day trip to jersey

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Jersey day trips around the Channel Islands.

Explore the beauty and diversity of jersey and it's neighbouring islands..

For something a bit different, how about island hopping to some of Jersey’s neighbours or take a trip over to France. Experience the true diversity of the Channel Islands, each with their own personality and story to tell, and easy to reach from Jersey.

Get a taster of our Channel Island neighbours.

On the horizon.

Jersey to Guernsey day trip.

In just over an hour by fast ferry or a 20-minute flight you can get from Jersey to Guernsey, and be strolling through Guernsey’s harbour capital, St. Peter Port. Enjoy your day trip to guernsey by breezing through this seaside gem with its harbour views, salty sea air and hilly cobbled streets that lead through to boutique shops, foodie spots and dinky cafés. Just don’t enjoy yourself too much and forget to come back.

You can get to Guernsey by boat with Condor or step aboard a plane with Blue Islands .

Jersey to Sark day trip.

Arriving in Sark feels like stepping back in time. Welcome to a place where the fastest thing on the road has four legs and a tail, and the pace of life trundles along at an easy clip. Make the most of your Sark day trip and explore the length and breadth of the island by foot, bicycle or even horse and cart with wide open sea views in every direction. Take a morning dip in Dixcart Bay in perfect solitude, spin through winding country lanes on two wheels, before refuelling with a sea-foodie lunch and a crisp glass of white. When the day is done, roll out a blanket and stargaze under some of the darkest skies in Europe. Travel to the island is by boat only, directly from Jersey or from Guernsey.

From Jersey to Sark

Manche Iles Express operates direct ferries several times per week in the summer months. making day trips from Jersey to Sark super easy. Journey time is approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, and the ferry leaves from Elizabeth Terminal.

Book Jersey to Sark

From Guernsey to Sark

The Isle of Sark Shipping Company Ltd. runs a passenger and freight service between Sark and Guernsey throughout the year. Journey time is approximately 55 minutes.

Book Guernsey to Sark

Top tips for a perfect day trip to Sark.

Take in the stunning scenery of this Channel Island on a walk or cycle along La Coupee or Dixcart Bay, or dine the afternoon away at one of the many eateries available on the island. Hire bicycles on arrival to ensure you can take in most of what the island has to offer, or take a horse drawn carriage tour for a relaxing and slower paced way to explore.

• Capture lots of images on your camera for the memories of a unique day trip to Sark. You will want it to capture some of the wonderful species of birds and possibly even Dolphin spotting for your ferry crossing.
• Hire a bicycle when you arrive, or if you prefer to pre-book a horse drawn carriage to show you around the island – don’t forget to stop off on little Sark.

Enjoy your visit to Sark!

Explore Sark

Jersey to Herm day trip.

Herm is a little gem. At a dinky one and a half miles long by a half mile wide, what our smallest Channel Island lacks in size, it more than makes up for in simple beauty. Slow down time and discover a place with no wheels, forget cars or even bicycles, as you set out on foot and breathe in the fresh sea air at your own pace. With windswept coastlines, secluded beaches to get lost on and an authentic local watering hole at the Mermaid Tavern, there’s plenty here to while away a few perfect hours on a day trip to Herm.

Located 3 miles from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, the only way to arrive in Herm Island is by boat – either on one of the Herm Island passenger ferries from Guernsey, or aboard a private vessel.  Therefore, when travelling from Jersey you will need to travel via Guernsey or look at one of our charter partners below.

The Herm passenger ferry, Isle of Herm, takes just 15 minutes from St. Peter Port Harbour in Guernsey with tickets available from the harbour or via the online booking portal .

Across a cobbled causeway from Guernsey, you will find Lihou Island. Offering a real adventure, you can explore ruins, the tidal Venus Pool and RAMSAR wetlands and marine reserves.

Lihou is a birdwatching paradise with over 150 species to observe and is ideal for rockpooling. Perfect for a day trip from Guernsey, or for a group overnight stay at Lihou House.

Hop over to Lihou

Jersey to Alderney day trip.

Alderney is home to historical sites, golden beaches and rich wildlife. With 30 miles of winding lanes and trails you can explore their award-winning museum, hop aboard the Channel Island’s only railway and settle in for some renowned birdwatching. The capital, St. Anne, is filled with excellent restaurants, showcasing a huge range of homegrown produce.

Discover Alderney

A stone’s throw away from the French coastline, you can access Alderney by air and sea from the UK, France and neighbouring Channel Islands.

Whether you want to wander around the cobbled streets of St Anne’s, hire a bike or explore the island by boat, with its many historical sites, rich wildlife and the channel’s only railway, there is so much to discover in this Channel Island.

Hop across to Alderney

From Guernsey to Alderney by air

To visit Alderney from Jersey by air, you will need to travel via Guernsey or Southampton.

Aurigny provides a number of daily flights, year round, between Guernsey and Alderney lasting around 20 minutes, allowing easy connection to and from Guernsey airport.

Blue Islands have several flights per day throughout the year from Jersey to Guernsey which will allow you to connect for your onwards Journey to Alderney with Aurigny.

From Guernsey to Alderney by sea

For those who prefer to travel by sea, you can also take the daily ferry, in peak season ,from Guernsey to Alderney. The journey takes 1.5 hours. There is no direct ferry service from Jersey to Alderney, you would need to first need to travel to Guernsey by air as above or by sea with Condor Ferries.

Book the ferry

Explore the Channel Islands.

How about a day trip to Belle France?

Jersey to saint malo day trips..

For a flavour of France, take a day trip to Saint Malo and visit this historic walled city. Just over an hour away from Jersey by ferry, Saint-Malo’s lively maze of cobbled streets and medieval ramparts are dotted with restaurants, shops and boutiques to explore. Share a chilled bottle of vin blanc with someone special over Breton crêpes and classic Moules À La Creme, all drenched in French sunshine, then potter through quirky souvenir shops and find something effortlessly chic at a French boutique – ah, la vie en rose!

Take me there

Jersey to Carteret day trips.

Where else can you hop over for lunch in France in about the time it takes to cook a fry up? A quick 30-minute RIB trip can whisk you to the French coast and the foodie market town of Carteret, where you’ll find everything from Breton crêperies to Michelin star-studded bistros serving up local fruits de mer. Book a day trip to Carteret with Island RIB Voyages or Jersey Seafaris, and soak in the real French vibes before hopping back to Jersey for a lazy afternoon.

More ways to get to France.

Explore Jersey’s archipelago.

Les ecréhous.

Just six miles off the east coast of Jersey, it only takes 15 minutes on a thrilling RIB ride to arrive at Les Ecréhous, a network of reefs and islands. France is so close you’d be forgiven for thinking you might be on French soil. The islands are, however, part of Jersey.

Explore Les Ecréhous

Les Minquiers

Home to one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, explore Jersey’s archipelago and discover a submerged coastal landscape of reefs and islands, revealed at low tide. Walk, wander and swim around this unique habitat before it’s reclaimed by the sea.

Explore Les Minquiers

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24 Things to do in Jersey, Channel Islands

Updated November 23, 2020

// By Margherita

If you’re looking for things to do in Jersey (I mean the Channel Island, NOT New Jersey!), this post is for you! We’ve included all you need to know before travelling to Jersey, 20 different activities to enjoy during a weekend in Jersey (or longer, if you’re lucky), as well as tips on where to stay!

First things first – this article is about Jersey, Channel Islands. Not New Jersey. Before our trip to this tiny but spectacular island in November, when we told our friends and family ‘we’re going to Jersey’, most assumed we were heading Stateside, and started asking about bringing back Reese’s Pieces and other stuff.

Jersey and New Jersey are two very different places – after all, many places with ‘New’ in the name have an ‘Old World’ counterpart. Think about York and New York, the French city of Orleans that became New Orleans, the Australian state of New South Wales, and even New Zealand – named after the westernmost Dutch province.

Click below to jump to the relevant section!

Interesting things to know before heading to jersey, best jersey walks, historical places in jersey, what to do in jersey for nature lovers, weird things to do in jersey, things to do in jersey with kids, other places to visit in jersey, where to stay in jersey, where to eat in jersey.

Before landing at Jersey airport, I realised I knew little or nothing about the island . I roughly knew its geographical location, and the fact that it was a tax haven – but that’s it. It’s an island, so it must have some beaches, and some nice nature, since it’s quite remote. But I knew nothing about its political system, history, or even about the practicalities of travelling there.

So, before I move onto our massive guide of things to do in Jersey in a weekend or longer stay , here are the most common Jersey-related questions we were asked before and after our trip!

Where is Jersey? How Far is it from England?

Jersey is the largest and southernmost in the British Isles. It is located in the English Channel, but it is a lot closer to France than to Britain – it’s located 22 km from the coast of Normandy, and 160 km from the southern coast of Great Britain.

Is Jersey a Country?

Jersey, or the Bailiwick of Jersey as it is formally known , is not an independent country but a Crown Dependency – meaning it’s self-governing, with its own judicial and financial systems, but it is defended and represented internationally by the United Kingdom.

Jersey is also a separate entity from Guernsey , another Channel Island that forms the Bailiwick of Guernsey jurisdiction along with other smaller nearby islands – which is also a Crown Dependency, like Jersey.

Along with Guernsey and the Isle of Man , Jersey isn’t part of the UK nor the EU, but it is part of the British Isles.

What Currency is Used in Jersey?

The Jersey Pound , which has the same value as the British Pound and is used interchangeably on the island. You may pay in British Pounds and receive Jersey Pounds (including 1 pound notes) as change – make sure you use those up on the island, as they’re not widely accepted in the UK.

Is Jersey Expensive?

We didn’t find Jersey to be expensive – prices are about the same as in the UK outside of London. Hotels can be had for as cheap as £40 a night, a quality pub meal would cost about £15-20 per person and sights and attractions are all very reasonably priced.

What is the Size of Jersey, Channel Islands?

It’s tiny! Really, really tiny! Jersey’s size is only 118.2 square kilometres (45.6 sq miles), including intertidal and reclaimed land. Jersey island is only 8 km (5 miles) long, and 15 km (9 miles) wide. 

What Language is Spoken in Jersey?

The most widely spoken and official language is English. Some people also speak Jèrriais, the original language of Jersey island , with Norman roots. If you speak French, you’ll be able to understand some Jèrriais – to give you an idea, good morning is Bouônjour and goodbye is À bêtôt. 

Polish and Portuguese are also heard around Jersey, as sizeable communities from both countries inhabit the island of Jersey. 

How do you Get to Jersey?

London Gatwick airport is the main gateway to Jersey , with British Airways and Easyjet flying daily year-round. FlyBe provides connections to other UK airports, and there is also a ferry service from Poole and Portsmouth in the UK and St.Malo and Granville in France.

If you’re travelling from Europe to Jersey you’ll probably have to connect at Gatwick. If you find yourself having to spend the night at the airport, make sure you check out YOTELAIR – this airport hotel offers accommodation in spacious pods with ensuite toilet and shower, which can also be rented by the hour!

What’s the Best Way to Get Around Jersey?

We recommend hiring a car , especially if you’re visiting off-season like we did. Jersey’s bus service is called ‘Liberty Bus’ and it’s affordable and reliable, but infrequent in winter.

Having your own car will give you complete freedom to roam the island at will, and it’s quite cheap, with daily rent fees starting from £24 including half a tank of petrol (which will be plenty if you’re planning to visit for 2-3 days).

What is the best time to visit Jersey Island?

The island of Jersey can definitely be considered a year round destination. The climate is similar to that of the southern UK, cool and humid throughout the year. In winter, average highs are around 8°C, dropping slightly at night, whereas in summer high daytime temperatures reach 20/22°C. 

Heatwaves exceeding 25°C are rare – the Atlantic Ocean has a cooling effect on the island climate. Rain is likely to be found throughout the year, with an average of rainy days per month between 7 and 15.

Summer is the driest season, and autumn/winter is the rainiest – don’t forget to pack an umbrella or raincoat, and expect the weather to be variable throughout the day!

How’s Jersey Weather in November?

In our experience, the best way to describe Jersey weather in November is ‘variable’. Due to the island’s remote location, you’ll definitely get 4 seasons in one day, as the weather changes frequently from sunny to windy to cloudy and rainy – and also, don’t take the weather forecast as gospel, as it’s often wrong!

What is Jersey Famous For?

There is SO MUCH to see and do in Jersey. I knew that the island was famous for its delicious dairy and agricultural produce, and that a favourable taxation make it an international finance hotspot, but to be honest I was completely blown away by the sheer amount of stunning landscapes, great walks, beautiful nature and historical sights.

How Long to Visit Jersey?

One weekend is definitely not enough to visit Jersey – but it is enough to focus on what you like best.

This is why we divided this massive list of Jersey points of interest in six sections – best Jersey walks, historical sites, attractions for nature lovers. weird things to do in Jersey, tourist attractions for families and kids, and other places for those that want to enjoy an indulgent ‘Island Break’.

If you have time, we recommend spending up to a week in Jersey. Trust me, the island is indeed small, but there is a lot to see and do. If a week is too long, 4/5 days will be enough to enjoy Jersey island without stressing. You can always return!

Can You Visit Jersey as a Day Trip from France?

You can indeed! Between April and September, there are daily ferries between St Malo in Normandy and St Helier in Jersey. Travel time is 1 hour 20 each way, and you can also board the ferry with your car. 

Naturally, the opposite is also true – you can visit France as a day trip from Jersey! Besides St Malo, a popular destination is Carteret , a French seaside village just half an hour sailing from the island. 

Are There any Other Islands near Jersey?

Oh yes! If you want to go ‘island hopping’ from Jersey, there are plenty of choices. The most obvious choice is Guernsey , the second-largest Channel Island, easy to reach as a day trip from Jersey. 

Other great options are Sark, a nearby car-free island where the main type of transportation are horse carts; Herm, the smallest Channel Island only one and a half mile long, with a population of just 60; or Minquiers, a group of uninhabited islets that also includes Britain’s most southerly point. 

Would you like to discover the best hiking destination in the UK? Read our post about 11 amazing hikes in the Peak District !

1) The North Coast Cliff Paths

One of the main reasons to visit Jersey is exploring its wonderful, varied nature and landscapes, and a well-kept network of paths makes hiking a great way to explore. Plus, you know how much we love hiking! The North Coast is probably the most scenic part of Jersey, with cliffs plunging down to the wild, foamy sea, paths bordered by heather and bracken fern and wild beaches with caves and waterfalls.

You can hike the whole of the North Coast following the Cliff Paths – the stretch from Rozel to Greve de Lecq is about 12 miles (17 km) long and will take you most of the day. We had originally intended to hike the entirety of the path during one of our three days in Jersey , but we had to change plans due to the extreme wind.

A shorter alternative is leaving your car at the Priory Inn pub car park and walking until Devil’s Hole, a crater formed when a cliffside cave collapsed, then joining the coastal path from there and walking as far as you wish – then turning back.

2) The South Coast Paths

The North and South Coast of Jersey could’t be more different – the former is wild and dramatic, whereas the latter allows for gentle walks bordering sandy beaches and well-sheltered bays, where you can also appreciate the extent of Jersey’s impressive tides.

The path between St.Helier and St.Aubin is one of the most popular on the island, bordering St.Aubin’s Bay and offering great views over Elizabeth’s Castle. If you still have some energy, you can keep going all the way to Corbiere Lighthouse, one of Jersey’s iconic points of interest.

3) Val de La Mare Reservoir

This 3 mile (5 km) circular path starts not far from the airport, and it’s ideal for a short afternoon stroll.

The path climbs over the reservoir dam wall, then loops around the Val de La Mare reservoir, offering views over Jersey’s west coast and also the opportunity to explore the recently-restored Forgotten Forest Arboretum , with tree specimens from all over the world.

4) Walk on the Seabed to Icho or Seymour Tower

One of Jersey’s best known features are its impressive tides – the difference between high and low tide is so vast that at low tide Jersey almost doubles in size , as the sea retreats as far as two miles off the shore.

One of the coolest things to do in Jersey is taking advantage of low tides to walk to Icho or Seymour Tower , two coastal defence towers erected in the 18th century following France’s attempt to invade Jersey.

The two towers are located on islets about two miles off the coast, and can be reached only for a few hours every day, when the tide is low enough. Walking on the seabed is an eerie, unique experience – as divers, we found it really bizarre to be able to see above water living beings like anemones, that are normally under the waves.

Seymour Tower is accessible almost every day, but Icho Tower can be reached only a few days per month , as it’s further away and you need specific tide conditions.

Tides are predictable but the Jersey intertidal environment is full of rocks, channelling the incoming and outgoing tide in different directions – for this reason, instead of walking independently to Icho or Seymour Tower we recommend joining guided tours with Jersey Walk Adventures .

