Chris is a local teacher and family man who spends his spare time outside exploring on both land and sea. Join Chris and his family on an afternoon filled with outdoor activities to see how much fun you can have with kids on the Islands of Guernsey.
“I’d absolutely recommend Guernsey as a family holiday. It’s just a magical place to come. You’ll create some amazing moments as a family with your children.”
Exploring by Bike
“Guernsey’s definitely best seen by bicycle and there’s plenty of places locally where you can hire bikes. If you’ve got a family, I'd recommend an e-bike with a kids trailer on the back and you’ll be able to get anywhere you want in the Island within an hour.”
Cycling on the Islands of Guernsey gives you easy access to family attractions, beaches and local town centres. Explore at your own pace and find hidden gems off the beaten track.
Bike Hire
If you’re visiting by ferry you can bring your own bikes, or you can find a range of hire shops on arrival. There are a wide range of bikes available to suit everyone’s needs including mountain and electric bikes for adults, options with tag-a-longs and trailers for small children, as well as child seats and small bikes.
Where to Hire Bikes:
- Guernsey: Adventure Cycles, GO Guernsey Bike Hire, Outdoor Guernsey
- Sark: A to B Cycle Hire, Avenue Cycles, Bam’s Bikes Sark
- Alderney: Cycle and Surf Alderney
A day of beach adventures
“Most of the beaches you can go to are quiet, and if they’re busy places, you can always find a quiet spot. Whatever you like on the beach, Guernsey’s got it. Basically, endless hours of fun.”
Guernsey’s beaches are perfect for the whole family to enjoy a day out. From sea swimming and beach lounging to rock pooling and taking part in watersports adventures, there’s something for every age. We recommend booking water equipment hire and activities in advance to ensure you get the most out of your trip.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced paddler, both kayaking and paddleboarding are fun family activities that can accommodate younger children. There are a range of local companies offering everything from lessons and guided tours, to equipment hire for your own adventure.
- Outdoor Guernsey has both kayaks and paddleboards available to hire daily at Cobo Bay, Petit Bot and Saints Bay in Guernsey and Shell Beach in Herm when the weather is suitable. All you need to do is call up on the day and let them know what you’ll need.
- Go Guernsey Land and Sea have kayaks and paddleboards for hire if you’d like to explore on your own, or you can book guided tours around the Islands. They also provide lessons if you’re keen to push yourself or learn a new skill as a family.
- Guernsey SUP focuses on Stand Up Paddleboarding, and has a wide range of lessons that cater to all abilities, or you can hire boards for a day of family adventures. They offer guided tours of the Islands on paddleboards if you’re keen to discover more on your trip.
- In Alderney, the Alderney Wildlife Trust have a range of kayaks, canoes and paddleboards available to hire, take out and explore the Island. You can even hire transparent canoes to help you spot local wildlife and fish.
- Adventure Sark offers both kayaking and coasteering trips, taking you on group explorations around the caves and cavern systems of Sark. It’s an excellent way to see the unique Island from a totally new angle.
Surfing
The best surfing conditions on our Islands are at Vazon Bay on the west coast of Guernsey. There you’ll find Guernsey Surf School, who can help with wetsuit and surfboard hire, as well as group and private lessons. In the summer they also offer surfing camps for children to enjoy over the course of a week, and blocks of lessons for you to advance your skills during your stay.
Coasteering
An adrenaline adventure, coasteering invites you to explore the rocks, cliffs and caves surrounding the Islands of Guernsey, and jump off into the sea. Go Guernsey and Adventure Sark have guided coasteering tours that can cater to different abilities and strengths, and will allow you to enjoy our Islands from a new perspective. Jumping is, of course, not compulsory.
Refill at Beach Cafes and Kiosks
“Going to a beach wouldn’t be going to the beach if you haven’t got a kiosk. Especially a day out with the kids.”
As any parent knows, beach snacks, drinks and amenities are essential when you have young children. You’ll find cafes and kiosks nearby to all of our beaches (save the secluded spots you’ll have to hike to!) so that you can savour the whole day by the coast.
A few places to look out for are:
- Portelet Beach Kiosk: Located on Guernsey's south-west coast between Portelet Beach and Rocquaine Bay, this friendly kiosk offers coffee, light lunches, afternoon teas and ice cream. With an outdoor seating area overlooking the sea and on-site bathrooms, it's great for a family day out. They also have takeaway options available for heading back down to the beaches.
- Cobo Tearooms: Just across the road from the beach, Cobo Tearoom serves homemade cakes, sausage rolls, breakfasts and sandwiches. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and the team are welcoming to friendly dogs.
- Mim’s Kiosk at Cobo Bay: Mim’s kiosk serves ice creams, cakes, hot drinks and a variety of food perfect for a day at the beach. You can find it at the top of the slipway at the south of the beach.
- The Beach House at Pembroke: Pembroke is one of the most accessible beaches on Guernsey, and the Beach House provides a range of eating options for a day at the coast. With table seating both indoors and outdoors overlooking the beach, as well as takeaway options and an ice cream kiosk, it's great for families to enjoy.
- Surfside Kiosk at Port Soif: Port Soif is a picturesque horseshoe beach on the west coast, and the nearby kiosk offers both takeaway options and a relaxed garden café to eat in. You’ll find light bites, hot food and snacks to enjoy throughout the day.
- Fermain Beach Café: Providing food from 10am during the summer season, the Beach Café provides a great meal and drinks selection to enjoy on their picnic benches overlooking Fermain Bay. You can also pick up ice creams to enjoy down on the pebbled shores of the beach.
- Saints Bay Kiosk:This hidden gem is definitely worth discovering. Found down a winding country road, the beach kiosk is situation above the beautiful Saints Bay, boasting spectacular views. They offer a great selection of homemade cakes along with sandwiches, hot food and snacks. They also have an alcohol license, so you can enjoy daught lager, bottled local ale, wine, beer and other alcolic beverages.
- Hotel Jerbourg: Inside the Hotel Jerbourg, you will find both the hotel restaurant and their Desert Bar. Sit inside or out in their gardens and enjoy a varied main menu for lunch, or stop in for homemade cakes and Guernsey ice cream after a swim at Marble Bay.
Find a full list of cafes and kiosks here.
Perfect for kids
“What I like as a family is letting my kids be kids and watching them explore and getting stuck in with nature, you know. That’s great. You can give them quite a good free reign without worrying.”
The Islands of Guernsey are perfect for a holiday with kids. With nature around every corner, it’s ideal for young children to explore and roam free, and the safe nature of our Islands means you can all unwind with peace of mind. Here you'll find a friendly community ready to welcome you to Island life.
Chris recommends bringing your family to our Islands for your next holiday for countless opportunities to explore, have fun and relax together.
“You’ll make lots of magical memories doing whatever you want to do. The list is endless really.”
“How would I describe Guernsey? Just wow.”
Want to meet more of our local ambassadors?
Meet the locals who want to show you their Guernsey, so that you can have a truly authentic experience on your next visit to our Islands. From keen outdoor and wild swimming enthusiasts to real local foodies and adventurers, get all of the local recommendations here.
