Channel Islands - first time

TiggerToo

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So, we may actually go there this summer.

First time.

What would you recommend? We tend to like quiet(er) anchorages, and an occasional visit to a marina/harbour.
 

Tranona

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You will find all of that there. Probably more written about cruising that area than any other because of the challenges and rewards. Get a copy of Robson for navigation and your choice of Pilot book - they are usually paired either with Brittany or S Coast.

Difficult to recommend as nothing bad. How much you manage to take in depends on time, weather and tides. Usual landfall from UK mis Alderney or direct to Guernsey. Get there and into St Peter Port then decide where to go next.
 

Boathook

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All the islands are nice in their different ways. Being able to take the ground opens up more anchorages due to the tidal range. I normally prefer going via Alderney as it makes it easier with my cruising speed.
 

sfellows

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First time, I would recommend Neaps if you can.

Get a detailed tidal atlas. Use the tide, don't fight it.

Alderney is an easy entrance, for a first visit (aim to be well up-tide as you approach) and the island is wonderful, but in NE winds the harbour can be uncomfortable. Fantastic anchorage at Longy Bay.

I wouldn't recommend St Peter Port Marina - it's in a noisy and industrial area. Instead go to Beaucette Marina. Wonderful, quiet place. You can also anchor to the South of the St Peter Port marina which actually looked more peaceful.

Sark does have visitor buoys at La Greve de la Ville, and Havre Gosselin, but in my experience every anchorage around Sark is bouncy and prone to swell, even in settled weather. Dixcart Bay is worth a try too. Sark is definitely worth a visit though.

Several anchorages around Herm that look great too, although I haven't used them (yet).
 

johnalison

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I quite like St Peter Port, though it can be a bit chaotic in the season. In any case, be prepared to spend some time ashore looking at the many sights. Both Guernsey and Jersey have good bus systems, though Jersey is the better. Bike hire can be one way of getting around if you don't have them.
 

Robin

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Coming from west country as I think OP might be, Guernsey via south of island would be my choice with St Peter Port being the target point t of entry, relatively easy tidewise. Otherwise anchorages off Sark east or west are somewhat special. Jersey more commercialised but preferred by milady who likes the shops which I don't , Alderney lovely too given right conditions and a back in time mindset.
 
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LadyInBed

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How long are you going for? That dictates where you can get to.
If you have kids with you, I would check in at St PP, have a look around there for a day or so then go and anchor off E of Herm off Shell Beach and dinghy into the beach. There is also a nice anchorage on the E side of Alderney in Longy Bay.
Arrival and departure dates are critical if you want to navigate the Little Russel in daylight, night passages in that channel can be a little daunting!
Put NP264 Channel Isles : Monty Mariner and NP264 Alderney : Monty Mariner on your phone / tablet / both, also take note of the information here CI's & BRITTANY Tide Directions
 

lustyd

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I love Sark. You can usually pick up a mooring at La Greve de la Ville.
We were there earlier in the week, only boat in the bay due to the “northerly” which was 3 knots ? Worth a mention that it’s rolly when the commercial boats pass and expensive at £15 a night. The moorings are also alarmingly close together when there isn’t enough wind to keep boats pulling in the same direction. Pick up any yellow, the reds belong to Sark Yacht Club.
 

Blueboatman

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This will sound bonkers
I have heard it and kinda go along with this observation that the weather around that part of the channel tends to be better at springs not neaps ?…. daft or what !

Sailed there a fair bit
Just have an exit strategy from your chosen anchorage(s) which will put you into a snug marina if the weather starts to turn
 

Sandy

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We were there earlier in the week, only boat in the bay due to the “northerly” which was 3 knots ? Worth a mention that it’s rolly when the commercial boats pass and expensive at £15 a night. The moorings are also alarmingly close together when there isn’t enough wind to keep boats pulling in the same direction. Pick up any yellow, the reds belong to Sark Yacht Club.
Last time I was there is was free, no commercial boats passing, but that might have been because the fog horn was being well exercised up at the lighthouse.
 

Robin

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Last time I was there is was free, no commercial boats passing, but that might have been because the fog horn was being well exercised up at the lighthouse.
We used to anchor in Havre Gosselin which also had some Sark YC buoys which if you worked out when their owners were still inside the marinas could be a temporary option though we preferred own anchor. Remember once climbing the hundreds of steps up to the bar in a house (Still there?) and being above thefog bank that our boat was in below, spooky going back down the steps into it There is an interesting passage between Sark and the fortified island that is fun to take too but only with the flow
 

lustyd

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Last time I was there is was free, no commercial boats passing, but that might have been because the fog horn was being well exercised up at the lighthouse.
Yes the lady in the information centre said a lot of people don’t pay up, and seemed surprised we intended to pay. There has been a charge for a long time and a sign on the steps now telling you to go to the information centre to pay. Not sure the sign was there last time I went, but good to contribute to their upkeep and the local economy. That said their economy seems to be doing a little too well as it’s quite “built up” since I last visited and a lot of traffic. All still tractors but a constant stream now, quite a shame to see the island go this way.
 

lustyd

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Remember once climbing the hundreds of steps up to the bar in a house (Still there?)
Couldn’t find it. There’s a proper well established chain pub but couldn’t find the more quaint stuff. High street jam packed with shops now too, and an estate agent selling off plots…
 

Robin

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Couldn’t find it. There’s a proper well established chain pub but couldn’t find the more quaint stuff. High street jam packed with shops now too, and an estate agent selling off plots…

Used to enjoy a pub lunch in the gardens at the hotel on Little Sark having walked over the knife edge path. The bar in the house above Hvre Gosselin was run by a lovely old guy in his 90s who had never left the island not even to go over to Guernsey, only seen planes in newspapers or crossing above at 35000 feet
 

TiggerToo

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Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions.

In the end it was:

Guernsey (Beaucette), Herm, Sark, Alderney, Guernsey (StPP, then Petit Bot) and back to the UK.

Great weather, quiet sailing, fabulous holiday for me and my Best Crew (first holiday for the two of us in... forever! - sans kids).
 
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