Our guide Barry was a Jersey native and he was full of knowledge and anecdotes about Jersey nature – not to mention that tours are a steal at £18 for three hours (with welly rental!)

5) Jersey War Tunnels

If you have time to visit one museum in Jersey , make sure you choose the Jersey War Tunnels , detailing the history of German occupation during WW2 . The museum is located in a partially-built underground hospital complex, erected by the Germans as part of the wartime project to fortify the Channel Islands.

The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by the Nazi forces , and the Jersey War Tunnels present this period of wartime history with exhibits, testimonials and lots of individual stories, allowing visitors to get an understanding not only of the social and historical implications of German occupation, but also to learn about everyday life.

6) Channel Islands Military Museums

War and history junkies should then continue their exploration at the Channel Islands Military Museum , located in a German-built bunker on the West coast of Jersey.

There are lots of military and civilian exhibits and lots of info to take in – compared to the War Tunnels the exhibition is less experiential and interactive, but it’s still worth a visit, and the seaside location makes it even more worthwhile.

7) Elizabeth Castle

This castle is a lot more recent that Mount Orgueil, having been built in the 16th century, but it is no less spectacular. It is located on an island just off St.Aubin’s Bay , accessible on foot walking along a causeway at low tide, or with an amphibious ferry at low tide. If you’re short of time, don’t miss walking along St.Aubin’s bay to snap a pic of the castle!

8) The Best Beach in Jersey – Plemont Bay

For an island that is only 9 miles wide and 5 miles from north to south, making it only 45 square miles, Jersey boasts an enviable number of beaches. When we asked locals about the best beach in Jersey , most people seemed to mention Plemont Bay , located on the northwestern corner of the island. Everyone recommended visiting at low tide, to explore the numerous caves located along the cliffs.

We visited one overcast morning, with the rain coming and going, and yes, Plemont Bay was spectacular – a dramatic ensemble of cliffs with colours ranging from rust to green and steel grey, dotted with caves surrounded by pools and barnacle-topped rocks. One cave even has a waterfall running through it , but sadly it was barely a trickle because of lack of rain.

9) West Coast Sunset

If you’re looking for the best place to watch the sunset in Jersey , head to the West Coast – the La Corbiere Lighthouse is one of the best sunset spots on the island, but if you want a sunset drink you should make your way to the Watersplash, a pub located in St.Ouen’s Bay, one of Jersey’s premier surf locations.

10) Jersey Wetland Centre

This tiny island is also a great birdwatching location! The Jersey Wetland Centre is located close to the west coast, overlooking St.Ouen’s pond. The centre includes a tunnel that leads visitors to a viewpoint over the pond, and to makes things better, entrance is FREE!

Keen birdwatchers should check out the Jersey Birds site, where lists of bird species spotted on the island is published every day.

11) Botanic Gardens at Samares Manor

Garden lovers and those visiting Jersey in spring and summer should definitely pay a visit to Samares Manor, a stunning manor house on the southern coast of Jersey.

In 1920, the current owner created the Botanic Gardens , which can be visited to this day – there are various sections in the gardens, dedicated to herbs, heritage apples and pears, succulents and more, making Samares Manor one of the best places to visit in spring, when flowers are in bloom and the gardens are at their best.

12) La Hougue Bie

Did you know that in Jersey you can find of the oldest buildings in the world , even older than the Pyramids? La Hougue Bie is a passage grave that dates back to Neolithic times – meaning about 6000 years ago! There’s also a small archeological museum providing an insight into Neolithic life, and a chapel built on top of the burial mound in medieval times.

13) Mount Orgueil Castle

Mount Orgueil Castle overlooking the village of Gorey is another of Jersey’s iconic images. Most visitors are happy walking down the Gorey Pier to snap the perfect picture of the castle, built over 800 years ago and one of the best examples of Medieval architecture on the island.

However, if you have time, we recommend touring the interiors of the castle as well , getting lost between turrets, passages and secret rooms, and exploring some of the quirky sights found throughout the castle like the Wheel of Urine , the replica of a medieval device that diagnosed illnesses from the colour of one’s urine.

If you’re up for a truly adventurous and unforgettable experience, you can go abseiling down the medieval walls of Mount Orgueil Castle!

14) Night-time Full Moon or Bioluminescence Walks

Jersey Walk Adventures also organises night time walks at low tide, typically heading to Seymour Tower. Depending on when you’re visiting, you may have the chance to go on a full-moon walk, or on a bioluminescence walk , held on the darkest nights of the moon cycle, when shiny plankton is visible around the rocks.

We were originally scheduled to go on a full-moon walk, but we had to cancel due to heavy rain – giving us a reason to head back to Jersey!

15) Yoga on a Deserted Island

Ok, technically this is not on Jersey itself. Minquiers are a group of uninhabited islands , rocks and sandbanks south of the island of Jersey, marking the most southerly point in Great Britain. 

You can join guided tours to Minquiers with Jersey Seafaris , including transport by boat to and from Jersey. Tours usually include time on Maitresse , the main island, as well as time spent enjoying the outer sandbanks, where the water is so blue and clear you’ll feel as if you’re in the Maldives!

Another amazing, unique experience is enjoying a yoga class on the beach in Minquiers. You may see dolphins swim past, and the sunshine and stunning scenery are sure to make your practice unforgettable!

16) Jersey Zoo (formerly Durrell Wildlife Park)

Before you all go ‘I don’t go to zoos’ , please read this. Jersey Zoo, formerly known as Durrell Wildlife Park , is the world’s first zoo dedicated to conservation projects, opened by naturalist Gerald Durrell in 1959.

The zoo is just part of larger conservation projects, and profits are invested back into the field – some of the species that the Durrell Conservation Trust work with include the aye aye , a mysterious nocturnal animal from Madagascar famous for its large eyes and oversized middle finger, but also less ‘flashy’ animals like the orange-tailed skink, surviving on a single island off the coast of Mauritius.

You can also stay at Jersey Zoo in flashy glamping tents, recreating the feel of a luxury safari – perfect for those visiting Jersey with kids!

17) Pallot Steam and Motor Museum

Are your kids into trains, locomotives and fire engines? The Pallot Steam and Motor Museum in Trinity is a great way to spend a rainy day in Jersey , something that you’re likely to have in all seasons!

In the museum you’ll find a vast collection of all kinds of vehicles, including trains, vintage bicycles and tractors, agricultural machinery and more. There’s also station dating back to Victorian times, and on Thursdays you can take guided tours on vintage steam trains!

18) aMaizin! Adventure Park

This place is one of the best Jersey tourist attractions for families! You can easily spend an entire day enjoying aMaizin Adventure Park , with lots of family-friendly attractions available with a single entry fee. 

You’ll found toboggan, bouncy castles, tractor rides and an indoor play area for those rainy Jersey days. There’s also a farm with plenty of miniature animals for your kids to meet and play with!

19) Valley Adventure Centre 

Another great option for adventurous families and kids visiting Jersey. At Valley Adventure Centre you can get your thrills up on a variety of tree roped courses, go climbing, zip-lining and swing from trees. 

If you prefer to remain with your feet on the ground, you can have archery lessons, do paintball or laser combat. Perfect for a fun family day out in Jersey!

20) Mansell Car Collection

Remember Nigel Mansell, the mustachioed F1 driver famous in the 1980s and 90s? After the end of his motoring career he settled in Jersey and opened the Mansell Collection , including a museum about his career and life and some spectacular F1 cars on display.

The museum is located in an Art Deco building and Nigel himself often visits – if you’re an F1 fan, don’t miss it! Definitely one of the most unusual Jersey points of interest!

21) Shopping in St.Helier

To be honest, we only spent a short amount of time in St.Helier, as we wanted to visit natural points of interest in Jersey instead.

Jersey’s capital still feels like a small village, but it has plenty of shopping opportunities – from iconic department stores like Voisins and De Gruchy to independent retailers and food markets, St.Helier is the perfect place to get your Jersey souvenirs!

22) Sea Foraging and Oyster Tour

Jersey Walk Adventures also offer a delicious sea foraging and oyster tour , where visitors are taken around the oyster beds at low tide and shown the best examples of edible seaweed, before ending the tour with an oyster tasting with a glass of bubbly.

23) Jersey Lavender Farm

You don’t need to head to Provence to take pictures of lavender fields in bloom – you can do that in Jersey too! The Jersey Lavender Farm is located in St.Brelade in the southwest of the island, and it is open yearly from October to April, with late May as the best time to visit to see the fields.

Visitors can walk around the fields, follow the Discovery Trail to various points of interest around the farm, and visit the distillery to learn more about the making of essential oils.

24) La Mare Wine Estate

Jersey’s mild climate makes the island ideal to grow potatoes, tomatoes, grapes… do you know what that means, right? WINE! La Mare Wine Estate was established in 1972 and produces a range of red, whites and rose wines, but not only!

There’s also La Mare cider, ale, gin and brandy, as well as a range of branded food products. If you’re looking for Jersey foodie treats and souvenirs , this is the place to head to!

In Jersey, we had the chance to stay in a truly unique place – the Hamptonne Country Life Museum, a heritage 15th century homestead turned into a museum of country life on the island, with an orchard, demonstrations of ancient crafts and even piglets and calves. In summer, that is!

When we visited in November the Museum was closed, and there were no animals save for free-range chickens in a nearby farm, but we still got the chance to stay in the beautiful apartment attached to the museum in complete peace and quiet. Check out this site  for info on the Stable Apartment, where we stayed – and FYI, the Jersey heritage site also offers a range of unique holiday rentals across the island, including towers, forts, Elizabeth Castle and ‘Barge Aground’, a 1930s cottage resembling an overturned boat.

If you’re looking for more ‘conventional’ places to stay in Jersey, check out the following:

• Atlantic Hotel – one of the finest hotels in Jersey, open for over 50 years. Includes some top restaurants and cafés plus an outdoor pool, gym and spa. 
• The Royal Yacht – one of the most stylish places in St Helier, with plenty of light, views over the marina and a great spa.
• Chateau La Chaire – a boutique B&B set in a 19th century manor house with excellent service and a delicious restaurant.
• Ommaroo Hotel – a historic hotel opened in 1916 and retaining the feel of the holiday hotels of the early 20th century. It was recently refurbished, but still has plenty of character.
• Pomme d’Or Hotel – a historic hotel, and the place where the Union Jack was raised when German occupation ended in the Channel Islands. This hotel has a classic luxury, slightly old-fashioned feel, but it offers great deals in low season.
• The Inn Boutique Hotel – one of the best value places in St Helier, with beautifully designed rooms and a good onsite restaurant.
• Durrell Wildlife Camp – a spectacular glamping site for an unforgettable stay surrounded by the nature of Jersey Zoo, giving you the feel of being on an African safari !

Eating out is one of the main reasons to visit Jersey! Great quality produce plus a cuisine that borrows from the French and British tradition mean that you’re likely to have great meals pretty much anywhere. 

Here are some of Jersey’s best cafés, pubs, restaurants and other places to dine!

• Le Hocq Inn – this is the most southerly pub in the British Isles, which is reason enough to visit! It’s a very lively place with unusual dishes like delicious espetadas  (a Portuguese specialty of giant meat or seafood kebabs) and a very friendly owner.
• The Farm House – here the atmosphere is more restaurant than pub, and the food is truly outstanding! The fish and chips was one of the best we’ve ever had. Jersey crab is also often found on the menu.
• The Seymour Inn – if you wish to dine in a ‘proper’ local pub, this is one of the best places to try Jersey oysters!
• Bohemia Bar & Restaurant – the only Michelin star restaurant in Jersey, in a wonderful location not far from St. Helier harbour. The menu includes great Jersey seafood and crab, and the price is a steal considering the Michelin star – a three-course lunch menu can be had for just £39!
• The Shipyard – this café/pub is perfect if you want to dine near the water in St. Helier’s harbour. You’ll find breakfast dishes, pub grub and some great seafood!
• Ocean Restaurant – wonderful luxury restaurant in the Atlantic Hotel, with creative cuisine making use of Jersey seafood and produce. If you don’t know what dish to order, go for the pickled Jersey crab salad!
• The Gunsite Café – this café is in a truly unique location, a repurposed WW2 bunker near St. Aubin’s Bay. The must-order dish here is definitely the all-day breakfast! 

Many thanks to Visit Jersey for welcoming us on the island and showing us the best things to do in Jersey!

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2 thoughts on “24 Things to do in Jersey, Channel Islands”

This is a good write-up on Jersey, Margerita. You may not be aware that there is a Ciccerone Guide by Paddy Dillon called “Walking on Jersey” which covers 24 routes and the Jersey Coastal Walk ISBN: 978-1-85284-638-1 @ £12.95 which I would recomend. The same author has a similar guide covering Guernsey which can be reached from Stansted airport. Until recently there was a direct flights from Stansted to Jersey but now you have to change at Guernsey or spend a few days there. I always use the bus service in Jersey and find it very reliable. I would recommend first visiting the Liberation Station not far from Pomme d’Or in the centre if St Helier to pick up the timetables. I always stayed at the family owned Ommarroo hotel where I have been very well looked after.

Thank you so much for your comment and thanks for recommending the guide!

Comments are closed.

A July Dreamer

A Travel & Lifestyle Blog

United Kingdom · July 17, 2019

Jersey Channel Islands ​: The Perfect 2-Day​ Itinerary

Jersey in the channel i s lands is a self-governing country located in the few nautical miles from France but is part of the British Isles. The island of Jersey is also known as the Bailiwick of Jersey and is the largest island in the channel islands. Jersey is Crown dependent but is not part of the UK, it has its own judicial, legal and financial systems.

As part of my 2019 bucketlist , I am hoping to explore more of the UK and Jersey seemed like the perfect destination for a birthday getaway. If you’re thinking of travelling to Jersey in the Channel Islands, I recommend you follow this guide that outlines the perfect 2-day itinerary. Another thing I do recommend is to hire a car to explore more of the island.

Jersey, Channel Islands ​: The Perfect 2-day Itinerary

When you have a car, you can cover much ground in Jersey but since it is so small, don’t discount public transport as most popular destinations are on the bus route. I chose to drive because it was more cost effective and allowed me more freedom to explore more places.

The 2-day itinerary covers places that I visited and spent a considerable time at each destination and I was able to explore at my own leisure. Each attraction offered more than meets the eye and I would recommend dedicating at least an hour to each if not more.

Jersey Channel Islands: Transportation

Being part of the British Isles means Jersey drives on the same side as the main land UK. For those thinking of car hire it is best to know we drive on the left and the roads are mostly narrow. From London, flights take just over an hour to reach St Helier whilst driving from the mainland is possible its quickly to fly.

It is also worth knowing that Jersey has its own currency, Jersey Pounds has a similar value to the UK pound. Make sure to use up all your Jersey pounds because it is not widely accepted in the rest of the UK. I noticed that the coins are otherwise the same as on the main land.

If you choose not to hire a car, public transport is frequent during summer months and bearable during the winter months. Whilst public transport is easily accessible, it is not as frequent as one would like. I highly recommend hiring a car to be able to get around much quicker.

Where to Stay in Jersey Channel Islands

Jersey is a small island so wherever you stay, you will be no more than 5 miles from the closest beach. I stayed in St. Helier which was a 15 minute drive from the airport and St. Peter is even closer, 3 miles from the airport.

High to Medium range hotel – I recommend Raddison B lu located on the pier of St. Aubin and another recommendation is The Atlantic Hotel.

Budget-friendly – I stayed at the Ambassador hotel which was located a minute from the beach and 15 from the airport in St. Helier. Whilst prices vary across the year, I still think this one is medium price.

You can use my Booking.com affiliate link to save 10% on your next hotel booking and I save £20 too.

Day 1: Lavender Farm, War Tunnels, Wine Estate, the Beach & St. Helier

Day one started early, my flight landed at 8.00 in the morning, I was able to hire a car on the same day and drove to my hotel. After a quick shower and refuel, I planned the places I wanted to explore and went about my day. On day one, I explore more places than I initially planned and I was very happy about that.

Visit The Jersey Lavender Farm

The Jersey lavender farm was established in 1983 by the Christie family from a disused dairy farm. It is located on the South West of the island in St. Brélade, I drove from St. Helier and it took 10 minutes. The best time to visit is between June thru to August, I would also highly recommend attending the distillery talk . Jersey lavender farm grows, nurtures and create their own lavender oil and various other lavender scented/infused products.

