Located off the west coast of Guernsey, Lihou Island is the most westerly point in the Channel Islands. This tiny island is only accessible when the tide is low enough to reveal the causeway beneath and make it safe to walk over.
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Lihou Island, Guernsey - Why Should You Visit?
Lihou Island is the perfect place to go in Guernsey on a warm, sunny day either for a walk around the footpaths or for a dip in the sea. In this guide, we will discuss the best time to go to Lihou Island as well as the following
- What is Lihou Island?
- Where is Lihou Island?
- Wildlife on Lihou Island
- How to get to Lihou Island?
- Why Should I go to Lihou Island?
- When Should I go to Lihou Island?
- Things to do on Lihou Island
- Preparing for your trip to Guernsey
What is Lihou Island?
Lihou Island is the smallest island in Guernsey, covering only 38 acres! There are no inhabitants on Lihou Island, however, there is one house on the island that is available to rent out year-round.
It books up fast though so you will need to be quick and plan ahead if you would like to stay here. and we will go into that in more detail later. The only way to get around Lihou Island is by foot and it takes no more than 1 hour to walk around.
The States of Guernsey own Lihou Island and have done since 1995 when it was purchased from the British Crown. This was to ensure that locals and visitors would be guaranteed to access the island. The Lihou Charitable Trust are responsible for the house and it’s grounds.
The house is orientated towards schools using it however adult gatherings are also available to book. It is worth noting that the house does not cater for 18th, 21st or stag parties.
Where is Lihou Island?
Lihou Island is the most westerly point in Guernsey in the Channel Islands. It can be found across from L’Eree headland, in between L’Eree and La Roques and would be difficult to miss. At low tide the causeway becomes evident as the pathway across to Lihou Island.
Wildlife on Lihou Island
There is an abundance of wildlife and a diverse range of plants on the island. During the months of January to July, areas on the island are corned off with rope for protection for wildlife.
Dogs are not allowed on Lihou Island to protect the local wildlife. However, the walk around L’Eree headland is enjoyable and dogs are allowed there.
How to Get to Lihou Island?
Lihou Island is the most westerly point in Guernsey. To get to Lihou Island, you will need to head to L’Eree headland where there is a small car park. This can often be very busy on a nice day so make sure you get there early.
Access to Lihou Island is across a 570m ancient tidal causeway, that you will be able to see from the car park. This causeway becomes available for two weeks every month at low tide.
The causeway can be slippy as it is still wet from the falling tide, there may also be some residue seaweed. At some parts, the causeway path disappears and you will need to walk through the stones, which may be resembling large puddles. It is advisable to wear strong shoes across to Lihou Island.
Why Should I Go to Lihou Island?
Lihou Island is a lovely day away from the hustle and bustle of mainland Guernsey. On a sunny day there are beautiful views to take in whilst you walk around.
Being away from the mainland also means being away from any amenities. There is no food or drink available to buy on the island and there are also no toilet facilities. The nearest toilets are at L’Eree beach.
When you arrive onto the island, we would advise turning left and taking the route in a clockwise direction. That way, you will pass the main sights on the island first. We will discuss these in more detail below.
When Should I Go to Lihou Island?
We would advise giving yourself 20 minutes to get across the causeway as you may have to work out how to avoid the puddles and may get distracted by the flora and fauna in the small rock pools on either side of the causeway.
Things to Do on Lihou Island
St Mary’s Priory
Venus Pools
From here you can also see two islets, just sitting out to the west named Lihoumel. There is no access to these as endangered birds use them as breeding grounds.
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.
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. 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.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
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 A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Main Lens – Sony FE 16-35 mm f/2.8 GM
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Stand – Neewer Portable 177cm
Vlogging Camera – Sony HX90v
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 8 Black
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 2
Camera Bag – Lowepro Flipside 300 AW
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Guernsey?
If you are simply planning on heading to Guernsey for a holiday, 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, your complete guide to visiting Lihou Island! This is just one of the many great things to do in Guernsey, and we would recommend that you give visiting Lihou Island a go on your trip to Guernsey.
If you found this guide to the Lihou Island useful, please let us know in the comments section below. We love chatting you guys about this kind of thing, and sharing our top experiences with everyone else! What site was your favourite? Do you have any places to add that we missed out?
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:
- Things to do in Guernsey – A Guernsey Guide
- Sunset Spots in Guernsey – Best Places to Watch the Sunset
- Eating Out in Guernsey – Best Restaurants in Guernsey
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