The Islands of Guernsey are a great base for sports and those wanting to get active. From hiking and climbing to court sports and golf, there's plenty to explore on land. Our waters are also perfect for all kinds of water sports and activities, including surfing and kayaking.
This year, Guernsey hosted the Island Games, where athletes from 24 member Islands across the globe competed in everything from classic athletic, track and swimming events to indoor bowls and shooting. Many Islanders and visitors alike were inspired to get out and be active themselves.
Here are some fun activities to try out on your visit.
Wild Swimming
Wild swimming is a popular pastime on the Islands of Guernsey and is a great way to get active outdoors. Our waters are safe and, especially in the summer, provide a refreshing and rejuvenating experience. Many locals purport the health benefits of wild swimming, claiming lowered stress levels, boosted immune systems and increased dopamine and endorphin levels. And you’re sure to find company all year round - many people enjoying a swim in the sea 365 days a year. Just choose one of our many great beaches and all you need to get going is your swimming gear, some goggles and a towel (and we’d recommend a hot drink to help warm you up when you get out!).
If you want to join swimmers who are more experienced with our waters, there are groups who make plans to meet and explore together. They're always welcoming to new members, whether you intend to join them frequently or just as a one-off experience. Simply look at their Facebook pages or on their websites for updates on their latest plans. These groups include The Mental Tentacles, Guernsey Swim Adventures, Guernsey Open Water Swimming and Guernsey Swim All Seasons.
For more information about getting started with Wild Swimming on the Islands of Guernsey, read this blog.
Water Activities
Wild swimming isn’t the only sport that’s available in our waters. Across all of our Islands, there are local vendors who supply all the equipment and training needed to have a fun, active day out on the water.
- Go Guernsey Land and Sea provide Kayak, coasteering and stand-up paddleboard tours around Guernsey, led by professional and knowledgeable tour guides. If you want to have a go yourself without going on a tour, they also hire out all of the equipment needed.
- Outdoor Guernsey allows you to hire kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to enjoy, or have specialist guided tours via kayak, stand-up paddle boards and coasteering for the more adventurous. For a completely unique experience, try SUP Yoga, a safe yet challenging yoga class out to sea. Outdoor Guernsey operate across Guernsey and you will also find them operating out of Shell Beach on Herm.
- Guernsey SUP is dedicated to getting people out on the water and enjoying stand-up paddle boarding safely. They offer private and group lessons, guided tours or just simply ‘hire-and-go’ boards for everyone to enjoy.
- Guernsey Surf School is based out of Vazon Bay and provides private and group surfing lessons, full and half-day surfing camps for kids and boards and wetsuits to hire for those wanting to take out a board on their own.
- Adventure Sark provides kayaking and coasteering tours around the unique coast of Sark. You’ll get the chance to explore the caves and see the rare species of wildlife and nature that are only visible from the sea.
- JP’s Jet Ski Seafaris are an exhilarating way to see the Islands of Guernsey. Their trained and qualified guides will teach you how to safely operate the jet skis before taking you on a tour like no other. Please note that tours are only suitable for those aged 12+ and under 16s must have an adult riding with them.
Find more water activities here.
Hiking and Guided Walks
Wellness walks are a great way to be active without even realising you are doing so. From short walks around quiet country lanes to hikes along cliff paths, you could spend hours walking around our Islands and enjoying the views. There are many historical points of interest to discover along the way, from castles and forts to sights of folklore and myth; as well as nature to explore, much of which is unique to our Islands - from the humble Guernsey vole and Guernsey cow to the Blonde Hedgehog and Gannets of Alderney.
You can take your own wildlife walk, book a guided tour led by an accredited local tour guide with Tours of Guernsey or Annette Henry Tours or download the VisitGuernsey Walking App for easily accessible routes that you can filter by difficulty and duration to find your perfect route.
If you want to find a specific self-guided route or need help deciding where to go, click here.
Cycling
Cycling on the Islands of Guernsey gives you easy access to key attractions and allows you to explore at your own pace, whilst at the same time getting active outside. If you travel by boat, you can easily bring your own bike, or you can hire a bike from a range of different retailers, including:
- Adventure Cycles and Go Guernsey Bike Hire on Guernsey.