Discover The Jersey War Tunnels

Jersey war tunnels tell a story of its residents during the WWII seize under German rule. Even if you have no interest in war stories, it’s interesting to see it from another side, the people who experienced it. It took me over an hour to completely tour the 50-meter deep and over the 1kilometre long tunnel. I would highly recommend you take a jumper if you’re someone who gets cold easily as even on a summer’s day I felt the chill. The tunnels are located north-west of St. Helier in the beautiful area of St. Lawrence.

Fees: Adults £15, students £13, children above 11 but below 15 pay £11 then children under 11 its free.

Taste La Mare Wine Estate

Whilst Jersey is most known for its potatoes and cows, it’s climate is also ideal for growing grapes, aka wine. La Mare Wine Estate is a working vineyard that was established back in 1972 and is now home to the best Jersey wine, gins, ales and ciders. For only £10.50, you get a chance to tour the vineyard, taste the wines as well as the gin whilst touring the distillery.

Sunbathe at Saint Aubin Beach

Because St. Aubin bay is south facing, it means it enjoys sunshine longer throughout the day compared to other beaches. Exploring the farm, the warm tunnels and the vineyard in the heat made me make a pit stop at the beach. Along St. Aubin bay you can find sandy patches to nestle on to sunbathe whilst taking a breather.

Uplifting Liberation Square

The Liberation Square is home to an impressive piece of art, the uplighting monument signifies the liberation of Jersey people. It is located in the center of St. Helier and is a great place for tourists to learn more about the city and it’s people’

Learn from Jersey Museum and Art Gallery

If you plan on visiting more museums than one then the Jersey Trust pass will allow you to enter most Jersey attractions. The Jersey museum is located on the river bank and close to the city centre.

Day 2: Botanical Gardens, Castles, Gorey & Beaches

Day 2 I started pretty early as I had a jam packed itinerary that I wanted to complete as well as allocate some time to just lie on the beach. The weather was absolutely perfect, it would have been a crime to not spend an hour or so on the beach.

Samares Manor Botanic Gardens

If you’re looking for somewhere to relax that is not a beach but offers tranquility, calm and peaceful then the botanic gardens at Samares manor might be the answer. Spread over 14 acres of land, the gardens were created by Sir James Knott in the 1920s. At the manor, you can visit the botanic gardens, the bistro, the museum and wander around the grounds.

Elizabeth Castle

Elizabeth Castle is located on a tidal island in St. Helier and is named after Queen Elizabeth I who was ruler at the time of its creation. During low tide, it is possible to walk from the shores of St. Helier all the way to the castle perched up on the island. If you do not wish to walk or there is high tide, there is a ferry boat that takes tourists to and from every so often. There is much to explore, I would recommend a minimum visit of at least 2 hours to check everything out then enjoy the view of Jersey.

Mont Orgueil or Gorey Castle

Mont Orgueil is another important castle in Jersey, it protected the island from french invasion 600 years ago and is a city monument. Today the castle is open to visitors, has a small cafe near the ticket by the entrance. During my visit, part of the castle was closed off for a private wedding function but other secret rooms were open to the public. For an adult the fee to enter is £15 and that gives you access to the entire place.

Gorey is an idyllic fishing village on the East of Jersey in the parishes of St. Martin and Grouville. This cute fishing village is lined with pastel coloured cottages and alfresco restaurants with Mont Orgueil castle as a back drop. If you’re looking for the taste of the island the Gorey is the place to take the foodie in you. Once you’re done with the castle, you can stroll along Gorey Pier or walk the streets of the village.

La Rocque Harbour

La Rocque Harbour and beach is located on the south-eastern tip of Jersey and is comprised of a small harbour, pier and sandy beach. When the tide was low, it was the perfect place to grab some sun, lie on the beach and relax. There is a small car park for those driving and route 1 bus stop there regularly.

St. Brelade’s Bay

St. Brelade’s Bay was voted as one of the best beaches in Jersey and it is easy to see why with its soft sandy beaches and palm trees. I don’t know how long I spent at this beach but if you’re ever in need of somewhere to relax or play water sports then this is it.

The Lookout Beach Cafe

The lookout beach cafe is a nice little cafe in St Helier located on the beach and overlooking the sea. It is the perfect place to end a 2-day trip, a place to tuck in some good grub and watch the sunset. There are several parking lots nearby if not, buses stop along the route.

We had such an amazing couple days in Jersey and hiring a car was such a great idea. I was able to explore more of the island than I would have on public transport, I did things at my leisure and saw more things than most do with more days on the island than myself.

Jersey Channel Islands – things to know

• Most attractions don’t open until 9.30 or even 10.30 in the morning so plan accordingly
• The Jersey Trust {like UK’s National Trust} card is useful to have as most places are free with the card.
• If you’re driving, roads are pretty tiny and I live in the English countryside, max speed limit is 60 miles or 64 kilometres and lowest is 15.
• Most attractions don’t require you book ahead of time, just turn up and pay on arrival.

You’ll Also Love

Kerry Streit says

November 11, 2019 at 4:30 pm

Are dogs allowed on any baches in the summer?

Miranda says

November 12, 2019 at 8:59 am

On some beaches yes but you need to read up on which, I think the one in St. Helier had dogs.

forkwardthinkingfoodinista says

July 31, 2019 at 10:13 am

I went to Jersey on a two week break with school and loved the place. Beautiful destination for sure xx

July 24, 2019 at 3:28 pm

It looks like a beautiful place to visit, I really want to visit! So many places such little time unfortunately x

July 28, 2019 at 2:01 pm

You definitely should visit Jersey, it is gorgeous place

Alexandra Cook says

July 24, 2019 at 3:03 pm

Wow, this was full of surprises. I never considered this area, but it honestly sounds like the perfect place for me and my family. It’s so beautiful

Siobhan | The Baby Boat Diaries says

July 24, 2019 at 11:07 am

Looks like you had a great time! I didn’t realise there was so much to do in Jersey! May have to add it to my travel bucket list!

jennifuchs says

July 23, 2019 at 10:44 pm

I’ve always wanted to visit the Channel Islands. We’ve looked at it before but all the accommodation seemed so expensive.

July 23, 2019 at 9:51 pm

I’ve never considered Jersey as a holiday destination but it looks lovely. The war tunnels would be right up our street. We love a bit of history on our travels!

Lyndsey O'Halloran says

July 22, 2019 at 8:45 pm

Lavender farms are so beautiful but I’ve never been to one before. I’d love to do that.

motherhoodtherealdeal says

July 22, 2019 at 1:19 pm

I have always wanted to visit Jersey it looks so beautiful and the colours always look so amazing. One day!

Sabina Green says

July 22, 2019 at 12:26 pm

I have seen so many beautiful pictures of Jeresy, I can see why it is so popular! My grandparents used to love to holiday there!

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A Short Break to Jersey: An Itinerary

This guide to a short break to Jersey, Channel Islands, contains affiliate links.

Before we begin this itinerary for a short break to Jersey, UK, I need to clarify one thing. This post is dedicated to the Jersey located between England and France: that small, yet beautifully formed,  Channel Island . It’s not, unfortunately, dedicated to a weekend in New Jersey, USA.

Instead, this Jersey is a place of country lanes and after work surf lessons. It’s a pastel coloured wash of creamy beaches, blue skies and crumbling castles. Just a short journey from England, this Jersey represents a fantastic weekend break – a place to wile away those precious hours between Friday and Sunday inside Michelin-starred restaurants and on golden beaches.

Although just fives miles long and nine miles wide, there are a surprising number of things to do in Jersey, UK.

Food enthusiasts will find themselves overwhelmed with choice, as seasonal food vans and Michelin-starred restaurants vie for your attention. For those with a penchant for the great outdoors, then the island offers some incredible hikes and a chance to try your hand at extreme sports. If this doesn’t entice you, then Jersey’s compelling history can easily fill your weekend, with 13 th  century castles and poignant war museums filling its borders.

Below is our itinerary for a Jersey weekend break (or 3 days in Jersey), including an overview of things to do in Jersey UK, where is best to stay and some of the best places to eat on this beautiful island.

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Short breaks to jersey itinerary, 1. head to st. ouen’s bay.

Let’s begin this guide to a short break in Jersey, UK, by experiencing one of the island’s best features: its vast, golden beaches.

St. Ouen’s Bay is a great beach to start at – spanning a stunning five miles and featuring the roaring surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Scattered with surfers, dog walkers and picnickers, this bay is a Mecca for holiday makers once the summer temperatures roll in, but is equally enjoyable out of season.

From the bay, it’s possible to see the Jersey’s famous  Corbiere Lighthouse : a postcard worthy white turret of a building, surrounded by crashing waves. From the lighthouse, walk up the bay and through the ancient dunes that line the beach  – known as Les Blanches Banques.

A visit here is a lovely way to spend Jersey weekend breaks.

6. Lunch at Nude Beach

Nude Beach holds prime position on St Aubin’s seafront, with beautiful views across the coast.

With another Nude Food cafe in St. Helier, Nude Beach offers a ‘clean eating’ menu, featuring on trend ‘avo-on-mash’, and other tasty vegan and vegetarian dishes (the vegetarian burger is particularly delicious).

Housed within a beautifully designed building – reminiscent of a beach hut – Nude Beach features large windows overlooking the beach and is filled with a golden light. Relaxed and featuring lovely food, it’s a great spot to wile away an hour or so.

7.  Head to Jersey Zoo (Durrell)

A highlight of our short break Jersey was a trip to the world-famous (and surprisingly impressive) Jersey Zoo .

When I first heard that Jersey had a zoo, I was a little surprised. Surely it would be more of a glorified wildlife park? How wrong I was.

The legacy of famed naturalist, Gerald Durrell, Jersey Zoo was envisaged as an ‘Ark’ – a place to safe house and protect endangered species from across the world.

However, visitors to the bay are drawn by far more than its soft sands thanks to the legendary  Hungry Man .

It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a late afternoon bite to eat.

9.  Dinner at The Oyster Box

In terms of the best places to eat in Jersey, UK, The Oyster Box is definitely one (and should absolutely be factored into any short breaks Jersey).

Overlooking the spectacular St Brelade’s Bay, the restaurant offers panoramic views and world-class dishes. Be sure to indulge in a platter of Jersey Rock Oysters and a steaming bowl of Jersey Shellfish Bisque.

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10.  a bacon sandwich at the lookout beach cafe, st helier.

Why not start the last day of your weekend break to Jersey with a tasty bacon sandwich, at the wonderful Lookout Beach Cafe in St Helier .

Featuring a wood-burning stove for the winter months, and sun-drenched views across St Aubin’s Bay in the summer, this cafe was a firm favourite of ours.

11.  Explore St Helier – Jersey’s Capital

Having spent the first few days of our short break to Jersey exploring the island’s smaller, more secluded spots, it was time to experience Jersey’s capital – St Helier.

A mini-capital city, St Helier is home to the island’s financial institutions, banks, a busy high street filled with independent stores and a busy marina. It’s a vibrant and busy place, and the island’s only town.

As such, it is a one-stop shop for everything you might need – from creative cocktail bars to Michelin starred restaurants, such as  Samphire .

Remarkably intact, the Castle offers a maze of hidden alleyways, secret rooms and panoramic views. Amongst the ruins flowers have bloomed, whilst hidden archways lead to coastal perches.

As such, it is an incredibly romantic and dramatic place to visit, and a must see during your short break to Jersey.

13.  A Late Lunch at Jersey Crab Shack

Falling away beneath the castle lies Gorey and its small harbour. Here you’ll find a cluster of shops and restaurants, with the best being the  Jersey Crab Shack .

It’s definitely one of the top places to eat in Jersey.

14.  Dinner at Thai Dicq Shack, St Helier

If your Jersey short break has not proven to be gut-busting enough, then end it with a meal at one of the island’s most loved restaurants: the  Thai Dicq Shack .

Incredibly popular during the summer months – when diners spill onto St Saviour beach – the Thai Dicq Shack is something of an island institution. Inviting guests to BYO alcohol, the restaurant serves its famed ‘jungle curry’, alongside other traditional Thai dishes.

15. Jersey Events & Festivals 2023

Jersey hots a number of fantastic festivals and events throughout the year – and 2023 is no different.

This year, head to the island for the Eat Jersey Food Festival (March), Jersey Boat Show (April), the incredible Jersey Battle of Flowers 2023 (August), the popular The Weekender Festival (early September) and the Jersey Marathon (October).

All of these would definitely be the highlight of any trip and definitely contenders when it comes to what to do in Jersey, UK.

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Short breaks to jersey: faqs,  how do you get to jersey.

Jersey can be easily accessed by both plane and boat.

We chose to fly to Jersey, finding cheap flights thanks to  easyJet  from London Luton airport (£45 per person). The flight took just 40 minutes and given the small size of Jersey’s airport, the journey was entirely hassle free.

Alternatively, you might wish to hop on a boat to Jersey, with ferry services running from both Portsmouth and Poole, via  Condor Ferries .

How Do You Get Around Jersey?

For our weekend break to Jersey, we decided to rent a vehicle via  Europcar . Despite its diminutive size, the island is filled with country lanes and coastal roads; all of which makes driving here a real joy. As such, we couldn’t resist hiring a Mini Cooper to enjoy it all.

Given that the island’s speed limit is just 40mph, driving on Jersey is slow and leisurely, allowing visitors to enjoy the island’s 350 miles of winding roads at a slower, more relaxed pace.

Our car hire (for three nights and four days) cost £149  including half a tank of petrol and basic insurance. Be warned, however, parking on the island can be both difficult and expensive. To avoid being caught out, be sure to download the  PayByPhone App  before you go, saving you both time and money.

A short break Jersey can be definitely still be enjoyed via public transport. Given the island’s small size, Jersey’s bus network (Liberty Bus) is both regular and reliable – stopping outside most major hotels, towns and tourist hot spots.

The central bus station is found at  Liberation Station  in St. Helier, and tickets can be bought onboard. Alternatively, why not take a tour of the island in a vintage bus, thanks to  Jersey Bus Tours . Carefully restored and open-topped, they are a lovely way to see the island.

Bike or Walk

Lastly, it’s entirely possible to simply walk or enjoy Jersey by bike – with bike hire shops available across the island. All available cycle routes can be viewed  here .

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I’m so glad that you enjoyed your stay at the Atlantic! They really are so welcoming!

For a place that’s as beautiful and relaxing as this, I think I need more than just a “short break”!

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JERSEY TRAVEL GUIDE

The island of Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands and lies in the English Channel between the UK & France. It’s a self-governing dependency of the British Crown, but not part of the United Kingdom. 

Jersey has great coastal scenery , some beautiful castles and picturesque little bays to explore and it’s a great destination for a long weekend away. The influences of both France and Britain give the island its unique character. Also, the capital St Hellier has everything you need from a modern town.

This travel guide will help you plan the perfect trip to Jersey by showing you the best attractions , things to do and places to visit including a tourist map , photos and an itinerary .

INTRODUCTION TO JERSEY

Why visit Jersey island?

Jersey is a small but beautiful island in the English Channel between the UK & France. The island has some great coastal scenery (especially on the north coast), some historic forts & museums and picturesque little bays to explore and it’s a great destination for a long weekend away. Also, the influences of both France and Britain give the island its unique character.

The island’s area is 120 sq. km and it has a population of around 108,000 permanent residents. The island’s capital St Helier has many attractions like the beautiful Elizabeth Castle . There are some attractive seaside villages like St. Aubin , St. Brelade with the best beach on the island and Gorey with the magnificent Mont Orgueil Castle.

Jersey is also a great destination to observe tides , as it has one of the largest tidal movements in the world, and it’s fascinating to see the changes to the coastal landscape .

BEST TIME TO VISIT JERSEY

For a beach holiday , the best time to visit the island of Jersey is between July or August , when it’s sunnier and the temperatures are higher and when also the sea is warmer (still quite cold for swimming). However, these are the busiest months when most holidaymakers visit the island during the school holidays and the prices tend to be higher.

For me, the best time to visit will be late June or early September with good temperatures, fewer crowds and lower prices and still possible to enjoy the sea.

HOW LONG TO STAY IN JERSEY

Jersey is a small island but with an extensive coastline, so I would recommend staying on the island for at least 3-4 days if you would like to explore it and visit most of the attractions. Obviously, you could stay for longer if you want to explore it at a more relaxed pace and combine it with day trips to Guernsey or even France .

WHERE TO STAY IN JERSEY

The best place to stay in Jersey is St Helier as it provides the best options and tourist amenities and it’s a good base to explore the island. Other good places to stay are the picturesque village of Gorey , St Aubin or St Brelade .

