Guernsey is an island full of beauty at every turn. Whether you are looking for easy access, yet likely to be a more busy beach or a more off the beaten track hidden beach, you will be surprised at how many of both you can find. One of the most popular hidden gems in Guernsey is Fermain Bay, a small pebbly beach with crystal clear waters surrounded by greenery.
Plan your weekend break to Guernsey with this detailed two-day itinerary
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Fermain Bay is the perfect place to go in Guernsey on a warm, sunny day either for a walk around the coastal paths or for a dip in the sea. In this guide, we will discuss the best time to go to Fermain Bay as well as the following
- What is Fermain Bay?
- Where is Fermain Bay?
- How to get to Fermain Bay?
- Why Should I go to Fermain Bay?
- When Should I go to Fermain Bay?
- Preparing for your trip to Guernsey
Fermain Bay Hidden Beach in Guernsey
What is Fermain Bay?
Fermain Bay is a small pebbly bay overlooking the crystal clear blue waters of the Channel. Fermain Bay is a popular place for boats to pull up during a warm summer’s day as many choose to swim in the refreshing seawater. Fermain Bay beach cafe sits above the beach with outdoor picnic benches lining the grass overlooking the beach.
Fermain Bay sits just off the track of a coastal path that hugs the south-east coast of Guernsey. From Fermain Bay you can either choose to follow the cliff path east, to St Peter Port or west towards Jerbourg.
Where is Fermain Bay?
Fermain Bay is located on the east coast on Guernsey near St Martins. It sits beneath the Fermain Valley and can be accessed from Fermain Lane which sits beside the Fermain Valley Hotel in St Martins. Fermain Bay is a secluded pebbly beach meeting clear blue refreshing seawater. We would advise wearing water shoes here at the stones underfoot can be painful to walk on.
How to get to Fermain Bay?
There are 3 ways to access Fermain Bay. If you are driving you can drive down Fermain Lane route where you will find a car park halfway down the hill. You will need to walk the rest of the way down to the bay as parking is no longer allowed at the bottom. The hill is steep so it is a strenuous climb back up.
You can take the following bus routes which will conveniently drop you near the top of Fermain Lane and you can walk down 91, 92, 93, 94, 95
The other options to get to Fermain Bay is by following the coastal cliff walk, either from St Peter Port or from Jerbourg. From St Peter Port, you can start the route near Octopus which will take you up alongside the Val de Terres. The route can also be started at the Vallette Bathing Pools normally, however, due to a landslide this entrance is closed at the moment.
On the route, you will pass Clarence Battery, an outer defence of Fort George, Guernsey’s military headquarters in the 1780s. You will also walk through Bluebell woods, a section of the woods blossoming with bluebells during the spring months. This section of the walk takes around 45 minutes to walk.
The route from Jerbourg will pass by plenty of beautiful stop off spots where you can rest your legs and take in the stunning views out at sea. The route is very up and downhill, with steps in place to make the walk a bit easier. Also taking around 45 minutes to walk, this is a great walk to get your legs burning.
Why Should I go to Fermain Bay?
This is simple, you will not regret your visit to Fermain Bay. Enjoy some lunch in the Fermain Beach Cafe and then head into the sea for a dip in the bay. There are toilet facilities and a water fountain for your convenience whilst you are there. Fermain Bay is the perfect place to chill out and relax whilst listening to the waves crashing on the shore on a warm day.
With amenities close by, Fermain Bay is the perfect place to spend all day outdoors.
When Should I go to Fermain Bay?
Fermain Bay is delightful during the warm summer months on a sunny day. The crystal clear water is so inviting for a swim to cool off in the hot weather. The summer months are also a great time for taking a cliff walk around the area as it is a great experience on a dry day. If you want to bring your dog to Fermain Bay, you will need to do so outwith 1st May-30th September as dogs are banned on the beach during this time of year.
Fermain Bay is also a fantastic place to either admire sunrise or sunset in Guernsey, proving a popular spot for swimming. We would come here regularly to kick off the day with a sunrise swim and it was simply beautiful.
Before You Leave for Guernsey
Before you leave on your trip to the beautiful island of Guernsey, there are a number of things you will need to organise to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best travel insurance for Guernsey.
How to Get to Guernsey
Given that Guernsey is an island, you really have two choices of transport for getting there: plane or boat. Both of these transport methods are available from the UK, France and from the neighbouring Channel Islands.
