Anyone been to Alderney this summer?

longjohnsilver

Well-known member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
18,840
Visit site
If so, how did you find the entry procedures, Covid wise? I’m on my boat thinking about crossing on Thursday, but they ask for a form to be completed and sent 2 days beforehand. First issue is the form needs to be printed, and I don’t have a printer on board, seems rather shortsighted that it’s not a form you can complete over the internet, unless I’ve got it all wrong. And secondly the weather plays a rather important factor on whether we go or not. I suppose I can send a form every day (or not, if it needs printing) and then choose when to leave.
If you’ve been there, how strict are they with the timings?
As much as I love Alderney, this is rather putting me off making the effort to get there.
 

Boathook

Well-known member
Joined
5 Oct 2001
Messages
9,119
Location
Surrey & boat in Dorset.
Visit site
If so, how did you find the entry procedures, Covid wise? I’m on my boat thinking about crossing on Thursday, but they ask for a form to be completed and sent 2 days beforehand. First issue is the form needs to be printed, and I don’t have a printer on board, seems rather shortsighted that it’s not a form you can complete over the internet, unless I’ve got it all wrong. And secondly the weather plays a rather important factor on whether we go or not. I suppose I can send a form every day (or not, if it needs printing) and then choose when to leave.
If you’ve been there, how strict are they with the timings?
As much as I love Alderney, this is rather putting me off making the effort to get there.
Went there early July. Need to fill out a Guernsey tracker that has a copy of your vaccination certificate but otherwise easy. Alderney need to know that you are arriving, etc, but all very friendly and helpful. The problem is that it may of changed since I was there, but I don't remember having to print a form.
I also rang Alderney HM and found them helpful but the form did have some leeway over timings.
 

JNKScot

Well-known member
Joined
9 May 2004
Messages
22,875
Location
E1E Row K
Visit site
If so, how did you find the entry procedures, Covid wise? I’m on my boat thinking about crossing on Thursday, but they ask for a form to be completed and sent 2 days beforehand. First issue is the form needs to be printed, and I don’t have a printer on board, seems rather shortsighted that it’s not a form you can complete over the internet, unless I’ve got it all wrong. And secondly the weather plays a rather important factor on whether we go or not. I suppose I can send a form every day (or not, if it needs printing) and then choose when to leave.
If you’ve been there, how strict are they with the timings?
As much as I love Alderney, this is rather putting me off making the effort to get there.
Fill in form, save as a .pdf and e-mail it to them as an attachment.
 

Poey50

Well-known member
Joined
26 Apr 2016
Messages
2,318
Location
Chichester
Visit site
We're in Alderney at the moment having crossed a week ago. You need to do an online Travel Tracker with vaccination information for each person. That's the essential part. The pdf is old tech. Phone or email Braye Harbour and ask if they will accept the form information written into an email. Then duplicate the headings into the email plus information ... it isn't that much. Precise timing isn't important. Since we arrived they have introduced the lateral flow testing so be prepared for that. It will be on the website. Each person has to buy 5 of their tests (£25) and test each day and self-report if there is a problem.
 
Last edited:

longjohnsilver

Well-known member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
18,840
Visit site
We're in Alderney at the moment having crossed a week ago. You need to do an online Travel Tracker with vaccination information for each person. That's the essential part. The pdf is old tech. Phone or email Braye Harbour and ask if they will accept the form information written into an email. Then duplicate the headings into the email plus information ... it isn't that much. . Precise timing isn't important. Since we arrived they have introduced the lateral flow testing so be prepared for that. It will be on the website.
Yes, I’ve seen that it’s £25 for 5 tests to be taken every 2 days. And I’ve already emailed Alderney HM with almost all the info required in the form. Hopefully I’ll get a response tomorrow.
Im guessing it’s quiet there now? Are the pubs and restaurants open? Alderney is my favourite island, but at the moment my other half favours going to Scilly to avoid any hassle.
Thanks for the info, much appreciated.
 

bobgarrett

Active member
Joined
10 Oct 2005
Messages
859
Location
Oxfordshire
Visit site
We went about a month ago. There were the online forms and proof of double vaccine. Arrived and put on quarantine buoy until the morning when they took us ashore checked our entry forms online and accepted us. All efficient, helpful and easy. Then moved to normal buoys and free to your the island. Had a great time .
But I think the entry process has changed now.
 

Poey50

Well-known member
Joined
26 Apr 2016
Messages
2,318
Location
Chichester
Visit site
Yes, I’ve seen that it’s £25 for 5 tests to be taken every 2 days. And I’ve already emailed Alderney HM with almost all the info required in the form. Hopefully I’ll get a response tomorrow.
Im guessing it’s quiet there now? Are the pubs and restaurants open? Alderney is my favourite island, but at the moment my other half favours going to Scilly to avoid any hassle.
Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Everywhere is open. It's less busy than previous years partly because of Covid restrictions and partly the relentless south westerlies of the last week - now faded. It's a great time to come. It's more like New Zealand than the rest of the UK as they have been able to control their borders.