Best hotels in Jersey

• Radisson Blue Waterfront : Situated on the waterfront of St Helier, with free parking and sea views
• De L’Etang : Situated in Havre-Des-Pas, right on the seafront and opposite the public bathing pool, this family-run guest house is 10min from the centre of St Helier.
• Mornington Hotel : A cheaper bed and breakfast accommodation just minutes from the centre of St Helier. Free private parking
• Golden Sands : 4-star hotel situated in St Brelade right by the beach, with some rooms with balconies and sea views
• The Atlantic Hotel : Beautiful 4-star hotel overlooking St Ouen’s Bay.

Click here to check and compare prices on accommodation for the whole island.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Entry requirements/visa.

If you are arriving from the U.K. , passports are not required, but you will need a form of photo I.D .  If you are travelling from E.U. and other areas, you will require a valid passport . You can check the entry requirements on this website .

English is the main language, although French was the official language until the 1960s and some street names & signs are still in French and spoken by some locals. The native regional language,  Jèrriais , is still spoken by a small minority.

Jersey has its own flag

Jersey is a safe place and you shouldn’t come across any issues during your stay. However, it’s worth being vigilant in crowded places and tourist areas.

Travel Insurance

It’s always recommended to get travel insurance before you travel even if a destination like Jersey shouldn’t pose any safety concerns. You never know what might happen; better to be fully covered in case of an accident or flight delays etc.

SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.

Electricity

The power plugs and s ockets  are of type G mainly, same as the UK plug sockets (3-pin). The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

The currency of Jersey is the Jersey pound , which is the same as the pound in the United Kingdom but issued by Jersey in a similar way as in Scotland and Northern Ireland. So if you are travelling from the UK, you won’t need to change any money.

The best place to exchange some money is through an  ATM  that can be found in St Helier. More tips about exchanging money can be found  here .

Jersey is quite an expensive island, but prices are higher during July and August, especially for accommodation. An average twin room will cost £100 to £200 per night and a meal at a restaurant around £70 for 2 people.

Jersey has a relatively mild climate – similar to the south coast of Britain but often slightly warmer and sunnier. The hottest and sunnier days are normally found in July and August, with maximum temperatures in the high 20s.

Summer : Warm with lots of sunny days but occasionally cloudy. Average temperatures between 14 to 20 °C .

Autumn : It starts to get cloudier and colder as the days progress and also rainier. Average temperatures between 10 to 17 °C.

Winter : It can get very cold, windy and rainy but rarely snows. Average temperatures between 4 to 10 °C.

Spring : It starts getting warmer and sunnier but still pretty cold and cloudy with average temperatures between 9 to 15 °C.

You can check historical weather data here .

Jersey has one of the largest tidal movements in the world and it is worth checking the tides in advance of visiting some attractions reached by a tidal causeway since low tide comes 45-60 min later each day. Easytide is a good website to check the tide timings.

Travel Gear

For information on travel gear and what to pack click here .

HOW TO GET TO JERSEY

Jersey Airport  provides connections to all major cities in the UK all year round and has also good connections with Guernsey with its own airline ( Blue Islands ).

For the best website to book your flights, check the link below. Always check prices in advance for the best deals.

Getting from/to the airport

The airport is located about 8km away from St Helier (15m drive). Upon your arrival, you can rent a car (highly recommended) in one of the rental offices at the airport. The airport is the best place to book if you haven’t done it before you arrive.

There is a public bus providing frequent services to Liberation Station in St Helier. LibertyBus routes 15, 22 and 9 connect St Hellier with Jersey Airport and the journey takes between 20 to 30min. The bus stop is located immediately in front of the Arrivals’ Terminal; there are bus timetables and routes available from Jersey Airport.

There is a also public taxi rank immediately in front of the Arrivals Terminal. Passengers can expect to pay approx £15 for a taxi to St Helier.

There are ferries connecting Jersey with the UK and France and also with the rest of the Channel Islands. Condor Ferries and Manche Iles Express are the two main ferry operators.

There are 4 ferries per week running from  Poole (4h sailing), 6 ferries per week running from  Portsmouth (9h sailing), 14 ferries per week running from  St Malo (1.5h sailing), 5 ferries per week running from  Guernsey (1h sailing), 1 ferry per week running from  Granville (1h &15min sailing) and 4 ferries per week running from  Carteret (1h &15min sailing).

You can find useful information about ferries and alternative routes on Direct Ferries website, but it doesn’t always provide the cheapest prices so it might be worth booking directly with the ferry companies.

You will need to have at least a photo ID if you are travelling from the UK and a passport if you are travelling from France.

HOW TO GET AROUND JERSEY

I would recommend hiring a car if you would like to explore the island at your own pace. Car hire is available at the airport and St Hellier. It is always advisable to book in advance for the best prices. It will cost around £50 per day.

Driving is on the left side of the road, as in the UK and signage follows UK Highway Code standards, however, there is a  Jersey Highway Code  with a few differences. The maximum speed limit on any Jersey road is 40mph (64 km/h) and is frequently lower. If you intend to bring your own vehicle, check your insurance , as some UK & EU motor policies don’t cover the Channel Islands. Ferry prices can also be quite high, so if you are staying only for a few days, it might be better to rent.

Check the link below to book and compare car rental prices.

Due to its small size and relatively gentle terrain, hiring a bicycle is a great way of exploring the island. There are many cycle routes that can be found on this cycle network map . You can hire a bike at the following Jersey Bike Hire near St Aubin or Lakeys in St Hellier. More information regarding bike hire can be found on the Jersey tourism website .

It might be ideal if you don’t want to rent a car, as the island is very small and the distances are short. but it is not cheap.

Public taxis are meter controlled. There are  three rate tariff s   that may be applied by both public rank taxis and pre-booked cabs, depending on the time and day.

There is a good and extensive bus network connecting most places and main attractions in Jersey. LibertyBus is the public bus operator in Jersey with a number of routes. It also provides the Discover Jersey Pass (1-day, 2-day, 3-day or 7-day passes).

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN JERSEY

The best place to go for a meal is St. Helier with many good restaurants, but you can also enjoy a meal at the seaside villages of Gorey, St Aubin or St Brelade. There are also some nice seafood cafes in various coastal locations around the island. Below you can find a list of some of the best cafes & restaurants in Jersey .

Best restaurants in Jersey

• Bohemia Bar & Restaurant: Fine dining in St Helier
• Roseville Bistro : French restaurant with great seafood in Havre Des Pas area of St Helier
• Bistro Rosa : Beautiful seafood restaurant in the centre of St Helier
• Quayside Bistro & Grill : Stylish restaurant overlooking the marina of St Helier
• La Taverne : Great food and attentive staff in St Helier
• Sumas Restaurant : Great restaurant overlooking the bay of Gorey
• The Dolphin Hotel & Restaurant : A decent hotel restaurant in Gorey
• Le Braye Cafe : Nice cafe offering pub food on St Ouen’s Bay overlooking La Rocco Tower

You can check the location of these restaurants on this map .

Local Cuisine

• Dairy products from the Jersey cow (milk, butter)
• Jersey royal potatoes
• Seafood , particularly oysters, crab and lobster

JERSEY THINGS TO DO

Best attractions and places to visit

1. Gorey and Mont Orgueil Castle

Mont Orgueil Castle (or Gorey Castle) is one of the most famous of Jersey’s sights. It is an impressive medieval fortress , built in the 13th century above the picturesque seaside village of Gorey . There are towers, halls and exhibitions to explore within the castle grounds and it provides some great views of Grouville Bay.

Gorey is a charming seaside village with an attractive harbour full of fishing boats and yachts and a promenade with a small number of hotels, shops and restaurants. You can walk on the Gorey Pier which provides nice views of the castle and the village.

2. Visit and relax on one of the beaches and bays on the island

Jersey has a beautiful coastline with many nice beaches and picturesque bays to explore. You can explore the bays and beaches on the north coast of Jersey, which is known for its rugged cliffs and amazing scenery .

The most popular beach on the island is St Brelade ‘s beach and also the beautiful Beauport beach on the south coast. On the north coast, the most beautiful beaches are the popular beach of Greve de Lecq and the stunning Plemont beach.

More information below .

3. Elizabeth Castle

Elizabeth Castle is one of Jersey’s major historic monuments , built in the 16th century, and it played a key role in the Civil War and WWII. The fortifications include an Upper, Lower and Outer Ward and also two museums that can be explored by visitors. It can be visited on foot via a 1km causeway at low tide or by the amphibian castle ferry at any time.

4. La Corbiere Lighthouse

This 19th century lighthouse is one of the best sights in Jersey at any time, but it is worth visiting at low tide to enjoy the dramatic rocky seascape . It is only accessible on foot via a causeway at low tide and there is a siren to warn visitors when the tide is near. The lighthouse is closed to the public but you can arrange a walking tour in advance to go inside. The lighthouse is also a great spot to watch sunsets .

5. Visit Jersey’s capital St. Helier .

6. Have a stroll at St Aubin.

St Aubin is a small picturesque harbour to the west of St Aubin’s bay. It is a pretty place to go for a seaside stroll or coffee. You can also walk to St Aubin’s fort out at sea during low tide, although it is closed to the public.

7. Enjoy the unique Jersey seascape

Jersey is the best place to enjoy tides . You can walk to one of the most famous landmarks at low tide (e. g. St Aubin’s Fort , Seymour Tower or La Rocco Tower ).

You can also enjoy the fascinating rocky seascape of La Rocque Harbour during low tide.

8. Jersey War Tunnels

Jersey War Tunnels is one of the most popular attractions in Jersey. It is an unfinished massive network of tunnels built during the 5-year German occupatio n of the island by prisoners of war and used as barracks and protection against Allied bombardment. Later it was converted into an emergency hospital for casualties of the war. The exhibition brings to life the story of the island under Nazi occupation during WWII.

Entrance Price: £16 (children £10).

9. Visit the ancient site of La Hougue Bie

The ancient site includes a burial mound with a passage grave from around 3500 BC. It is one of the largest and oldest passage graves in Europe. There is also a watchtower at the top of the mound.

La Hougue Bie Museum offers geological and archaeological exhibits including weapons and coins from one of the oldest Neolithic structures.

10. Noirmont Point

Noirmont Point is a WWII site to the southwest of St Aubin that offers nice views toward St Aubin’s bay to the east and Portelet beach to the west. It includes a gun battery and an observation tower , remains of the Nazi occupation of the island.

11. Jersey Zoo

Jersey Zoo is a small well-run zoo and conservation program , well worth a visit. It was founded by naturalist Gerald Durrell with an emphasis on the conservation and breeding of endangered species. The zoo is well spaced out and the enclosures are really well proportioned but don’t expect to see large mammals (like elephants and lions) and you won’t be disappointed.

Entrance Price: £18 (children £14).

JERSEY BEST TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Best things to do in Gorey are obviously a visit to Mont Orgueil Castle and a visit to Gorey beach (or Longbeach), located about an 8min walk to the south of Gorey village.

There is a nice viewpoint if you take the footpath up to the top of the village from the castle.

2. St Helier

St Helier is a port town and the capital of the island and most of the residents live here. It’s a great base to explore the rest of the island and provides some good visitor attractions , museums (like the Maritime Museum and Jersey Museum and Art Gallery ), shops, markets, a marina and the beautiful Elizabeth Castle .

Some other points of interest include the Liberation and Royal Square , the pedestrian streets of King & Queen St and the Regent Fort where you can enjoy fine views of the city and the whole bay. You can also visit the attractive Havre Des Pas Bathing Pool and Lido area. A walk is included on the following map .

Best Things to Do in St Hellier

• Visit the Elizabeth Castle
• Stroll the pedestrian streets and Royal Square .
• Visit the Central & Fish Market.
• Go shopping on King Street
• Enjoy the view from Regent Fort
• Take a walk at the marina & the waterfront
• Visit the Havre Des Pas Bathing Pool and Lido
• Visit the Maritime Museum (exhibits of Jersey’s maritime history as one of the largest shipbuilding centres in Europe)
• Visit the Jersey Museum & Art Gallery (Interesting displays of Jersey life, from Ice Age to present times)

3. St Brelade

St Brelade is the most popular beach resort on the island surrounded by a nice promenade with souvenir shops, hotels and seaside cafes. It has a beautiful sandy beach with clear blue waters and it is the most organised offering sunbeds and watersport activities and it is ideal for families with children. At its western end is the 11th-century Church of St Brelade, made of pink granite .

4. St Aubin

St Aubin is a small picturesque harbour to the west of St Aubin’s bay. It is a pretty place to go for a seaside stroll or coffee. You can also walk to St Aubin’s fort out at sea during low tide , although it is closed to the public.

A picturesque tiny harbour on the north coast of the island, with fishermen’s cottages and a small beach with a pier . You can enjoy a crab sandwich at the Hungry Man cafe at the pier.

JERSEY BEST BEACHES

There are many lovely beaches and scenic bays to explore throughout Jersey’s stunning coastline. You can tour Jersey’s north shore, which is renowned for its craggy cliffs and beautiful landscape.

Both the stunning Beauport beach and St. Brelade’s beach on the south coast are among the most popular beaches on the island. Greve de Lecq beach and Plemont beach are the two most gorgeous beaches on the north coast.

Swimming is possible in Jersey but the water can be quite cold even in summertime.

Below is a list of the best beaches and bays on the island.

1. St Brelade’s Bay

St Brelade beach is the most popular beach on the island surrounded by a nice promenade with souvenir shops, hotels and seaside cafes. It is a beautiful sandy beach with clear blue waters and it is the most organised offering sunbeds and watersport activities and it is ideal for families with children .

2. Greve de Lecq

This is the most popular beach on the north coast of the island with fine sand, some cafes and a tiny harbour with a jetty to the west that provides nice views.

3. Plemont Beach

Plemont beach is one of the most beautiful , unspoilt beaches of Jersey with fine sand and surrounded by green hills . Accessible on foot via a cliff path and steps from the car park above the bay. It is full of rock pools and caves to explore at low tide. There is also a nice cafe for something to eat.

4. St Ouen’s Bay

It is the longest bay in Jersey (4 miles) located to the west of the island. It is a great place to enjoy watersports and particularly surfing . There are various towers along the coast and also La Rocco Tower out to sea.

You can also visit the Jersey Pearl showroom if you are interested.

You can enjoy a panoramic view of St Ouen’s Bay from Battery Moltke (walk close to the cliffs).

5. Beauport Beach

Beauport is a lovely sandy beach located to the southwest of St Brelade’s bay with clear blue waters. It is accessible by a steep path from the car park.

6. Bouley Bay

A scenic pebble beach surrounded by green hills. It is located on the north coast of the island. Nice views from the jetty .

7. Portelet Beach

Portelet beach is a pretty little beach with soft sand surrounded by cliffs that can be reached by long steps . There is a tiny island with a tower out at sea, accessible only at low tide.

8. Grouville Bay & Gorey Beach

This is a long bay to the east of the island with the Royal Jersey Golf Course at the back and Fort Henry that provides nice views of the coast.

Gorey beach (or Longbeach) is located about an 8min walk to the south of Gorey village .

9. La Roque Harbour

This is a picturesque place at low tide . You can walk to the jetty and enjoy views of the r ocky seascape , reefs and rock pools and the Seymour Tower out at sea.

10. Bonne Nuit

A small bay with some fishing boats and a beach, but not really for swimming. Nice for a walk at the pier or lunch at the Thai Cafe.

11. St Aubin’s Bay

St Aubin’s Bay is a long bay on the south coast of Jersey between St Helier and St Aubin . There is a path to walk or cycle the whole stretch while enjoying the views of the sea & Elizabeth Castle.

12. Le Hocq & Green Island Beach

Nice seascape with lots of rock pools to explore at low tide .

13. Anne Port

A small beach on the east coast, north of Mount Orgueil Castle. It is a sandy and pebble beach popular with swimmers at high tide. There is limited parking.

14. Archirondel Beach

Small pebble beach with the Archirondel tower on the north side. There is a limited amount of parking, some toilet facilities and a nice cafe.

15. Havre des Pas

Havre des Pas is the main beach of St. Helleir with a charming promenade, cafes, a lido, and a tidal pool that becomes accessible during low tide.

JERSEY TOURIST MAP

You can click on the map below for the location of the best sights, restaurants & hotels, as well as best villages and beaches to visit in Jersey. The map also includes practical information, best viewpoints and routes on the island.

To save the map, make sure you are logged in to your Google account, then click on the star to the right of the title. To locate the map go to your Google Maps app (or Account), click on ‘Saved’ (or ‘Your Places’), and select ‘Maps’.

JERSEY ITINERARY

It is worth staying on the island at least for 3-4 days if you want to explore it and visit most of the sights. The following itinerary includes things to do for 3 days on the island .

