Joh Harvey is a local wellness entrepreneur who enjoys all that The Islands of Guernsey have to offer alongside his friends and family. Island Hopping is a quintessential Guernsey pastime, allowing locals and visitors alike to venture between our Islands for a few hours or days of adventure or complete relaxation. Join Joh and his friends as they enjoy island hopping from Guernsey to Herm and see what they get up to during their day on the Island.
“For anyone coming to the Channel Islands, Herm is an absolute must. It is an Island Paradise.”
Getting the boat to Herm
“It’s so accessible from Guernsey. And it’s 20 minutes away.”
Getting to Herm is very easy. There are multiple sailings to and from Herm every day and you can be there in as little as 20 minutes with The Isle of Herm Passenger Ferry or The Travel Trident. Tickets are available online, or you can purchase them in person at the Travel Trident kiosk, which operates a daily service through the summer months. You’ll find it next to the Weighbridge Clock Tower and Liberation Monument in St Peter Port.
The Isle of Herm Passenger Ferry departs from Guernsey Harbour’s Inter Island Quay and the Travel Trident departs from the Weighbridge Steps or the Inter Island Quay, depending on departure time and tides. Dogs are welcome on all sailings but must be kept on leads at all times.
Food and Drink on Herm
“You can come to the mermaid, have a pint, have some food, and really just chill out for the rest of the afternoon.”
For such a small Island, there is a great variety of eateries on Herm, with menus catering to all tastes and dietary requirements. The first stop for Joh and his friends is the Ship Inn, an extremely popular restaurant with locals and visitors alike. On warm summer days, you can sit outside and enjoy drinks on the patio, or in the winter months head inside to the bar with its open fire, or cosy up in the main restaurant area. The Ship Inn is open all day from 9am, offering everything from full-English breakfasts and light lunches, to snacks and hearty evening meals. A children’s menu is also available.
Next door you’ll find the White House Hotel, a country house-style hotel that has been serving guests on Herm for years. There are a variety of rooms, some of which are dog friendly, a cottage with its own separate garden and a swimming pool within the grounds. Inside, you’ll find fine dining and delicious meals at the Conservatory Restaurant, cocktails and bar meals in the lounge and space for drinks in their garden overlooking the west coast of the island - perfect for admiring a sunset.
The Mermaid Tavern is the next stop on Joh’s tour of Herm, a pub with an informal atmosphere that is popular all year round, especially during the summer months when you can sit out in the courtyard and enjoy a drink in the sun. As well as eating in the pub restaurant, you also have the option to book the Chef’s Theatre Dining on the 'top deck' for a group of friends or family, where you can watch your food being cooked by the chef right in front of you. Many social events happen at The Mermaid all year round, from theatre to live music performances. Take a look at our upcoming events to discover more.
Nearby is the Herm Island Gift Shop, where you can buy a variety of toys, sweets, clothes and groceries on your trip. Whether it’s a memento from your holiday, a toy for the kids or a top-up on food and drink while you’re camping, they’ve got you covered.
Things to do on Herm
“Herm is such a small place but there are all these amazing things literally within walking distance.”
There is so much to do on Herm. With activities on both land and sea, peaceful spots for relaxation and family-friendly educational tours, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Activities and Adventure
- Outdoor Guernsey operates in Herm as well as Guernsey, offering a variety of activities across the Islands. You can hire kayaks and stand-up paddle boards at Shell Beach, take an archery lesson, go coasteering, take a guided tour on land or sea, and much more. They employ fully qualified instructors who are always on hand to teach and guide you, so you know you’re in good hands. No experience is necessary and all equipment is provided.
Fishing
- For keen anglers, there is a range of fishing opportunities on Herm. The north of the Island hosts an expanse of beaches, whilst the South provides cliffs and rocks, creating a variety of different habitats for a wealth of different fish to be found. You could even charter a boat and experience some deep sea fishing with Margaret K Charter Fishing Trips or Out The Blue Charter Angling Trips.
Tours of Herm
- The dedicated team of gardeners on Herm have an established reputation for their horticultural skills. They offer Garden tours from April - September, where they explain and explore all areas of the Island’s nature. Tours last between 1.5 and 2 hours, starting in front of The Ship Inn. Tickets, which can be purchased from the Harbour Office, include a free tea or coffee from The Ship Inn.
- If flora and fauna are not for you, local Gold Accredited Guernsey Tour Guide, Annette Henry, offers historical and ghost tours of Herm. Throughout your walk, you will hear stories of the Islands’ history, some ghost stories and local myths and legends.
- For a tour of Herm with a different view, Island Rib Voyages offer a plethora of trips and tours to suit the time of year and the migration of wildlife, ensuring an experience you will never forget. The rib can pick you up directly from Herm, or from Albert Pier in St Peter Port. Voyages are suitable for all ages.
Explore Herm’s beaches
“The best things to do in Herm? Obviously beach. There aren’t many places that you can go in the world where you are five minutes walk away from the most fantastic beach.”
Herm is home to six beautiful, sandy beaches. Joh’s choice is Fisherman’s Beach. A popular beach on the west coast of Herm, it has golden, soft sand and is close to the amenities of The White House Hotel, The Mermaid Tavern and the Herm Gift Shop.
Other west coast beaches include:
- Hotel Beach, a quiet beach with secluded spots and a harbour wall that acts as a natural windbreak.
- Bears’ Beach, with its spectacular views.
- Oyster Point, perfect for an afternoon of peace and seclusion in the sun.
On the East Coast, slightly further away from the Island’s amenities but definitely worth venturing to, you will find the two most popular beaches on Herm, Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay.
- Shell Beach stretches for nearly three-quarters of a mile and is covered in tiny white shells. Here, you will find a well-stocked licensed beach cafe supplying everything you could need for a day on the beach. They have ice cream, drinks, snacks, beach gear and suntan lotion.
- Belvoir Bay is a real suntrap, with soft sand and clear waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. There is a café just above the beach, with a wide range of ice creams and refreshments. This is probably the most tricky beach to get to on Herm, with access either via the cliff paths or a steep shortcut across the centre of the Island, but it is well worth the effort once you get there.
Returning Home
“There aren’t many places that have better sunsets than Herm.”
After enjoying a spectacular Herm sunset, Joh and his friends head back to Guernsey. The quick 20-minute ferry from Herm departs from either Herm Harbour or Rosaire Steps, depending on the tide. Make sure you check the departure point for the time you’re planning to travel back and leave a bit of extra time to make your way to Rosaire Steps as they are further around the coastal path from the main harbour.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to leave just yet, why not stay on Herm overnight? The White House Hotel is the main accommodation for short 1-2 night stays, and you can also find a range of self-catering holiday cottages across the Island. There are also two campsites where you can either hire a fully equipped tent or bring your own and pitch up for an adventure.
“There’s not a single person who doesn’t have the most fantastic time, smiling from ear to ear when they jump back on to go home. Or, staying. Why would you leave?”
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.
