Channel Isles with Kids

[jac]

Planning on visiting the CI from 15th August for 2 weeks . One of our favourite places to go on a boat, however we've not yet done it with the children ( 9 and 7) so we've focussed more on walking round the islands / nice restaurants etc

Being kids they use fresh water as they do at home so need a marina / hose every 2-3 days as a minimum but equally they want beaches / places to explore in their 2 person kayak. Outline idea is to not sail every day but spend 2 nights in each of Jersey / Guernsey and Alderney giving kids a good day to run ashore before moving on but can then add in extra days depending on weather / foibles etc

Looking for suggestions of must see / must visit / great beaches in case of good weather or the usual rain. Also any eateries that can be recommended that will happily do kids menus but also serve up decent adult orientated food.

Also any recommendations for good overnight locations ( apart from the marinas.) Don't mind anchors / buoys etc.

SO where is good?

 

[VicS]

Planning on visiting the CI from 15th August for 2 weeks . One of our favourite places to go on a boat, however we've not yet done it with the children ( 9 and 7) so we've focussed more on walking round the islands / nice restaurants etc

Being kids they use fresh water as they do at home so need a marina / hose every 2-3 days as a minimum but equally they want beaches / places to explore in their 2 person kayak. Outline idea is to not sail every day but spend 2 nights in each of Jersey / Guernsey and Alderney giving kids a good day to run ashore before moving on but can then add in extra days depending on weather / foibles etc

Looking for suggestions of must see / must visit / great beaches in case of good weather or the usual rain. Also any eateries that can be recommended that will happily do kids menus but also serve up decent adult orientated food.

Also any recommendations for good overnight locations ( apart from the marinas.) Don't mind anchors / buoys etc.

SO where is good?

With children a good plan IMHO would be*** to spend several days ( a week if possible) based in St Helier marina and hire a car to visit the places kids would want to go.

Dont miss the Zoo


*** it wasa good plan when we did it when the kids were young.......

 

[WestwardBound]

The tides are immense so I'd advise constant supervision of the kids in kayak no matter how close inshore.

For Alderney you can take a buoy in Braye and there are beaches and walks near-by, there are anchorages but local knowledge is advised. Chippies in Braye and restaurants up the hill in St Anne, not far to walk.

There is a great beach (called L'Ancresse I think) a short walk from Beaucette marina in Guernsey, sorry about the marina but it's a nice one, once you get in. Restaurants a good walk or short bus ride away in St Peter port.

Otherwise here is the Guernsey local knowledge , http://www.guernseyharbours.gov.gg/article/101957/Anchorages
There are visitors' moorings at Havre Gosselin on Sark.
Havelet Bay is rolly.

The write up in the Almanac is pretty good.

 

[Aardee]

My kids absolutely loved Sark when they were younger, also Herm for the beaches (taking the trip boat from StPP).

 

[jimi]

When our kids were little we took them to Alderney,Guernsey,Sark, Herm and Jersey.

Alderney was surprisingly child friendly, however make sure its not rolly polly in the harbour!!!!!!
Guernsey was brilliant, lots to do.
Jersey, they did'nt take to as much.
Sark was brilliant

Herm was also superb.



Enjoy

 

[billmacfarlane]

If you want a cracking lunch in Jersey, take the bus to St Brelade and visit the Crabshack. Good food for the children and excellent adult seafood overlooking the beach. Afterwards you can doze on the beach and let the children play on one of the most beautiful beaches in Jersey.

 

[l'escargot]

If you want a cracking lunch in Jersey, take the bus to St Brelade and visit the Crabshack. Good food for the children and excellent adult seafood overlooking the beach. Afterwards you can doze on the beach and let the children play on one of the most beautiful beaches in Jersey.

I would second that, though do book as they get busy. Oyster Box next door also good for a nice adult "posh" meal. Also a crab shack at Gorey which you could tie in with a visit to the castle if not a beach day.

I wouldn't bother with anchoring around Jersey*, more trouble than it's worth. As said before the marina in St Helier is a good base with tourist office and bus station just over the road.

*overnight that is. Plenty of nearby bays for a day sail to take the kayaks but you will need to tie them in with the cill opening times/tides at the marina.

 

[Angele]

For beaches in Jersey, the best idea is to choose one that is sheltered from the day's wind (unless it is very hot or very still). You can find a good beach sheltered from wind in any direction. But, the earlier suggestion of St Brelade's Bay is a good one - a lovely beach, and the western part is sheltered from the prevailing SW'lies. There are also some lovely smaller bays close by: Portelet and Beauport, in particular.

Gorey Castle, as already mentioned, is well worth a visit. Of course, Elizabeth Castle is very easy to visit from St Helier Marina.

There are some great bays on the north coast, and some fabulous cliff walks between them - e.g. Bonne Nuit to Bouley Bay. Get the bus to one, walk to the other, get the bus back. (Remember to take plenty of water with you).

You can hire bikes on the Esplanade. From there you can cycle all the way to Corbiere lighthouse (SW corner) without going on any roads, following the route of the old Western Railway. Take the opportunity to stop off at St Aubin on the way and have a good look around the old harbour.

If the weather is poor then the Aquasplash (swimming pool) is on your doorstep, but check what time the flumes and tyre slides are operating before you go in. (There is also a cinema there too). The maritime museum, right next to the marina, is also good for kids.

In short, there is loads to do in Jersey, but the best stuff (when the weather is good) is outside of St Helier.

 

[Way]

Second Crab Shack in Brelades Bay. Great place.

If you can stay at anchor I imagine Sark is awesome for children. I dream of going back there with mine being old enough to enjoy it. great place

Alderney again - great cycling. Nowhere like it. Love the Gannet rocks at the eastern end