• Visit the Jersey War Tunnels
• Have a stroll at the beautiful St Aubin harbour
• Enjoy the views from the Noirmont Point
• Soak up the sun at St Brelade’s beac h and have lunch
• Enjoy the sea at Beauport Beach
• Visit La Corbiere Lighthouse
• Have a coffee at Le Braye cafe overlooking La Rocco Tower
• Photo stop at the beautiful St Ouen’s Bay
• Enjoy a panoramic view of St Ouen’s Bay from Battery Moltke (walk close to the cliffs)
• Visit Elizabeth Castle on foot or by ferry depending on the tide
• Have a stroll at the St Helier town centre and visit the Regent Fort to enjoy views of the town
• Visit the Lido area
• Photo stop at Green Island Beach and Le Hocq
• Enjoy the seabed at low tide at La Rocque harbour
• Visit the magnificent Mont Orgueil Castle
• Have a stroll at the picturesque Gorey harbour
• Photo stops at Anne Port & Archirondel beach
• Walk on St Catherine’s breakwater
• Optional visit of La Hougue Bie
• Visit the seaside village of Rozel
• Optional visit to Jersey Zoo
• Photo stop at Bouley Bay
• Have a coffee at Bonne Nuit Pier
• Enjoy the views from Sorel Point
• Enjoy the sea at Greve de Lecq
• Visit the beautiful Plemont Beach
• Visit Grosnez castle

You can find the driving routes for the above itinerary on the following clickable map .

JERSEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Here is a list of the best viewpoint locations on the island where you enjoy great views .

• Gorey Viewpoint
• Battery Moltke
• Fort Regent
• Noirmont Point
• Grosnez Castle: The remains of the 14th-century castle on a clifftop.
• Sorel Point
• St Catherine’s Breakwater

You can check these viewpoint locations and the best photo spots on the island on the following map .

Photo Gallery

JERSEY ACTIVITIES

There are various hiking trails around the island. Some of the most popular trails are highlighted below:

• Jersey Coastal Path  runs around the entire coast, although sections are on roads or pavement.
• North Coast : The cliffs of the north coast is the most scenic part of Jersey to hike (especially from L’Etacq to Rozel Bay). More information about the 5 walks can be found here.
• South Coast: Some interesting walks are walking to the various forts out at sea accessible only at low tide, e.g. St Aubins Fort, Elizabeth Castle, Seymour Tower.
• An easy hike is a footpath that follows the route of the old Jersey Railway line running from St Helier to St Aubin around the bay, and it can be extended up to Corbière Lighthouse .

There is a 96-mile cycle network around the island. There is a variety of cycle routes that can be found on this cycle network map . You can rent a bike at the following Jersey Bike Hire neat St Aubin or Lakeys in St Hellier. More information regarding bike hire can be found on the Jersey tourism website .

Watersports

St Ouen’s bay is the best place for surfing . There are various surf clubs that provide surf equipment and also surf lessons. You can also do paddle boarding, waterskiing, and canoeing.

There are 6 golf courses on the island. The most famous are the Royal Jersey Golf Club at Gorey, La Moye Golf Club at St Brelade and St Clements  just east of St Helier.

• aMaizin! Adventure Park : A great children’s attraction that combines an adventure park, a pet farm with animals, tobogganing, go-kart racing, go-crazy golfing and a corn maze (the Maize Maze).
• Jersey Zoo : More info above .

More information regarding Tours and Activities can be found here .

JERSEY EXCURSIONS & TOURS

Visit the neighbouring island of guernsey.

You can take the ferry and visit the neighbouring Channel island of Guernsey for a day or for a longer stay, There are 5 sailings per week between Jersey and Guernsey operated by 2 ferry companies. The Condor Ferries service runs once per week with a sailing duration of around 1 hour while the Manche Iles Express service runs up to 4 times per week with a duration of 1 hour 20 minutes.

You can also get to Guernsey by plane with  Blue Islands for a day trip or a longer stay but it is a lot more expensive.

Trip to France (St Malo or Carteret or Granville)

You can combine your stay in Jersey with a visit to neighbouring France. You can take the ferry and visit St Malo, Granville or Carteret for the day or for a longer stay. However, ferry prices are not cheap, even for a foot passenger.

Condor Voyager will get you to St Malo in Brittany, France in 1 hour and 25 minutes. There 5 sailings per week.

Manche Iles Express runs ferries between Jersey and Carteret & Granville.

More information about excursions & tours in Jersey can be found here .

JERSEY VIRTUAL TOUR

Check the following video slideshow to get further inspiration to visit Jersey:-)

THINGS TO BUY IN JERSEY

Main destination for souvenir shopping is St Hellier and mainly on the pedestrian street of King St. There are also souvenir shops in St Brelade & Gorey. Popular souvenirs include a Jersey flag magnet, jewellery with pearls , unique local pottery , homemade fudge and the famous knitwear .

FURTHER READING

You can check the following posts :

• Best Beaches & Bays in Jersey
• Best things to do in Jersey

Other useful websites for more information about Jersey:

• Jersey.com : The main travel website about Jersey that provides a lot of useful information.

Some good travel guides to buy before your visit to Jersey :

• The Mini Rough Guide to Jersey : This pocket-sized guide is a convenient, quick-reference companion to discovering what to do, what to see and how to get around Jersey.
• Insight Guides Great Breaks Jersey : Explore the best of Jersey with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images

TRAVEL RESOURCES

• Flights : I always use Skyscanner as my first choice as it’s so easy to use and you can search best deals by month. Momondo is another very good search engine as well as Google Flights .
• Accommodation : I always use Booking.com as my first choice, as it offers a great choice of accommodation at affordable prices and it’s so easy to use. Airbnb is a great alternative for homes and apartments to rent by real homeowners. HotelsCombined is one of the best search engines to check deals from different websites.
• Ferries : Condor Ferries and Manche Iles Express are the two main ferry operators.
• Car Rental : I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest car rental options. Discover Cars is also a good and easy-to-use website with great prices.
• Public Transport : LibertyBus is the public bus operator in Jersey with a variety of routes.
• Day Trips & Tours : Viator provides the most comprehensive list of day trips and you can book directly with them. GetYourGuide is also a great place to search for tours & activities to do.
• Travel Insurance : SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.
• Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, and at no extra cost to you, I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping this site running and ad-free.

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The Perfect Weekend in Jersey Channel Island Itinerary!

Categories Channel Islands , Itinerary , U.K

Jersey Channel Islands is an amazing place to visit for a weekend getaway!  I have spent a weekend in Jersey twice in September and June with Visit Jersey  after they dubbed the island #theislandbreak , and I loved my weekend in Jersey itinerary each time!

So here is what I suggest in this Jersey Island blog as the perfect Jersey Channel Island itinerary for a weekend break or short break, because at 5 miles long and 9 miles wide it’s extremely small yet it’s packed with natural beauty, fun activities, and relaxing activities to refresh yourself! 

Jersey Channel Island Itinerary

How to Get to Jersey Channel Island.

EasyJet, British Airways and Flybe all fly from the UK to Jersey.

If you’re flying from London you can fly from Luton, Gatwick and London City Airport to Jersey in just 40-50 minutes. Jersey Channel Island can also be reached from Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Doncaster, Southampton and Liverpool Airports .

For my weekend in Jersey, I was short on annual leave from work so myself and my friend opted for a Friday evening flight to Jersey from London and a Sunday evening flight back.

You can also get a Condor Ferry from the South Coast of England to Jersey Channel Island however that will take more time and with only a weekend in Jersey Island, I wouldn’t suggest it unless you live near Poole or Portsmouth!

Weekend in Jersey Itinerary

-friday evening, fly to jersey.

With Jersey being so close to England and France why not make the most of a Friday evening flight so you can spend the day at work and then jet off afterwards, after all, 2 days in Jersey is enough to see a lot of the island and do all of this Jersey Channel Island itinerary!

To enable you to see as much of the island as possible and in your own time, it’s a good idea to hire a car .

Book your rental car in Jersey before you arrive. As soon as you leave the baggage area in the airport you’ll see the car hire desks and before you know it you’ll be on your way! Remember that they drive on the left-hand side of the road so the same as the UK but different to Europe.

Search for Care Hire in Jersey Here From All The Top Companies!

If you don’t fancy driving or you’re wanting to visit Jersey on a budget , then the public bus system is good and buses seem to run well throughout the island. There is a bus stop right outside the airport to take people into St Helier- the capital of the island.

I stayed in The Hampshire Hotel , just on the outskirts of St Helier which is not only a lovely, small hotel but it’s in a great location as we didn’t have to drive through St Helier but the town is walkable from here and it’s easy to get to everywhere on the island from.

-Saturday Morning

Island life is generally based around the water and due to Jersey’s size and its gorgeous coastline Jersey life is no different, so the best way to start your Jersey Channel Island itinerary is like I did.. in the water!

Surfing in Jersey

I’d never been surfing before but it was high on my bucket list to try and I loved it! I went surfing as part of a yoga and surf retreat that was happening at that time with ‘Drift’ however there are plenty of companies you can go surfing with. Check out Visit Jersey’s page here to see them.

For a bit of fun and friendly advice on Surfing then I loved this post – 7 Surf Tips for Beginners .

St Ouens Bay on the West Coast of Jersey is one of the top beaches in Jersey! Not only is it the best place to catch some waves in Jersey but it’s incredibly beautiful too so whether you go surfing or not, be sure to add St Ouens Bay to you Jersey Island itinerary!

Water Sports in Jersey

If surfing isn’t your thing then don’t fear, there’s plenty of other water sport activities in Jersey from Kayaking , Paddleboarding , SUP Board Yoga , Scuba Diving , Coasteering and  Water Skiing !

-Saturday Afternoon

After a morning in or on the water, it’s nice to spend an afternoon in Jersey on dry land but still out in the fresh air enjoying the ocean views.

Where to have lunch in Jersey?

Lunch is a priority of course though and Jersey is known as a foodie haven with a lot of incredible restaurants filled with its fresh seafood.

Le Moulin de Lecq is in Greve de Lecq Bay on the North West Point of the island, not far from St Ouens Bay. This would be a great restaurant to have some food in, explore Greve de Lecq before taking a walk further West to Plemont Bay and then returning to pick up your car.

Coastal walk in Jersey

Doing the coastal walk in the afternoon was on our Jersey Channel Island itinerary so we drove straight to Plemont Bay in the afternoon, parked up and took the steps down to the bay and couldn’t believe the beauty of this place.

The tide was in so we couldn’t go onto the beach or into the caves that hide under the cliffs but seeing the cliffs, ocean and sun starting to set were enough. Not only that but there were only 2 other people there!

-Saturday Evening

Where to have dinner in jersey.

Saturday evening has to be spent in the picturesque fishing village of St Aubin .

We had a little trouble parking on a Saturday evening which meant we had to head up into the windy steep back streets of the village but in hindsight, it was great to see the streets that make up the village as well as the beautiful houses that line the streets.

The promenade that lines along the harbour is full of restaurants and pubs perfect for a Saturday evening meal and drink in Jersey.

My friend and I were booked to have dinner at The Boat House , which I would highly recommend adding to your Jersey Channel Island itinerary. It was pretty busy so I would suggest booking a head but totally worth it as the food was amazing!

I started with the Jersey Crab on Toast which was delicious, followed by the Josper Grilled Bass Fillet which was cooked perfectly, alongside some Parmesan and Truffle Hand Cut Chips that pretty much changed my life and have made me only want to eat Truffle Chips.

I finished with the White Chocolate Ball and Brownie which was indeed a huge white chocolate ball which was melted by the waiter pouring warm chocolate sauce onto it, which then melted onto the brownie that was sitting underneath.. incredible!

• My Related Jersey Island Posts:
• 10 Things to do in Jersey Channel Island When It Rains!
• How to Visit Jersey on a Budget!

-Sunday Morning

Boat trip in jersey.

Day 2 in Jersey and Sunday morning provides the chance to get out on the water again but this time without so much exercise!

Taking a boat trip is the best way to see Jersey from a different angle, visit some nearby islands that you may not know about and hopefully spot some wildlife!

I took a boat trip with Island RIB Voyages and I had such an amazing morning so I really recommend you prebook with them and add it to your Jersey Channel Island itinerary!

I drove to St Catherine’s Bay  from St Helier which was another lovely drive. St Catherine’s Bay is on the East side of the island meaning that I had now visited both East and West.

We donned some red jackets and a life jacket provided to us by Island RIB Voyages and hopped onto the boat. Mario was our guide and skipper and he really helped make the trip unforgettable. We sailed out of the bay at a reasonably leisurely pace but before long we were speeding up for a true RIB experience!

Our trip was out to Les Ecrehous  from Jersey, a small island not too far away. When we were close by we slowed down and had a look out for some seals.. we were in luck as Mario’s brilliant eyesight spotted quite a few!

The tide was low at Les Ecrehous island meaning we could get off the boat and have a walk around on what would be the sea bed during high tide. There are a number of small settlements on the island, they aren’t lived in all year round, instead used as more holiday homes and it was fascinating having a look round.

There’s a viewpoint behind some of the buildings which provides an incredible view of the ocean with Jersey in the distance and on the day I visited with the sun shining and the skies so blue I felt like I could well be in the Mediterranean!

There’s no way you can visit Les Ecrehous other than being on a boat trip so be sure to get it booked and planned in your Jersey Island itinerary!

The journey back to Jersey was just as enjoyable, there’s something about the sea air that really clears your mind and I felt so much more settled yet so much more alive when we stepped foot back on Jersey.

St Catherine’s Bay is a really nice area so we had a walk along the beach nearby before leaving which I would suggest doing.

-Sunday Afternoon

Castles in jersey.

Gorey is just a short drive down the East Coast from St Catherine’s Bay. It’s a beautiful harbour village with a sea-side-holiday feel to it.

It’s home to Mont Orgueil Castle which is featured in a lot of iconic Jersey photographs and there are lots of nice shops, cafes and restaurants so I would suggest adding it to your Jersey Channel Island itinerary and taking in the view from the Castle and then heading down into the village by the harbour to have a walk along the promenade and take in all the colourful buildings.

Lunch in Jersey

For lunch, Liv and I went to The Crab Shack which was so good, it’s another restaurant that I would highly recommend and must be one of the best crab restaurants in Jersey!

The Crab Shack is a really relaxed restaurant, so relaxed that it appears to be in a house. It has a friendly feel to it and it’s the kind of place that I really associate Island life with. We were lucky enough to sit outside in the sun with a great view.

Note that The Crab Shack is in two locations – Gorey and St Brelade so you no matter where you are you should be able to visit one of them on your Jersey Island itinerary!

Jersey Airport is in the West of the Island and we were in the East so with a few hours left we drove down to St Helier , parked up and had a walk around.

Up until this point we had passed nothing but beautiful villages and beaches and I was starting to wonder where everyone lived and worked. I knew St Helier was the capital and would be filled with lots of shops etc but expected it to be small seen as everything we had seen so far was quite small.

However, St Helier is and was a lot bigger than I thought. As we approached it we started seeing a lot of flats and once in the city we saw a lot of office blocks.

We had a quick walk through the centre where the shops are but on a Sunday Afternoon, everything is pretty much shut. We crossed over the main road and walked around the harbour and along the pier so we could see Elizabeth Castle and take in the scenery of St Aubins Bay surrounding us.

I’m really glad we did stop off in St Helier and I would suggest it as I felt I understood the island better after visiting. I understood where people worked, shopped and lived but seen as I was visiting from London I was very happy that I spent the majority of my weekend driving around Country lanes, through little villages and taking in the ocean views with hardly anyone around!

There are a number of late afternoon/ early evening flights from Jersey on a Sunday evening so from St Helier it’s probably time to head to the airport and get another trip to Jersey planned in ASAP!

More Places to Visit in Jersey

If you have 3 or 4 days in Jersey or even one week in Jersey, there are lots more things to do in Jersey like:

Visit the Jersey War Tunnels

Walk along the cliff path from Bouley Bay to Rozel and finish with tea at The Hungry Man Cafe.

Visit The Botanic Gardens

See the sunrise and sunset in one day from the East and West of the Island

Go on a Bike Ride

See the Jersey Lavender Fields

Take the children to Creepy Valley Adventure Centre

For more information or more ideas, have a look at Visit Jersey’s page here .

FAQ About Short Trips to Jersey

How long do you need in jersey.

Whilst you could easily spend 1 week in Jersey exploring the island, 2 days in Jersey is enough time to see a lot of places in Jersey Channel Island. Jersey Island is very small and easy to drive around making it a good place to visit for just a few days.

Do I need a passport to go to Jersey?

Flying from the UK to Jersey does not require a passport as there are no passport checks either side at immigration.