Fly your Q Flag as you arrive. Harbour Control on Ch 74 will direct you.
 

longjohnsilver

Well-known member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
18,840
Visit site
I think I’ll give up on my idea of going to Alderney. Seems that even if fully vaccinated I now have to take a supervised Covid test before travelling, in addition to the almost impossible to complete forms, and then the compulsory purchase of lateral flow tests on arrival.
All too much hassle. I’ll go and spend my money somewhere rather more welcoming.

Correction, seems the supervised test, announced on July 23 was rescinded by a further announcement just 3 days later. It doesn’t I still confidence that more changes will be made at very short notice. And I’ve just received a reply to my email, obviously a standard reply as it doesn’t answer my questions. And they are still asking for proof of a negative pcr test before travelling. I suspect they are in for a very quiet August.
 
Last edited:

Poey50

Well-known member
Joined
26 Apr 2016
Messages
2,318
Location
Chichester
Visit site
I think I’ll give up on my idea of going to Alderney. Seems that even if fully vaccinated I now have to take a supervised Covid test before travelling, in addition to the almost impossible to complete forms, and then the compulsory purchase of lateral flow tests on arrival.
All too much hassle. I’ll go and spend my money somewhere rather more welcoming.

I understood a test before travelling was a recommendation not a requirement.

Edit: I just checked. They "strongly recommend" a lateral flow or PCR before travel. It isn't a requirement and may help avoid anyone arriving having to go into quarantine straight away.
 
Last edited:

Amlov

Active member
Joined
13 Mar 2015
Messages
131
Visit site
I understood a test before travelling was a recommendation not a requirement.

Edit: I just checked. They "strongly recommend" a lateral flow or PCR before travel. It isn't a requirement and may help avoid anyone arriving having to go into quarantine straight away.
Just a ‘what if’ but in the unlikely possibility that one of the crew tests positive; what happens next?
I sort of imagine that you would be stuck on a buoy at the edge of beyond with the locals throwing stones at you for ten days. But would you be able to turn round and sail back to the UK knowing that you had a positive test??
It could all get very interesting, and unpleasant, should the wind turn round to the NE.
 

longjohnsilver

Well-known member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
18,840
Visit site
I understood a test before travelling was a recommendation not a requirement.

Edit: I just checked. They "strongly recommend" a lateral flow or PCR before travel. It isn't a requirement and may help avoid anyone arriving having to go into quarantine straight away.
The email I received could be interpreted either way, but the actual rules are as you say.

If I was going I’d be doing my own lateral flow test just before casting off. I fully understand that they are doing their best to protect their residents and rightly so. But if they want visitors they could make the process more user friendly.
 

Poey50

Well-known member
Joined
26 Apr 2016
Messages
2,318
Location
Chichester
Visit site
The email I received could be interpreted either way, but the actual rules are as you say.

If I was going I’d be doing my own lateral flow test just before casting off. I fully understand that they are doing their best to protect their residents and rightly so. But if they want visitors they could make the process more user friendly.

I've not got a dog in this fight but you could argue that testing before setting off means that any quarantining can be done at home, saving a trying spell of quarantine far from home if it shows positive. I'm completely in favour of these restrictions because once cleared you are in a very low Covid area with a number of boats lower than anything seen in the post-war period. We just arrived in Guernsey which is even quieter. It is quite eerie.
 

doug748

Well-known member
Joined
1 Oct 2002
Messages
13,364
Location
UK. South West.
Visit site
I've not got a dog in this fight but you could argue that testing before setting off means that any quarantining can be done at home, saving a trying spell of quarantine far from home if it shows positive. I'm completely in favour of these restrictions because once cleared you are in a very low Covid area with a number of boats lower than anything seen in the post-war period. We just arrived in Guernsey which is even quieter. It is quite eerie.


Yes, the only drawback is a lot of businesses in the hospitality sector have closed or not yet reopened. Not a huge problem but the places that are open can be full at the weekends - otherwise happy days.

.
 

longjohnsilver

Well-known member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
18,840
Visit site
I've not got a dog in this fight but you could argue that testing before setting off means that any quarantining can be done at home, saving a trying spell of quarantine far from home if it shows positive. I'm completely in favour of these restrictions because once cleared you are in a very low Covid area with a number of boats lower than anything seen in the post-war period. We just arrived in Guernsey which is even quieter. It is quite eerie.
I don’t disagree with any of the above. The biggest problem I’m having is with the required forms. Well, that’s not quite true as I’ve now given up on them. It’s now either Scilly or stay here in the West Country
 

ashtead

Well-known member
Joined
17 Jun 2008
Messages
6,418
Location
Surrey and Gosport UK
Visit site
Yes, the only drawback is a lot of businesses in the hospitality sector have closed or not yet reopened. Not a huge problem but the places that are open can be full at the weekends - otherwise happy days.

.
You can get that on the Isle of Wight as well or even Weymouth a town not known originally for its range of good eateries sadly although a couple seem to be good in the high street.
 
Top