In 2015, I moved to the small island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. As much as I was working a lot to save up money for our travels, I still made sure I saw a lot of the incredible island. Lucky for me, a lot of the beautiful sights and activities that can be found on Guernsey are completely free! That is just one of the many reasons why we love the seaside.

Need some inspiration for visiting this incredible place? Here are our favourite things to do in Guernsey!

 

Plan your trip to the island of Guernsey with this detailed two-day itinerary!

 

guernsey pinterest image

 

 

 

Join us as we explore the best of Guernsey in all of our video guides. Make sure you subscribe to our Youtube channel for more by clicking here!

 

 

 

Things to do in Guernsey – A Guernsey Guide

Guernsey Beaches

Guernsey is blessed with some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches and pebbled bays in the world. There are 27 on the main island and plenty more to explore of its neighbouring islands Herm, Sark and Alderney. Most of the beaches are easily accessible however, some of the smaller bays it is easier to access them by foot.

Vazon Bay is the most popular surfing beach on the island and is busy all year round. Other beaches are busy in Summer, with only the occasional brave swimmer in the cooler months. Most of the beaches are dog friendly all year round, however, a few only allow dogs between October and April. Out of all of these incredible spots, Cobo has to be my favourite beach.

The sunsets on this part of Guernsey are unforgettable and definitely an activity you won’t want to miss on your trip here. The public bus will stop at Cobo Bay, you can check the timetable here.

 

Guernsey Sunsets

 

 

Kiosks

Located around the sea are beach kiosks, the perfect way to heat you up in the sea or cool you down if you’re lying on the beach. They sell most things from hot and cold drinks, hot food, snacks and ice cream. Some kiosks even have loyalty cards when you buy a hot drink, which is an added bonus. Not all kiosks are open all year round however you will always be able to find one somewhere on the island.

If you are going to buy a hot drink, make sure you remember to bring your reusable cup with you to reduce the amount of single-use plastic on the island. They are reasonably priced for a stop off in the middle of your day to chill and watch the waves. I would recommend trying the Guernsey Ice cream if you are there in the Summer months.

 

Ice cream by the sea

 

 

Guernsey Restaurants

The food alone in Guernsey would be a reason I would recommend a visit there. There is a brilliant selection of really tasty restaurants and if you visit between October/November you will be lucky enough to experience “Tennerfest“. This is a festival held in many Guernsey restaurants, hotels, bistros, pubs and cafes. It was created around the principle of great food at a great price and you will find many places doing a varied 3-course menu for £10, £15 or £20.

Guernsey also does a great cheap fish and chips and the portions are massive. A wee tip might be to order chips to share if you are with someone else, as I challenge you to finish the whole portion by yourself!

 

Read about all of the best restaurants in Guernsey and get planning your trip to this beautiful island.

 

 

Guernsey Cliff  Walks

There are many beautiful cliff-walks around the island, the longest taking you from the historic bathing pools at La Vallette to the most south-westerly tip of the island. The views out to sea, of the neighbouring islands, as well as Castle Cornet sitting guarding St Peter Port, are absolutely magnificent on a clear day. In the spring, you will find the bluebells in Bluebell Woods in full bloom, making it a perfect rest stop to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

If you are short for time, then this can be broken down into 7 separate walks, each as beautiful as the next.  There are many picturesque bays along the route, which are also perfect for a stop off and even a paddle in the sea. Moulin Huet is one in particular, with a kiosk offering the perfect spot for a bite to eat.

Regardless of what your taste of adventure is, you won’t be disappointed by a Guernsey cliff walk!

 

 

Day Trips from Guernsey

Guernsey’s neighbouring islands are Herm, Sark and Alderney, all within reachable distance for a day trip. You can catch a boat to these islands from the harbour or there are regular flights to Alderney from Guernsey Airport.

 

 

 

Chill Vibes

Guernsey is one of the safest places I have ever been. The laid back feeling of the island is one of the main reasons I fell in love with it. Everyone is very trusting of one another and many people wouldn’t even lock their front doors (not that I recommend you do this!). A common occurrence in our house was that we didn’t even keep our door closed so we ended up with mice! (Definitely don’t do this)!

During the summer months you will find balcony gigs at Cobo Bay on most Sundays. These are the perfect way to make the most of a busy weekend, and chill on the beach with some amazing live music.

 

 

Guernsey History

There is so much history to learn about whilst you are in Guernsey. The island was occupied by the Germans for the majority of World War II so there are plenty of underground bunkers to explore and also the German underground hospital. 

 

Guernsey

 

 

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, there are two main ferries that 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 10oC to 25oC 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 pack as much sunscreen as you can. The sun in Australia is strong, and even the darkest skin tones can get easily burnt. No matter what the season is or how warm you may feel, you should always wear sunscreen in Australia.

 

Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around the Fleurieu Peninsula, 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 Lense – 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.

 

Guernsey

 

 

Guernsey is a gem of an island and one of the best places I have ever lived. So much to learn, see, do and appreciate. If you are taking a trip to the UK then I definitely recommend a visit to this amazing place!

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!

 

 

Read Now:

 

 

This article may contain affiliate links that provide us with a small income. For more information read our Affiliate page.


Save this to your Guernsey Pinterest board for later

guernsey pinterest image

 

 

 

 

 

This Post Has 9 Comments

    1. Campbell

      It’s such a beautiful place ?❤️

      1. Jessica

        I’ve never even heard of it before. Such a treat to learn about it and see pictures.

        1. Campbell

          We had no idea where it was, until Gemma got the Job offer! Part of our hearts have been left here though and we cannot wait to go back.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.