All Places in Guernsey

Venus pool is a tidal pool protected from the elements by granite cliffs. Completely covered by the sea at high tide, at low tide a circular pool originally some eighteen feet (six metres) deep but now a lot less due to rock falls.

Pembroke Bay is a large sandy beach with central rocky outcrops that divides it into two locally recognised beaches – Pembroke and L’Ancresse. It’s gentle sloping nature makes it popular for swimmers, kayakers and kite boarders. Occasionally, some boats will drop anchor in the summer sun. The Pembroke end has a narrow strip of pebble beach up against the sea wall and also around the central portion of the bay. Small forts can be found at either headland of Pembroke Bay. L’Ancresse golf course’s 15th and 16th holes run alongside the bay. A few minutes walk to the north west of Pembroke is Jaonneuse Bay which is a small sandy beach as a high tide alternative. There a couple of small parks right next to it. Five minuntes from Pembroke car park, up and across the golf course’s 17th hole, the Millennium Stone monument can be found which commands a beautiful panoramic vista across L’Ancresse common. There are toilets and car parks at both ends of the bay. At the Pembroke/western end, there is the recently refurbished and fully licensed Beach House cafe and kiosk which offers everything you should need at a beach. At the eastern end you will find a more traditional kiosk that serves up the usual things and you can deckchairs etc. Buses stop a short walk from the access slipway.

Alderney Lighthouse was built in 1912 in order to act as a guide to passing shipping and to warn vessels of the treacherous waters around the Isle. It is sited on Quénard Point, to the north-east of the Island. The Alderney Race, a notorious strait of water between Alderney and Cap de la Hague in France includes the strongest tidal streams in Europe. These are caused by the tidal surge from the Atlantic building up in the cul de sac of the gulf of St Malo with the only escape in the north east corner between Alderney and Cap de la Hague. Water flows through at speed at high tide and is sucked back down through as the tide recedes. An uneven sea bed adds to the turbulance with a number of hazardous rocks located within a few miles of the lighthouse. Alderney has a visitor centre but opening is restricted.

Clonque beach is a stoney/gravelly beach ideal for rock pooling. Small car park around coastal track behind Fort Tourgis.

Cobo beach is probably the second most popular beach on Guernsey. It is primarily a sandy channel lying between the distinctive Cobo geology. It is deceptively steep around the half-tide mark and at low tide the sea is not anything like as far to reach as other beaches on the island. Car parks can be found at both ends of the beach. To the south is a kiosk and toilets next to the access slipway. At the northern end is Cobo village where a small supermarket, post office, garage and chip shop can be found. The very popular Rockmount pub is located centrally along the coast road.

Like the Venus Pool on Little Sark, the Adonis Pool is a mid-tide deep rock pool. However it is much more difficult to access than Venus.

La Grande Grève beach is the largest and one of the most popular beaches on Sark. This west facing beach is one of the few sandy beaches on Sark and access is via a climb down the 100-metre cliff via the path and stairway.

Jerbourg Point does not have a beach but does provide magnificent views of the other islands. There is a easy walk around the headland that loops back around to Doyle Column which you pass on the way to the car park. Kiosk, toilets, car park.

The Hanois Lighthouse rises from a reef on the south west side of the Island of Guernsey, and takes its name from the group of rocks – Les Hanois.