Ferry to Guernsey
Condor is the best option for ferries to and from the Channel Islands from the mainland. Leaving from the mainland UK ports of Poole and Portsmouth, the French port of St Malo and the Channel Islands port of Jersey, two main ferries will bring you to Guernsey.
The faster boat, known as the Liberation, takes 3 hours to get from Poole to Guernsey, while the slower boat, known as the Clipper, takes 7 hours from Portsmouth. From St Malo, it will take you just under 2 hours aboard the Rapide to reach Guernsey.
Browse all of Condor’s ferries and routes on their website here.
Fly to Guernsey
Flying to Guernsey can be done from multiple airports across the UK with the Channel Islands airline, Aurigny. This is the quickest and easiest way to get to the island if you are only coming for a short period of time.
You can browse all of the available flights and routes on the Aurigny website here.
What to Pack for Guernsey
What you need to pack for Guernsey will rely highly on when you make your trip to the Channel Islands. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and storming gales.
The temperatures generally vary from 10 oC to 25 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, northerly winds and warmer southerlies. There is a small amount of rain, with maybe 1 in 7 days receiving rainfall, which makes it perfect for days out exploring the beautiful island.
During the Summer months in Guernsey, temperatures tend to range from 20oC to 30oC, with some days topping 35oC. Summer days in Guernsey are perfect for the beach, with many locals and travellers alike sending their day soaking up the sun and playing in the sea.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Guernsey can be strong, especially in the summer months.,
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Guernsey, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7 Mirrorless Camera
Main Lens – Sony F3.5-5.6 28mm-70mm
Camera Stand – Neewer Portable 177cm
Vlogging Camera – Sony HX90v
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 8 Black
Drone Camera – DJI Spark
Camera Bag – Yahan Camera Bag
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Guernsey
Regardless of what type of trip you are heading on, one thing that is essential for everybody is good travel insurance. Accidents can happen anywhere and at anytime and unexpected hospital bills will ruin a holiday. Remove the stress from your next adventure and get covered for the worst.
World Nomads Travel Insurance provides budget reliable travel insurance that will keep you covered for any level of adventure.
You can get your quote before you leave on your trip right here.
Where to Stay in Guernsey
When it comes to accommodation on Guernsey, you are simply spoiled for choice with a huge range of hotels, B&Bs and even campsites to choose from. No matter what your preferred level of luxury is, there is the perfect place for you.
Luxury – Spend your time on Guernsey in true luxury at the Old Government House Spa and Hotel in St Peter Port. This hotel has beautiful views over the harbour of Guernsey’s capital, as well as access to a luxurious spa, an outdoor terrace and a heated, outdoor pool.
Book your stay at the Old Government House Spa and Hotel here.
Mid-range – If you would like a taste of luxury at an affordable price, then the Auberge du Val Hotel is perfect for you. This 19th-century farmhouse sits on the west coast of the island and offers cosy, ensuite rooms, complete with tea, coffee and tv. The hotel is just a short walk from the beautiful nature reserves in St Saviour, perfect for a romantic trip away for the weekend.
Book your stay at the Auberge du Val Hotel here.
Budget – Situated just 2-miles from Guernsey airport in the heart of St Martins, the Carlton Inn is the best value hotel in Guernsey. With free parking and wifi, as well as access to the Wicked Wolf pub that sits in the same building.
Book your stay at the Carlton Inn here.
Camping – If you are up for a more adventurous stay on Guernsey, Fauxquets Valley Campsite offer a range of glamping safari tents, glamping pods and sites for your own tent if you bring one. Visit their website for a full price list of tents and campsites.
So there you have it, a complete guide to Fermain Bay in Guernsey! This is just one of the many beautiful beaches and cliff views along the southern coast of the island, so make sure you read our other Guernsey guide to discover even more of them.
If you enjoyed your trip to Guernsey, let us know what your favourite sight on this amazing island was in the comments section below. We love chatting you guys about this kind of thing, so let’s share our top experiences with everyone else! What beach was your favourite? Did you try any of the kiosks? How good is a Guernsey sunset?!
Also, make sure you share this article with your family and friends to show them how beautiful the Channel Islands can be. Sharing is caring and we want to inspire as many people as we can to visit this unbelievable part of the world.
If you are planning a trip to Guernsey soon then check out our other Channel Islands content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from Guernsey and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers on our social channels!
Now Read:
- Petit Port Guernsey – A Complete Guide
- Sunset Spots in Guernsey – Best Places to Watch the Sunset
- Eating Out in Guernsey – Best Restaurants in Guernsey
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