Is Jersey expensive?

Jersey is an expensive place and it is expensive to live in Jersey, however, to visit as a tourist you will find that prices are similar to the UK and Western Europe and it is possible to visit Jersey on a budget !

Is Jersey cheaper than the UK?

For a weekend trip to Jersey you will find that prices are similar to the UK and London and in some cases cheaper than London prices.

I hope that following your trip you’ll leave feeling revived, restored and ready to take on life, yet you’ll have tried a new sport, met lovely people and be filled with memories like I was

Visit Jersey is dubbing Jersey as #theislandbreak and I can certainly see why!

• More of my Jersey posts:

To SEE a bit of my trip to Jersey then check out my YouTube video here !

I visited Jersey with Visit Jersey but all opinions & thoughts are my own. .

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Thursday 9th of November 2017

What a lovely way to spend a weekend and what a great time to go too - when its still quite warm but many people have already had their summer holidays. I've been to Guernsey before which was nice, but never Jersey so hopefully I will go one day. RIB boat looked awesome in the youtube video!

TheWanderingQuinn

Friday 10th of November 2017

It was soo nice! I'd highly recommend a trip there. I do really want to go to Guernsey now though so glad you liked it, thanks for reading :)

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EUROPE , ITINERARIES , JERSEY , UNITED KINGDOM · August 6, 2018 Last Updated on March 13, 2024

JERSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS: THE PERFECT WEEKEND ITINERARY

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Jersey, officially called the Bailiwick of Jersey, is the largest of the Channel Islands. It is situated in the English Channel but is only 12 nautical miles from France. In the spirit of exploring more of the UK, or the British Isles in this case, I decided to a pay a visit to Jersey. Follow this guide to plan the perfect weekend itinerary for your visit to Jersey, Channel Islands.

Jersey is, technically speaking, a Crown Dependency, like Guernsey and the Isle of Man. This means it is self-governing, with its own financial and judicial systems. However, it is defended and represented internationally by the United Kingdom, which is why I still included it on my UK bucket list.

TRANSPORTATION TO AND AROUND JERSEY

If you are in the UK, Jersey is only a short flight away. Some airlines like EasyJet even fly direct from major UK airports. The currency used is the Jersey Pound, which has the same value as the British Pound. Both are used interchangeably on the island. You might pay in British Pounds and receive Jersey Pounds as change. Because Jersey Pounds are not widely accepted in the UK, make sure you use those up on the island. You will also find prices are similar to what you’d see in the UK.

I stayed in the centre of Saint Helier, the capital of Jersey, only a short walk from the bus station. The bus service is great in summer but much more limited in winter.  If you are visiting during the colder months, I recommend hiring a car to get around. Although Jersey is only about 45 square miles, there isn’t a shortage of things to do. Here is my long weekend itinerary, perfect for a summer visit to Jersey.

DAY 1: VISIT  LA MARE WINE ESTATE & BIOLUMINESCENSE WALK

1) la mare wine estate.

Most people are familiar with Jersey’s agriculture, particularly the Jersey Royal potato. However, the climate in Jersey also means it is an ideal place to grow grapes. And that means wine! La Mare Wine Estate was established in 1972 and produces a range of wines as well as cider, gin and ale. Visitors can start with wine tasting and then enjoy the vineyards, orchards and gardens.

2) BIOLUMINESCENSE WALK

Visit Jersey’s internationally recognised Ramsar Wetland site to explore the glow-in-the-dark beach on a  bioluminescence walk . Jersey Walk Adventures takes you on a guided nighttime walk in search of fireflies and glow worms around the area’s rock pools and sand bars. I didn’t make it on this tour this time but it was highly recommended. That just means I have an excuse to come back!

DAY 2: A DAY AT THE BEACH OR VISIT  SAINT AUBIN & SAINT HELIER

For an island that is only 9 miles wide and 5 miles long, Jersey has its fair share of beaches . Apparently, you are never more than 10 minutes away from the sea.

Our Jersey resident friends recommended Saint Brélade’s Bay. Although busy, this popular beach is a favourite for its safe swimming and beach activities. Here you can go paddle boarding and banana boating when you’re not taking a break relaxing in the sunshine. There are also a few cafés and shops right next to the beach for when you need an ice-lolly fix.

For somewhere quieter, there is Portlet Bay, which is highly recommended by locals. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, known for is gold sands and clear shallow waters. You have to walk down a steep set of stairs to access the beach, so be prepared. Once there, there are plenty of cafes to choose from for lunch.

If you have a car, try Plemont Bay, which also seems to be a local favourite. This beach is known for its wildlife (there’s a good chance you’ll spot some dolphins), rock pools, caves, and even a nearby waterfall to discover   Like Portlet Bay, you need to descend a steep set of stairs to get to the beach. Go at low tide to enjoy the beach, but if the tide is high, you can always sit and have a drink at the nearby Plemont Beach Cafe until the tide goes out. 

2) SAINT AUBIN & SAINT HELIER

Originally a fishing village, St. Aubin is located on the west side of the island and opens out to a bay called the Gulf of Saint-Malo. Spend some time walking around St. Aubin before dinner. For food, I recommend The Old Court House Inn or the Salty Dog , two local favourites. Afterwards, head back into St. Helier for some evening libations. Get a cocktail at Ce Soir or the Royal Yacht , which are always packed on a Saturday night.

DAY 3: VISIT THE  JERSEY WAR TUNNELS & LAVENDER FARM

1) war tunnels.

The Jersey War Tunnels tell the story of life in Jersey during World War II. The tunnel complex is 50 meters deep into the hillside within St. Peter’s Valley. It was originally intended to be a barracks and ammunition store for German forces occupying Jersey from 1940-1945. This is an opportunity to learn about the people who experienced life under occupation. The stories you’ll hear at the War Tunnels were told first hand or passed down through generations in local families. There’s no need to book in advance, but it does get quite busy. One and a half hours should be plenty of time to explore.

2) JERSEY LAVENDER FARM

No need to go to Valensole to get that Instagram-worthy pic with the lavender fields in bloom. Although smaller, Jersey has its own lavender farm located on the south west of the island in Saint Brélade. St. Brélade is easily accessible by bus. It is open from May until August (but is closed on Mondays). This year they took longer to harvest the lavender so that more people could enjoy the spectacle. The best time to see it in bloom is from early June to early August. Make sure you catch one of the educational talks during the day. You will also get a chance to see the distillery to learn about the farm and smell some of the lavender oils. Visitors can walk around the fields, feed the free-roaming chickens, and have a shot on the swing.

DAY 4: FINISH WITH A  RIB BOAT ADVENTURE

Make your way to Saint Catherine’s Breakwater in the northeast of the island for an unforgettable rib boat adventure . This spot is also easily accessible by bus. At St. Catherine’s Breakwater, you will be picked up in a 12-person rib boat. There are plenty of tours from which to choose depending on how much time you have. The tours range from one to eight hours. Hopefully you will be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of sea lions and dolphins, like I did on the Écréhous trip. You may also spot some puffins on whichever tour you chose. If you are visiting in the summer, remember to bring your swimwear as everyone goes in for a dip (even if the water is a bit chilly!).

I hope that this has inspired you to visit Jersey! If you have been to Jersey before please feel free to add any tips and recommendations in the comments section below.

We hope that this article has inspired you to plan a weekend getaway to Jersey, Channel Islands. If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below.

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• A Complete Guide To Hiking Mount Snowdon
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3 days in jersey itinerary: the best way to see the island [2024].

If you’re heading to the Channel Islands and want to know the best way to see Jersey, then look no further than this 3 days in Jersey itinerary!

Despite being only five miles long and nine miles wide, Jersey is a beautiful island packed with so many things to do and places to explore.

So much so, that you could easily spend a whole week here.

However, if you only have three days on your hands, don’t worry because this guide will show you how to maximise your time and get the best out of Jersey!

Faraway Lucy was welcomed as a guest of Visit Jersey ; however, as always, all opinions are my own.

Where is Jersey?

If you’re not already familiar with Jersey, let me give you a little backstory.

Situated fourteen miles from the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France.

Luckily for locals and visitors alike, this means that the island benefits from the same climate as the North of France.

This means that sunny days are far more guaranteed than they are back home in the UK!

Jersey is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, and as a result, the island feels like a mix between England and France, taking influence from both countries.

The island has a strong Norman-French culture, which you’ll notice in the French place names as you make your way around the island.

However, it still retains its British cultural influence in the shape of the island’s use of English as the main language and pound sterling as its primary currency.

How to get to Jersey

Undoubtedly, the best way to get to Jersey is to fly!

And luckily for you, flights tend to be on the cheaper side too.

British Airways , EasyJet and Loganair all fly from the UK to Jersey, and if you’re flying from London (as I did), you can expect to get there in just forty minutes. Yep, just forty minutes!

However, if you’re not based near to London, don’t worry because you can also fly to Jersey from lots of other airports across the UK.

We’re talking Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Doncaster, Southampton and Liverpool.

We flew out first thing on Friday morning and flew back last thing Sunday evening.

This meant we had three full days to explore the island, and only had to use one day of annual leave.

However, if time is on your side and you’re based near Poole or Portsmouth, you can also choose to visit Jersey via ferry, and your journey will take around four hours.

Head on over to Condor Ferries and get booking, if you want to opt for a slower travel approach!

Where to stay in Jersey

You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in Jersey.

You’ve got luxury hotels, cheap Airbnbs, and everything in between!

However, the island is only home to two hostels, JAAC and Durrell Wildlife Hostel , so if you’re looking to travel on a very tight budget, this might not be the place for you.

We personally stayed in Somerville Hotel , one of the most famous and popular hotels on the whole island.

Nestled on the hillside in St Aubin, an enchanting fishing village, the country house hotel enjoys seriously good views.

The four-star hotel also serves up award-winning food (hello free breakfast!), a relaxing garden and pool area, free parking, free Wi-Fi and much more.

How to get around Jersey

By far the best way to get around Jersey is by car.

In fact, I’d probably go so far as to say that a car is almost essential if you want to maximise your time on this beautiful island.

I mean, you’re going to want to see as much of it as possible, right?

I’d recommend booking your rental car in Jersey before you arrive.

This way, once you leave the baggage area in the airport, you can quickly hop over to the car hire desks and drive away!

Car hire was surprisingly really cheap and the best bit is that because Jersey is such a small island, you won’t have to worry about fuel costs either.

We managed to see practically the whole island during our 3 days in Jersey and didn’t use more than half a tank of fuel.

Therefore, we didn’t have to visit a petrol station once. Cha-ching!

Please note that in Jersey they drive on the left (just like in the UK) and the island’s speed limit is set to 40mph.

However, if you don’t drive, you can also rely on Jersey’s public bus system to get around too. They even offer a ‘hop on hop off’ ticket.

There’s a bus stop right outside the airport to take people into St Helier, the capital of the island, and once you’re there you can check out the bus timetable .

Alternatively, other options for getting around are walking or cycling.

Yep, Jersey is so small that you can actually get around this way!

Not only is it healthier for you, but it’s more eco-friendly too!

Day 1 of your 3 Days in Jersey Itinerary

Midday: visit la corbière lighthouse.

After arriving in Jersey late morning, it’s time to get straight to exploring!

Grab some lunch on the go if you’re feeling hungry (this is a great picnic spot after all), then head to La Corbière Lighthouse.

La Corbière is one of Jersey’s most famous attractions and one that absolutely cannot be left off any 3 days in Jersey itinerary.

Not only is its architecture impressive but the scenery surrounding it is too.

Whether you choose to admire the lighthouse from afar or walk the causeway to explore it up close (and go rock climbing as I did) is up to you.

No matter how you choose to enjoy this attraction, you’re guaranteed a great time.

Top tip: head back here for sunset later – it will blow your mind!

Early afternoon: Visit Noirmont Point

Before your main afternoon activity, head to Noirmont Point, a picturesque headland in St Brelade.

The coastal tower was acquired by the States in 1950 as the Island’s war memorial, so not only does it look amazing but it’s steeped in history too.

You won’t need to spend more than half an hour here (unless you go rock climbing) but it’s a beautiful spot to take some photos and soak up the scenery!

Late afternoon: Wild food forage with Wild Adventures Jersey

Address: Kempt Tower, La Grande Route des Mielles JE3 2FN

Phone number: 01534 744101

Next up on this 3 days in Jersey itinerary, we have one of my highlights of the entire trip!

I cannot even begin to describe how much this activity took me by surprise. I absolutely loved every second of it.

If you want to learn more about the history of the island and wild food foraging while eating some delicious plants with the best company you could ask for, look no further than Wild Adventures Jersey .

The legend that is Kazz Padidar takes you on a wild food forage in the wilds of St Ouen.

Along the way, you’ll take in fascinating scenery, encounter local wildlife and learn about the vast variety of edible and medicinal plants along the way.

Just trust me on this one and do it! You’ll thank me later, I promise.

Early evening: Drinks at Project 52

Address: Waterloo Lane, St. Helier JE2 4WW

Phone number: 07700 803131

After checking into your hotel and freshening up for the evening, I think you deserve a drink after all that exploring, don’t you?

For one of the coolest places to drink in St Helier, head to  Project 52 , a bar so exclusive that you’ll probably struggle to even find it.

(I can confirm it even took us a while!) Top tip: look for the buzzer!

This Orwellian-inspired drinking establishment is discreetly located down a cobbled lane.

But once you’re in, I promise you it’s worth it.

Founded by a community of Jersey’s innovators and creators across a wide range of industries from art and architecture to finance and communications, Project 52 was created to be a space where anyone can feel at home. And that’s exactly what it felt like!

The public lounge was a ridiculously cosy space where you can melt into a chair to a backing track of 1920s style Jazz and ragtime.

As far as drinks are concerned, you’re spoilt for choice – so much so, that you’ll find yourself flicking back and forth through the pages of their drinks menu.

Why not just use that as a good excuse to get a few more drinks in, ey?

We were particularly impressed by the large offering of non-alcoholic drinks, including beer, cocktails and even wine. Bottoms up!

Evening: Dinner at Banjo

Address: 8 Beresford Street, St. Helier JE2 4WN

Phone number: 01534 850890

We’ve got to kick your first night in Jersey off with a bang, right?

In comes Banjo , a European-style grand brasserie serving tasty steak and fabulous fish as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

The elegant sophisticated restaurant certainly looks the part, and luckily for you, the food matches too!

After a busy day exploring, we were ready to dig into some delicious food, and delicious food is exactly what we got.

I started with a basket of continental bread (because, duh), and I followed this up with a vegan main of pumpkin and aubergine tikka masala with green coconut yoghurt, roast almonds, and crispy fried chickpeas.

To say it was delicious would be an understatement!

And for dessert, I opted for a dark chocolate bomb with vanilla ice cream, roast pear, hot chocolate sauce, which was equally as mind-blowing.

Day 2 of your 3 Days in Jersey Itinerary

Morning: have a mini spa day at ayush wellness spa.

Address: Hotel de France, St. Saviour’s Road JE1 7XP

Phone number: 01534 614000

After a busy day travelling and exploring yesterday, I think it’s only fair that you kick off the second day of your 3 days in Jersey itinerary with a little R&R right?

After enjoying a free breakfast at your hotel, spend the morning relaxing at Ayush Wellness Spa at Hotel de France .

Here you can use the infinity pool, hydrotherapy pool with jacuzzi, hot and cold plunge pools and sauna and steam room.

And if you really want to treat yourself (this is a holiday after all), why not add a treatment to your spa morning too?

I’ve got to say, my facial was something special!

I personally don’t enjoy coming back to work after a weekend break feeling more tired than I was when I left. (Which is almost inescapable, right?)

But with a mini spa day, you’ll feel totally relaxed for the rest of your trip.

Early afternoon: Lunch at The Hungry Man

Address: Rozel Bay, Trinity, JE3 5BN

Phone number: 01534 863227

After dragging yourself away from the spa (I promise you won’t want to leave!), it’s time to drive fifteen minutes to the north of the island to the scenic Rozel Bay.

Because it’s ridiculously cute, Rozel Bay is worth a visit in its own right, but what you really come here for is to refuel at the famous Hungry Man kiosk.

I mean, it’s basically illegal to visit the seaside without some chips, right?

And when The Hungry Man serves up some of the best of the best you really can’t say no!

However, you can get more than just chips here.

From gourmet burgers to crab sandwiches to delicious homemade cakes, there are endless options for you to tuck into.

And not only is the food delicious but the views are just as special.

Just remember to bundle up warm in the chillier months as all seating is al fresco!

