coast, although due to tides it’s only passable at certain times of the day. Once here, you’ll discover ruins, tidal pools and nature reserves, so pack a picnic and set off on your own adventure.
Naturally filled at high tide by the sea, Lihou’s Venus Pool is not for the faint of heart, but is the perfect way to cool down and enjoy some wild swimming on a warm summer’s day.
With RAMSAR wetlands and marine conservation, Lihou is a wildlife sanctuary. Twitchers should be sure to bring along a pair of binoculars as the island is home to over 150 bird species, while the Island’s rocky shoreline is perfect for rock pooling.
You can also take a step back in time with a walk through the ruins of Lihou Priory. Thought to date back to 1114 when it was built by Benedictine monks, it’s a fascinating place for a wander.
Adding some island hopping to your Guernsey holiday is highly recommended, and our expert travel partners are here to help make your adventure even easier to organise.
You can book breaks with inter-Island travel included, or plan to spend a few days in each Island with an Island Hopping package.
Book your Island hopping break with Channel Islands Direct on their website or by calling 0800 640 9058
*This content is part of a paid partnership with Channel Islands Direct
