first time to Channel Islands !

[kcrane]

Another vote for going straight to the CI's, unless you want to 'go abroad', it is nice sometimes to say you took the boat to France. I can't remember ever being asked for a passport, SWMBO always shows them, usually to shrugged shoulders.

Going straight there isn't too bad. The boring bit is the Channel, nothing but grey water and the odd large ship. Once you get in sight of Alderney there is enough to see to keep you interested all the down to StPP.

Don't worry about the complicated looking coastlines and rocks around the CIs, you won't go anywhere near them anyway, other than to moor up of course. I found it far less intimidating in the flesh than on a paper chart.

Do think about wind over tide (as in avoid it if possible), the currents are strong even if the wind is light. There is a quirk to tides and wind around Jersey that means one side can be calm whilst another is darned uncomfortable - it seemed to matter whether you go around clockwise or anti-clockwise but I could never work it out

It is a great place to visit, hope you get good weather.

 

[kcrane]

Looking upstream from 'Kiki's' at lowish tide

i felt quite sorry for this frenchman, saw him launching from trailer and thought there can't be much water left. I was enjoying my meal and beer and watched him stop in the channel and jump out to start pushing and running the engine in tilted position. I took this photo 10 mins later and the poor guy had driven into the only shallow patch in whole channel from the slipway to sea.

6 hours later he refloated............

Excellent pics JD, brings back memories of last year's trips.

 

[SBUK]

Another vote for going straight to the CI's, unless you want to 'go abroad', it is nice sometimes to say you took the boat to France. I can't remember ever being asked for a passport, SWMBO always shows them, usually to shrugged shoulders.

Going straight there isn't too bad. The boring bit is the Channel, nothing but grey water and the odd large ship. Once you get in sight of Alderney there is enough to see to keep you interested all the down to StPP.

Don't worry about the complicated looking coastlines and rocks around the CIs, you won't go anywhere near them anyway, other than to moor up of course. I found it far less intimidating in the flesh than on a paper chart.

Do think about wind over tide (as in avoid it if possible), the currents are strong even if the wind is light. There is a quirk to tides and wind around Jersey that means one side can be calm whilst another is darned uncomfortable - it seemed to matter whether you go around clockwise or anti-clockwise but I could never work it out

It is a great place to visit, hope you get good weather.

Thanks for the 'vote' Kcrane - going direct does seem to be the popular choice. Plus even if immense boredom kicks in, there's the Alderney option - which based on doing a quick distance line on the navionics app is pretty much the same distance away as Cherbourg anyway (circa. 62NM)....

As you say - it's all down to the weather now!

 

[JerseyDiver]

i agree with the direct CI option but depending on your departure time? Why not stop in Alderney for lunch and a stroll then depart in the early evening to get to Guernsey. avoids a potential uncomfortable nights on a buoy but gives you a chance to visit Alderney. And break up the trip. even tie up for a coffee and delay to get best tide through the race etc. Means you will be familiar should you return during the week with the family and friends.