- Avenue Cycles, A to B Cycles and Bam’s Bikes on Sark.
- Cycle & Surf in Alderney.
There are bikes to suit every need, from mountain and electric bikes for adults to bikes for kids, with tag-a-longs, tandems, trailers and child seats all available.
Golf
Golf is a great way to be outside, playing sport and talking with other players, and we have some beautiful scenic golf courses on our Islands.
- The Royal Guernsey Golf Club is situated at the northern end of the Island at L’Ancresse Common, with a challenging 18-hole course set in beautiful surroundings. There is also a driving range, putting and chipping greens and clubhouse. Day memberships are available, but please note that you must have a current handicap certificate from a recognised club.
- La Grande Mare Golf Club offers an 18-hole, par 64 golf course on Guernsey’s west coast, along with practice areas, a driving range and teaching area for coaching by experienced trainers.
- St Pierre Park Hotel has a 9-hole, par-3 golf course designed by Tony Jacklin CBE, and you can also enjoy professional tuition no matter your ability. There is also a driving range, golf shop and resident golf professional available for any advice all on-site.
- Alderney Golf Club’s coastal course overlooks Alderney and has 9 holes, each with two tees, and visitors are always welcome. Please note that the breeze from the English Channel can occasionally make the course more difficult.
If mini-golf is more your style, Guernsey has two mini-golf courses. The 18-hole mini golf course at Oatlands Village is great fun for the whole family and, once you’ve finished your round, you can explore the independent shops or stop off for coffee and cake at The Kiln. The second, Pirate Bay is, you guessed it, a unique pirate themed 12 hole mini golf course at Nineteen Bar and Grill. You can play a round and then head inside for some food; be sure to have a go at the driving range inside the restaurant while you’re waiting for your meal.
Climbing
Up Climbing is an indoor climbing centre with a range of different climbing experiences for all ages and is a great activity for those wanting to try their hand at something different. They have traverse climbing walls, boulders and auto or manual belay high walls. A 15-30 minute level 1 induction is required for anyone aged 18+ on their first time visiting to ensure safety while climbing. Children are encouraged to participate in the induction, but it is not required. After this, you are free to climb.
Gyms & Fitness Centres
Many of our hotels, such as St Pierre Park, The OGH and Cobo Bay Hotel (to name just a few) have gyms within their grounds which offer fitness facilities. Hotel guests, of course, have access to all facilities, but many offer one-time memberships for use of the gyms and equipment for just the day. A lot of these also have indoor or outdoor swimming pools, perfect for getting active, and warmer than the sea.
Beau Sejour is Guernsey’s premiere Leisure Centre and has a gym, swimming pool and sauna to enjoy. As well as this, they also have an array of fitness classes that anyone can sign up to join, ranging in intensity and style. From HIIT and Spin classes to Body Conditioning and Zumba, there is something to get everyone active. Classes vary in price and timetables are released just one week in advance, with classes getting filling up quickly - so be sure to book as early as possible.
Courts and Facilities to Hire
If you have an interest in a particular sport, we have a range of spaces, courts and facilities available to hire, from tennis and squash to netball and football and everything in between. Just be sure to book in advance as spaces can get taken quickly.
- Beau Sejour has a range of courts and facilities for hire. There are spaces to play tennis, squash, netball, football and boules, and their courts, both indoor and outdoor, can be hired for a variety of purposes.
- The Guernsey Tennis Club has indoor and outdoor tennis courts available for ‘pay and play’ matches, perfect for tennis enthusiasts. They also have three padel courts on site, for those wanting to try this fun new sport that’s taking Europe by storm.
- Aztech is a site dedicated to all things football, with indoor and outdoor pitches and a techzone for players to improve their technical skills. Please note that players under 14 must be supervised at all times. They also air football matches upstairs in their bar.
- The KGV has outdoor grass and all-weather pitches that can be hired if you want to spend some time playing football. Their two bars just above the pitches serve great food and drinks, so you can extend your stay after playing with a meal while watching a screening of a sporting event.
If you want to know which sporting events are coming to Guernsey soon, click here.
Click here for even more things to do.
