Summer Island Hopping from Guernsey

All information in this blog post is correct as of the publishing date,  11.01.21.

When exploring new places, choice is everything. Being given the opportunity to explore new places is the whole reason we all go on holiday, right? When you visit the delightful Island of Guernsey you don’t just have to settle for one beautiful location, you have the opportunity to easily go Island Hopping. What is Island-hopping I hear you cry? Well, picture this, one holiday, three locations!

Getting to discover the archipelago of the Channel Islands is not only beautiful but remarkable and a holiday to Guernsey gives you a great base location from which to start your island exploration. Arriving by air or sea, Guernsey reveals itself to visitors as a spot on the horizon that then opens itself to display a beautiful landscape of historical, commercial and financial relevance.

Guernsey alone has plenty to offer, whether it’s the 27 bays with unspoilt beaches, the 28 miles of cliff top walks or the vibrant and bustling capital of St Peter Port. All of these features help make Guernsey the perfect island holiday destination. What adds to the charm of the island is the ease as to which you can explore the surrounding landscapes. With boats taking you to Sark in 45 minutes and Herm in 20 minutes, there really is no excuse not to strap on your sea legs and get travelling!

Island Hopping to Sark

We’ll start with Sark, the more traditional Island. With a population of under 600 people, this three-mile long Island offers visitors an experience of almost stepping back in time. Sark boasts no cars, no tarmac, no noise. Chloe Steadman from Visit Guernsey said:

“Sark really feels like you have stepped back in time, with horse and carriage rides and a quaint village. The cliffs are dramatic and landscape is breath-taking. Sark is probably most well-known for the best lobster lunches in the Channel Islands. It also has a dark sky status and its own observatory!”

Sark Dark Skies

Daily ferries from Guernsey are available with the Isle of Sark Shipping Company. There are up to five sailings per day in summer with return adult fares costing £31.50 and return child fares priced at just £16.00. There are special offers for both adults and children throughout the Summer with prices down to £19.90 per adult return and £10.00 for children! Alternatively, island hopping packages are available through Guernsey Travel. One package includes travel to both Herm & Sark including, in the latter bicycle hire, lunch & entrance to La Seigneurie Gardens.

What keeps Sark a relevant holiday destination is more than the beautiful coastal walks and horse & carriage rides, towards the end of July the annual Sark Sheep Racing takes place which is every bit as fun as it sounds. From stalls and activities such as Crown & Anchor to face painting, this is a true slice of local revelry for any and every one.

Sheep Racing in Sark

Island Hopping To Herm

The second Island you’ll get the pleasure of viewing is Herm. Herm is the baby of the Channel Islands, a fresh faced and striking isle with a year-round population of only 60 people! Herm isn’t as traditional as Sark but it maintains the beauty of the islands and might be the best place in the British Isles for a spot of sunbathing. Chloe from Visit Guernsey adds:

“Herm is the best for sun bathers; we call it a Paradise Island as it has beautiful sandy beaches, outdoor activities and is always a bit sunnier than the rest of the archipelago. We tell visitors to take extra sun-cream to avoid the Herm-Burn. It is a great place for families and we would suggest it to anyone who visits the Channel Islands.”

Belvoir Bay, Herm 

When visiting Herm there are a number of things to look out for – Look out for seals on the north-east coast where a colony of 35 Atlantic seals have their home just off Herm. You can also get up early and watch the sunrise from Belvoir Bay, or, if you aren’t an early riser, watch the amazing sunset from Herm’s west coast. Something you must do is dine in the exquisite 2 rosette Conservatory Restaurant at the White House Hotel and select from one of the best wine lists in the Channel Islands.

There are many reasons why you’d want to investigate the Channel Islands and each location has a different ethos to offer. The Islands may differ but are still linked by a rich history and personal charm that will have you always wanting more.