Late afternoon: Explore Mont Orgueil Castle

Address: Castle Green, Gorey JE3 6ET

Phone number: 0 1534 853292

Next up on this 3 days in Jersey itinerary is a trip to one of the most famous attractions in Jersey: Mont Orgueil Castle .

Steeped in history, this impressive medieval castle has cast its shadow over the beautiful fishing village of Gorey for over 800 years.

The village is worth a visit in itself because as you can see from the photo above, it’s pretty picturesque!

And, of course, it’s worth catching a glimpse of Mont Orgueil from afar so you can appreciate its full glory.

However, if you really want to learn more about the fascinating history of the castle, it’s worth paying the £13.40 entry fee.

Take your time exploring the network of staircases, towers and secret rooms to discover gruesome tales and hidden treasures.

And once you finally get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views in all of Jersey. Worth the price tag in itself, I assure you!

We visited on the most beautiful sunny day and it felt (and looked!) like we were in the Mediterranean.

The French coast has never looked better!

Evening: Dinner at Portelet Bay Café

Address: La Rue Voisin JE3 8PN

Phone number: 01534 728550

Next up we have the highlight of our trip and somewhere that I absolutely urge everyone to visit while you’re in Jersey.

After climbing up all those steps to the top of Mont Orgueil Castle, it’s time for…

Ha, you thought I’d say food, didn’t you?

Well, unfortunately for you, it’s not that simple as Portelet Bay Café is equally as hard to find as Project 52. (I like making you work for your food and drink, okay?)

This family-run cafe is located right on the beach at Portelet Bay, set between the conservation areas of Noirmont and Portelet Common.

Basically what I’m saying it’s that it’s outstandingly beautiful but also outstandingly difficult to find.

Access to the cafe is either by steps down to the bay or boat.

You can’t drive to the cafe but this only makes it a million times more special and unique.

I’d recommend parking at one of two large public car parks, Noirmont or Ouaisne.

Each of which provides a fifteen-minute walk across the headland to Portelet.

Once you finally arrive, you’ll be blown away by both the setting and the food.

Known for their authentic woodfired pizza as well as seasonal fresh fish during the summer, the cafe uses locally sourced produce wherever possible.

I had a mammoth feast of garlic bread to start, one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had for mains (with red peppers, red onion, butternut squash, rocket and fresh pesto for toppings), and a chocolate brownie with ice cream for dessert.

Words really can’t do this magical little spot justice.

I guess you’ll just have to come and experience it for yourself…

Day 3 of your 3 Days in Jersey Itinerary

Late morning: visit devil’s hole.

Address: The Priory Inn Devils Hole, La Grande Rue JE3 3BD

It’s your last day in Jersey so why not treat yourself to a lie-in and enjoy breakfast slowly?

After a slow morning, it’s time to head to one of my all-time favourite places in Jersey: Devil’s Hole.

Park at The Priory Inn , then descend the winding path to an impressive blowhole that has been eroded into Jersey’s coastline over the millennia.

The blowhole itself is not only seriously impressive but the views of Jersey’s north coast are unbeatable too.

If you have more time on your hands, you can extend the walk to discover some more cliff tops and secret bays that the north coast has to offer.

Early afternoon: Lunch and a wine tour at La Mare Wine Estate

Address: La Mare Wine Estate, St. Mary JE3 3BA

Phone number: 01534 481178

After discovering the natural beauty that is Devil’s Hole, drive just two minutes to La Mare Wine Estate to enjoy a delicious lunch at the Vineyard Cafe made by head chef, Marcin Ciechomski.

Whether you’re a wine lover or not, lunch at La Mare is worth it for both how yummy the food is and how beautiful the surroundings are.

I mean, who doesn’t want to eat lunch in the sunshine surrounded by a vineyard?

For lunch, I ordered the Mediterranean flatbread with peppers, red onion, tomato, mushrooms and mozzarella, with a side of chunky chips. And let me tell you: it was delicious.

After your lunch, join a guided tour for a unique vineyard experience.

The tour takes you around the beautiful vineyards, orchards, the Cognac style distillery and the chocolate production kitchen. (The last bit was definitely my favourite!)

As part of the tour, you’ll get to enjoy a variety of estate made products including two wines, apple brandy cream liqueur, chocolate, and ending with a G&T overlooking their award-winning gardens.

Sounds like a pretty good afternoon to me!

Late afternoon: Go for a walk down St Ouens Bay

What better way to round off your 3 days in Jersey itinerary than with a long beach walk?

Luckily, at St Ouens Bay, you’re not far from the airport.

So if you’ve got some time to kill before your flight, this is the perfect way to spend the hour.

You’ve already had a glimpse of St Ouens Bay while food foraging with Wild Adventures Jersey.

However, it’s now time to get a little more up close and personal with the beach.

Spanning almost the entire west coast of Jersey, with mile after mile of beautiful sand, it’s one of the most beautiful and famous beaches on the island. And for good reason!

At five miles long, there’s plenty of space and facilities for everyone, especially keen surfers.

So if you have time and fancy getting your surf on, why not hit the waves before you make your way home?

When in Jersey, after all!

So there you have it: a 3 days in Jersey itinerary!

I couldn’t recommend a trip to Jersey more so if you’re now feeling inclined to hit that ‘book flight’ button, I hope you have the most amazing trip.

Well, I say ‘I hope’ but I know you will because Jersey is great!

Tell me: what from this 3 days in Jersey itinerary are you most excited to do?

Please let me know in the comments below!

Please note that ferry bookings are currently unavailable due to a change in Condor Ferries' reservations system. We expect ferry bookings to be available on the afternoon of Tuesday 1st March. Please contact us to check dates / times and we will endeavour to book your selected dates once the system is up and running.

Low tide revelations await those who adventure

Jersey Holidays and Breaks

Local knowledge, expertly assured..

Here at Jerseytravel we’ve been putting together unforgettable Channel Islands holidays for over 40 years.

Our deep-rooted presence in Jersey, along with our locally team, ensure that your trip will be truly unique and memorable. From recommending the perfect place to stay to sharing our own hidden gems and Jersey’s best kept secrets, we provide unparalleled customer service.

Whether you are looking for an ‘off the shelf’ Jersey holiday or a unique tailormade experience, our friendly team will ensure that your holiday is stress-free and seamless, and you can book safe in the knowledge that your trip is both ATOL protected and ABTA assured.

Recommended Jersey holiday offers

The Club Hotel & Spa

Enjoy a complimentary Michelin Star dinner for two when you stay 7 nights.

Holidays by Sea

Enjoy the total flexibility of travel by sea with your own car. See our offers from Poole.

Monterey Hotel

Children up to 12 stay FREE when sharing with 2 adults. Meal charges apply.

History & Heritage

Book our History & Heritage Package from £349pp for 3 nights.

St. Brelades Bay Hotel

Stay 3 nights for the price of 2. Valid from January to April 2024.

Island Hopping Holidays

Explore the Channel Islands with a Tailormade Island Hopping package.

Merton Hotel

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Day Trippin’ in Jersey This Spring Login or Register to save this to your Favorites.

When you’re in a garden state of mind but don’t have a lot of time, it’s jersey day trips to the rescue. here are just some of the cool day trips that are within reach – from the shops to the mountains to the beach..

Spring to the Shore – Spend the day relaxing by the ocean with a great book, collecting shells, strolling the boards or shopping the breezy boutiques. Spring temps and fewer crowds promise a great day all around. Some beaches with boardwalks you’ll want to coast to include Ocean City , Belmar and Atlantic City . See the rest of NJ’s 130 miles of fabulous beaches here . Not sure which beach is for you? Learn more.

Go All-Out Artistic – Brush up on all types of art in a day at these Jersey gems: Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ’s largest museum, the Newark Museum of Art , Montclair Art Museum in the central part of the state or the Museum of American Glass , the heart of WheatonArts in Millville.

Get into Museum-Mode – The perfect any-weather learning, seeing, doing type of day trip can be found at: the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, The African American Heritage Museum of South Jersey located in Atlantic City and Insectropolis , The Bugseum of New Jersey in Tom’s River. For more museums, click here .

Travel Back in Time – Plan a day to dive into NJ’s diverse history. Whether you’ve always wanted to see the Sandy Hook Lighthouse (the oldest operating lighthouse in the US) or visit Revolutionary War sites like Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, the options are endless. See more historic sites .

C’mon Out – Jersey is home to some of the most scenic outdoor adventures in the US, and spring is the perfect time to head out and enjoy them. Try ziplining at Mountain Creek in Vernon, tip-toeing along acres and acres of tulips (and picking your own to bring home) at Holland Ridge Farm in Cream Ridge or hiking NJ’s 72-mile portion of the Appalachian Trail . Here are more outdoorsy ideas .

Monkey Around – When it comes to places to see animals , go wild in NJ. Check out Lakota Wolf Preserve located in the mountains of the Delaware Water Gap in Warren County, Hidden Spring Lavender and Alpaca Farm in Skillman or head south to Cape May Park Zoo , Adventure Aquarium in Camden and Wild Safari Adventure in Jackson. We’re adding Lucy the Elephant here too. She’s not real, but she’s a realllllly great place to tour and explore.

Soar & Smile – Theme parks, amusement parks, indoor water parks. There are sooo many places to find high flyin’ rides in Jersey. Here are a few of our favorites: North America’s largest indoor water park and largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere at American Dream in East Rutherford, Morey’s Piers in the Wildwoods and Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson. More ideas here .

Be Young at Heart – Don’t miss the chance to experience one of these super fun kid-friendly outings: Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township, Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, Diggerland USA in West Berlin, and out-of-this-world shows at the Planetarium at New Jersey State Museum. All of these are great for singles, couples, seniors, families, you name it.

Shop, Shop, Shop - If you love to shop (and who doesn’t?), Jersey is the place to be! Save a lot too - at Tanger Outlets, The Walk in Atlantic City and The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth. And if it’s antiques you seek, head to the central part of the state to shop Lambertville , known as “The Antiques Capital of New Jersey.” For more shopping meccas, including the amazing American Dream , head here . And if boutiques and main streets are more your speed, take a look .

Wherever you choose to spend your day, you’re sure to work up an appetite, so check out some restaurants nearby. And if you decide to turn your day trip into an overnight visit, that works too. New Jersey has amazing places to stay in every part of the state - north, central and south. As always, check with your destinations before you go for the latest hours and details. Start your journey with the free NJ travel guide and sign up for our e-newsletter too. See you in Jersey!

Best Things to Do at the Jersey Shore

We've put together the ultimate jersey shore bucket list, filled with destinations, day trips and activities you absolutely must check out..

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It’s time for another amazing season at the Jersey Shore.

Wondering how to spend those summer days? You’re in luck! We’ve put together the ultimate Jersey Shore bucket list, filled with destinations, day trips and activities you absolutely must check out .

And if all that activity makes you work up an appetite, check out our favorite places to eat and drink at the Shore—plus a plethora of new places to enjoy this summer .

CLIMB THE CAPE MAY LIGHTHOUSE

Embark on a Stairway to the Stars Lighthouse climb this summer.  Photo courtesy of Cape May MAC

Feeling energetic? It’s a mere 199 steps up a winding iron staircase to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse , a majestic, 157-foot-tall tower. Windows at six landing platforms provide a breather and admit natural light. At the top, you can step outside and stroll around the encaged catwalk for a 360-degree view. This season’s full-moon climbs are scheduled for May 5, June 3, July 2, August 1 and August 30. New last year, Stairway to the Stars climbs are being offered June 18, July 17 and August 16—new-moon nights when the sky is darkest and stars are most visible. —Ken Schlager 215 Lighthouse Avenue, Cape May Point • 609-884-5404

ROCK OUT AT THE STONE PONY

The Stone Pony is one of New Jersey’s most historic music clubs, known for helping to launch the careers of two of the state’s most famous music icons: Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. When the weather warms up, the Pony opens its outdoor Summer Stage. There’s no shortage of talent and variety in Asbury Park this summer, with a lineup that includes Indigo Girls, Demi Lovato, the B-52s and Trey Anastasio. —Gary Phillips 913 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park • 732-502-0600

SEE (OR BUILD) AMAZING SANDCASTLES

The Bikini Boys of Seaside Heights sculpt a Finding Nemo- inspired design at the annual New Jersey Sandcastle Contest.  Patti Sapone/NJ Advance Media

Gather your sand-digging gear for the 36th annual New Jersey Sandcastle Contest on July 12 in Belmar. From 8 am until noon, contestants can sculpt by the sea to compete for first-, second- and third-place prizes in a variety of categories, as well as a Best on Beach award. Judging is based on originality, creativity and use of accessories. Multiple times, the Bikini Boys of Seaside Heights have won with elaborate and very impressive designs depicting Finding Nemo (pictured above) and SpongeBob SquarePants . Here, it is just as fun to watch as it is to build. The contest takes place on the beach between 17th and 19th avenues; participants should enter on 18th Avenue. —Falyn Stempler 18th Avenue Beach, Belmar  

Buy our June 2023 issue here . Cover photo by Ann Coen

HIDE OUT AT A HIDDEN BEACH

Want to spend a weekend at the Shore but avoid the crowds? Check out one of our favorite hidden beaches—some of the area’s most out-of-the-way, secluded spots that offer a break from the summer hustle and bustle. Nature lovers and families will adore the birding opportunities and calm waters at Cape May County’s Higbee Beach—a gem hidden behind woodend dunes—while Ocean County’s Holgate (pictured above) is the most off-the-beaten-path spot on Long Beach Island. Popamora Point in Monmouth County is tiny, rarely draws a crowd, and even offers a distant look at Manhattan on a clear day. Cape May County’s Strathmere offers relaxing seclusion—and free entrance. Brigantine is the opposite of Atlantic City, which you have to drive through to get there. Although the Wildwoods are known for their upbeat energy and lively attractions, North Wildwood offers up a quieter beach experience. Speaking of calmer cousins, Seaside Park has a markedly more laid-back vibe than nearby Seaside Heights (which, yes, is where Jersey Shore was filmed).

Click here to read our full guide to New Jersey’s hidden beaches.

GET YOUR FORTUNE READ AT MADAM MARIE’S

Asbury Park boardwalk fortune-teller Madam Marie was immortalized through another Jersey Shore icon: Bruce Springsteen. The Boss used to stop by her booth and have his fortune read when he was in town. Rumor has it she told him that he’d someday be a huge success—though he later said she told all the musicians that. (In this case, she was right!) Springsteen mentions Madam Marie in his song “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy),” singing: “Did you hear the cops finally busted Madam Marie for tellin’ fortunes better than they do?” Madam Marie—whose real name was Marie Castello—died in 2008, but her family continues to give readings from her famed boardwalk booth. —Jacqueline Mroz

VISIT LUCY THE ELEPHANT

The iconic Lucy the Elephant in Margate is six stories tall. Photo courtesy of Save Lucy Committee Inc.

Everyone’s favorite Jersey Shore icon, Lucy , the six-story pachyderm, recently underwent a $2 million restoration that included total replacement of her outer skin and any rotted wood underneath. “The big issue is rust,” explained Lucy’s executive director, Richard Helfant, last summer. Tours are available. —KS 200 Atlantic Avenue, Margate • 609-823-6473

Click here to read more on Lucy the Elephant’s restoration.

EAT UP AT CHOWDERFEST

Eager taste-testers flock to Long Beach Island well after Labor Day for the annual Chowderfest in Beach Haven. The free bayfront event (September 30) features a smorgasbord of seafood- and veggie-laden stews, lovingly cooked up by local restaurateurs who all swear their recipe reigns supreme. Winners are announced at the festival’s end. Too hungry to wait until the end of September? Beginning Labor Day weekend, you can partake in the Chowder Trail by sampling and voting on chowders at participating eateries along the island. —Jennifer Finn Taylor Avenue Ball Field, Beach Haven

EXPLORE ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK

Island Beach State Park is a little-known barrier-island preserve located near Seaside Heights that contains close to 10 miles of pristine sandy beach, an extensive shoreline along Barnegat Bay, dense maritime forests, rolling sand dunes and tidal marshes. There’s a vehicle entry fee of $6-$20, and when all the parking spaces are full, the park is closed to new visitors arriving by car. The most popular activities are swimming and surf fishing, but you can also ride your bicycle, surf, go for a hike, have a picnic, kayak, or even bring your horse. However, it may be most famous as the site of former Governor Chris Christie’s 2017 family beach jaunt, which they enjoyed —even though he’d closed all the state parks and beaches during the July 4th holiday weekend that year due to a state-government shutdown. —JM 2401 Central Avenue, Seaside Park

HUNT FOR CAPE MAY DIAMONDS

Members of the Andersen family search for Cape May diamonds in the sand. Photo by Jessica Orlowicz

Cape May diamonds, as they’ve come to be known, have been tumbling toward Cape May from the headwaters of the Delaware River for thousands of years. They’re not real diamonds, but rather quartz stones that were swept out of pockets of the mineral upstream and carried downriver. Many wash ashore at Sunset Beach in Cape May Point, where they are treasured finds for scores of beachcombers. Cape May diamonds shine when they’re wet, so they’re easiest to spot if you hunt for them down by the water. The pebbles are generally small (a quarter-inch or so in size), clear or opaque, and rounded from their rocky ride down the river. A plastic sifter is helpful to have when you search. First-time diamond hunters can start their quest at the Sunset Beach Gift Shop. —Lynn Martensein

Click here to read more on Cape May diamonds.

SEE A FLICK ON THE BEACH

No need to “Netflix and chill” or take a pricey trip to the theater. Catch free outdoor movie screenings all summer long at several spots down the Shore. The typically family-friendly selections range from classics to popular new movies like Encanto . Make sure to pack your own chairs or blanket, plus snacks. Some spots with regular showings include Avalon’s Surfside Park, Belmar’s 7th Avenue beach, Long Branch’s Pier Village Festival Plaza, Margate’s Martin Bloom Pavilion, Sea Isle City’s Excursion Park and Wildwood’s Byrne Plaza.  —FS

EMBRACE DOO WOP IN THE WILDWOODS

Take a Doo Wop tour in the Wildwoods to experience unique architecture.  Courtesy of Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority

The 1950s and 1960s were the heyday for the Wildwoods, home to the largest collection of midcentury resort architecture in the country. For a stroll back in time, the Doo Wop Experience Museum —which landed a spot on our list of must-visit New Jersey museums—leads tours of classic Wildwood motels and landmarks every Tuesday and Thursday night in the summer beginning on June 28. See the best of these Doo Wop-style landmarks with a knowledgeable guide smartly dressed in 1950s attire. The tour leaves from the front of the Doo Wop Experience Museum at 8 pm on each of those nights. Admission is $13 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. Reservations should be made in advance either online or by calling the museum. —JM 4500 Ocean Avenue, Wildwood • 609-551-2289

GO BIRDING IN CAPE MAY

Cape May offers one-of-a-kind birding opportunities. Photo by Jessica Orlowicz

Few places in the country—some say, even the world—offer a better perch for viewing migrating birds’ fly-in than Cape May in fall. Like many wingless folks, avians make their way to the southern tip of the state to rest and refuel. From late August to early November, more than a million birds touch down in a few square miles of beaches, forests and marshlands at the south end of the state. New Jersey Audubon offers highly popular weekly tours at three of Cape May’s top bird-watching spots: Higbee Beach, the Cape May Bird Observatory and Cape May Point State Park. It also offers birding tours in   Cape May’s back bay. —LM

Click here to read more on Cape May birding.

HIT THE BOARDWALK ON A SURREY  

Surreys seat two to six people and can be rented on boardwalks all over the Shore. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock/Brocreative

If you want to experience the boardwalk from a completely different vantage point, rent a surrey: a four-wheeled quadricycle that seats two, four or six people. The old-timey-looking vehicle has open bench seats and a canopy on top, and is powered by humans rather than a motor; most Shore boardwalks have them to rent. They are perfect for families with young children. Seaside Heights Bike and Surrey Rental has them available for $35 an hour (2-3 people) or $45 an hour (4-6 people). —JM

HIT THE RACES AT MONMOUTH PARK

Visit one of the country’s top 10 racetracks as the thoroughbreds run Fridays to Sundays through September. With 8,000 seats in the grandstand and hundreds of shaded tables in the family picnic area, Monmouth Park offers plenty of room to spread out. For as little as $2, place a bet on a horse to win a race. Horse-racing fans can watch and bet on simulcast races and professional sporting events seven days a week. —R.C. Staab 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport • 732-222-5100

SCUBA DIVE DOWN TO A SHIPWRECK

Looking for an underwater adventure this summer? There are thousands of shipwrecks off the coast waiting to be explored by certified divers . The R.P. Resor , located 120 feet below the surface and 32 miles off Long Beach Island, and the Gulf Trade , which split into two dive sites at Barnegat Inlet, are two examples . Both oil tankers were torpedoed by World War II-era German U-boats. The USS Algol , meanwhile, remains intact beyond Point Pleasant, where it now serves as an artificial reef after sinking in 1991. —GP  

WATCH FOR WHALES

Some of the world’s largest mammals make Jersey waters home during the summer, including humpback whales, fin whales and northern right whales. The humpback is the most common, particularly juveniles. New Jerseyans can take whale-watching tours , including in Cape May ( Cape May Whale Watcher ), Belmar ( Jersey Shore Whale Watch ) and Highlands ( Seastreak ). —GP  

CHECK OUT SEA LIFE ON THE BOARDWALK

Now in its 31st year, Jenkinson’s Aquarium is ideal for ducking out of a gray day—or a sunny one, for that matter. The African penguins are a favorite at this boardwalk attraction, but you’ll also see sharks, seals, sea turtles and all manner of fish in a variety of creatively composed habitat exhibits. The touch tank is another major attraction. —KS 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach • 732-892-0600

MEET OCEAN GROVE’S UNIQUE TENT COMMUNITY

The striped awnings may be the same but the interiors of Ocean Grove’s tents are unique. Photo by James J. Connolly

Ocean Grove comes alive each May, when the canvas tents are erected and striped awnings sprout on the paths and narrow roads around the towering Great Auditorium. While the colorful awnings create a uniform look, inside the similarities end. “They’re all the same, but they are all different, like a New York City studio,” says tenter Donna Scudder. For non-residents interested in seeing the tent community, the tents are located along public streets and public walkways, so the exterior can be viewed and enjoyed any time. However, the canvas tenting and awnings are only up when the tents are occupied between mid-May and mid-September. The tents are not open for tours. —RCS

Click here to read more about life in Ocean Grove’s tent community.

WALK THE COUNTRY’S FIRST BOARDWALK IN AC

The Atlantic City Boardwalk is the first in the U.S.  Photo: Shutterstock/Mia2you

These days, a handful of Shore beach towns have popular boardwalks, but Atlantic City’s is the original—and in some opinions, remains the best . Constructed in 1870 for Victorian strolling sans the sand, the six-mile-long stretch of wood planks have had their share of storm strife. The Boardwalk has been rebuilt in portions at least six times, including a 2021 initiative. Nowadays, strolling the iconic walkway gives access to casinos, bandstands for music venues, and restaurants (including Margaritaville, which protrudes from the Boardwalk over the sand), shops and more. —Deborah P. Carter

GIVE A SUNSET SALUTE TO VETERANS

The family of Charles F. Coyle honors his service to his country at a flag-lowering ceremony in Cape May Point in August 2021. Photo by Jessica Orlowicz

Almost every day in summer is Veterans Day at Sunset Beach in Cape May Point. Throughout the summer, family and friends gather to honor a U.S. veteran at a stirring beachfront flag-lowering ceremony. It’s a moving tribute that often pulls beachgoers off the sand, many of whom end up singing along to the national anthem or pledging allegiance to the flag with their hands over their hearts. Fittingly, it was a veteran who began the tradition. The late Marvin Hume, an aviation machinist’s mate in the U.S. Navy durng WWII, started the ceremony in 1973, the same year he bought the property, to honor his three best friends who were killed at Pearl Harbor. The ceremony is free. —LM

Click here to read more on the Sunset Beach flag-lowering ceremony.

ENJOY THE WATERFRONT AND HISTORY

Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum , a 40-acre waterfront village on the mainland side of Barnegat Bay west of Long Beach Island, comprises 15 buildings with displays of coastal culture, plus a self-service café for breakfast and lunch. Folk-life demonstrations include decoy carving and blacksmithing. One-hour Tuckerton Creek boat tours are offered 10 am-4 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays ($10). Starting July 4, the ferry from Beach Haven operates 8 am-7 pm Saturday-Monday ($12.50 roundtrip). —KS 120 W. Main Street, Tuckerton • 609-296-8868

EXPLORE VIKING VILLAGE

Founded as a lobster co-op at the northern tip of Long Beach Island in the 1920s, today’s Viking Village continues as a commercial fishing port, with the added attraction of clothing, crafts and collectibles shops , and food vendors—all housed in repurposed fishing shacks. You can take a free dock tour (10 am Fridays, starting July 7) or just stroll around the docks to admire the colorful fishing fleet. This year’s craft shows are scheduled for May 28, July 9 and September 3. —KS 1801 Bayview Avenue, Barnegat Light • 609-494-0113

INDULGE IN LUXE RELAXATION

In addition to salted margaritas at the happening bayfront Water Star Grille, the Reeds at Shelter Haven also boasts the Salt Spa , a luxury experience not typically found this far south on the Parkway. Choose from signature HydraFacials and massages, a mud ritual or salt scrub in the Turkish bath, cutting-edge Soft Pack Floats, raindrop therapy—or simply pop in for a quick blowout to tame those beach waves before heading out for the night. —Molly Gregor 9601 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor • 609-961-3009

GO GAGA AT OCEAN CITY’S BABY PARADE

Children under 10 years old take center stage at the annual Baby Parade in Ocean City.  Photo by Jessica Orlowicz

For more than a century, on the second Thursday each August, the tangled waves of runners and   beachgoers on the Ocean City boardwalk part like menhaden fish for humpback whales—to make way for babies in buggies and toddlers on trikes. Although it’s older than the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or the Miss America Pageant , the Ocean City Baby Parade is less about fancy floats and more about families staying up until 3 am with spray paint, fabric, cotton balls and glue. People come to applaud the show choir and marching bands or wave at Queen Infanta, but they save their oohs and aahs for the dozens of children under 10 years old dressed in elaborate swaddling or last year’s Halloween costumes. Registration opens in June at ocnj.us/babyparade . —RCS

Click here to read more about Ocean City’s Baby Parade.

GET YOUR FILL AT THE HIGHLANDS CLAM FEST

The 27th Highlands Clam Fest is being held from August 5-7 at Huddy Park. Photo by James J. Connolly

Two days before the annual Highlands Clam Fest , clammer Bill Mount takes his boat out into Raritan Bay, rakes up more than 2,000 hard clams, and drops them off at the depuration plant in Highlands for cleansing. The day of the festival, he takes the hard clams two blocks west to Huddy Park, where he and his family steam, season and sell them. The clams and other seafood sold by Mount and local restaurants come from nearby bay and ocean waters and are as fresh and tasty as anywhere on the East Coast. Beyond the clams, the reason people return year after year to the Highlands Clam Fest is the welcoming nature of this hardworking Jersey Shore bayside town. People take turns dunking the dummy to support the volunteer first aid squad, contribute to the 50/50 raffle for the volunteer fire department, and enjoy socializing on the Highlands picnic grounds. “Folks are really happy,” says Mayor Carolyn Broullon, who owns the Feed & Seed pet and general store. “They love to tell you how much they like the town.” The 27th annual Highlands Clam Fest is being held in Huddy Park from August 4-5. Admission is free. —RCS

HEAR THE BIGGEST INSTRUMENT IN THE WORLD

Take a break from the beach and listen to the circa-1930 pipe organ at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City—it’s the largest instrument in the world! On weekdays in the summer, visitors are invited to hear an organist play at noon and then take a tour to see the pipes, which are hidden inside the walls. It’s free, but donations are welcome. “For years this organ was sitting in disrepair. We’ve changed that,” says Scott D. Banks, membership and events coordinator at the Historic Organ Restoration Committee. Fifty-three percent of the organ—which is made up of more than 33,000 pipes—is fully functioning; in 2014, that number was 10 percent. The instrument is also known as sonic Mount Rushmore. — Georgia Kral 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City • 609-348-7000

EXPERIENCE AN 8-MILE WILDLIFE DRIVE

For a modest fee of $4 per car, the 8-mile Wildlife Drive at the Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge is guaranteed to showcase shorebirds such as herons, ospreys, egrets, and hawks. In the summer, walk, bike or drive and then climb a watch tower to observe baby ospreys learning to fly or herons stalking lunch—with views of Atlantic City and Brigantine in the distance. —RS 723 Great Creek Road, Galloway  

CELEBRATE THE COAST WITH THE BAYSHORE CENTER

Home to the 115-foot schooner AJ Meerwald —New Jersey’s official tall ship—the Bayshore Center is also a museum where young and old can learn the history of New Jersey’s local oyster industry. The Bayshore Center’s expanded Second Friday events (4-8:30 pm every second Friday of the summer months) feature live music, wine and beer (from nearby Glasstown Brewing Co.), locally sourced raw oysters, food trucks, craft vendors, speakers and free museum entry. The fun continues on Saturday After (the second Saturday of summer months), with family-oriented events from noon-5 pm. Alas, the Meerwald underwent a major restoration project this winter in Maine and likely won’t be ready to sail again until late summer. —KS 2800 High Street, Bivalve, Port Norris

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A day trip from Guernsey to Jersey: Our suggested itinerary with 10 brilliant things to do

The Channel Islands are enjoying somewhat of a revival among British travellers looking for a hassle-free long weekend. With direct flights connecting both Guernsey and Jersey to the UK mainland, and plenty of ferries from England’s south coast, it has never been easier to visit.

We explored Guernsey during an Easter weekend break, flying from Manchester to Jersey before hopping on the ferry to St Peter Port, Guernsey’s historic capital. Whilst Guernsey makes for an excellent short break in its own right, it is possible to see the best of the island in one action-packed day trip from nearby Jersey .

From historic castles to beautiful beaches, here is our suggested itinerary for a day trip to Guernsey – including ten brilliant things to do.

A day trip to Guernsey: Morning Activities

Start your morning off with a delicious breakfast before setting out to explore the best that St Peter Port has to offer. Here are our suggested morning activities for your day trip to Guernsey.

1) Grab breakfast in St Peter Port

Best for: Getting your day trip to Guernsey off to a strong start.

As soon as you step off the ferry, we recommend heading to Café Emilia for a hearty breakfast that will set you up for the day.

As you stroll through St Peter Port, this tiny city will be waking up. The hundreds of boats bobbing in the harbour will be sparkling in the early morning sunshine. The immense walls of Castle Cornet are a constant presence on the horizon as you look back out to sea.

If you can tear yourself away from the views, Café Emilia has a mouthwatering breakfast menu packed with classics and local treats. For those who have worked up an appetite, their traditional cooked breakfast is a winner, with a vegan alternative available. The menu also boasts nods to the Channel Islands’ Portuguese diaspora, with the likes of Huevos Ranchero and Picadinho adding an exciting twist.

2) Wander the streets of St Peter Port and take in the views

Best for: Getting to know Guernsey’s biggest town.

Having set yourself up for the day with breakfast and a coffee, it’s time to explore St Peter Port, Guernsey’s historic capital. This seaside town is a charming hotchpot of steep streets, winding alleyways and hidden surprises – perfect for a lazy stroll to burn off the bacon.

As the town starts to come to life, we recommend wandering around the central streets and enjoying the atmosphere. Watch the action down at the piers and port, where ferries, fishing boats and tourist vessels are constantly coming and going.

Head up some of the steep streets before turning to admire the views of the seafront below. You don’t need to wander far to get above the rooftops.

For some of the best views of Guernsey, walk up the hill to the Victoria Tower. This charming tower was built in 1848 in celebration of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s visit two years earlier.

How to do it: Whilst the tower is usually locked, you can borrow the key for 30 minutes from the nearby Guernsey Museum. It is free of charge, leaving plenty of time to climb the 99 steps and enjoy the vista.

3) Visit Hauteville House

Best for: Learning about a fascinating chapter in Guernsey’s cultural history.

Enjoying an elevated position above the busy central streets of St Peter Port, Hauteville House is one of Guernsey’s most popular tourist destinations. For 15 years, the house was home to Victor Hugo, the celebrated author of Les Misérables and other masterpieces.

Today, the house welcomes visitors to experience a guided tour of the house. The tour brings all five floors of the building to life, explaining the stories behind Hugo’s exile to Guernsey and examining how he made his mark on the property. The furnishings are opulent and, at times, eccentric – everything you would expect a 19th-century writer’s home to be.

How to do it: Hauteville House is open April to September from 10am to 4pm. You must book a guided tour to visit. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £10 for concessions. Under 18s enjoy free entry. Make sure to book in advance.

4) Explore Castle Cornet and watch the firing of the noonday gun

Best for: Exploring Guernsey’s most remarkable visitor site.

The gargantuan fortress of Castle Cor net is St Peter Port’s most impressive attraction. Built on a former tidal island in the 13th century, the castle has guarded St Peter Port’s harbour for more than 800 years.

Over the centuries, Castle Cornet has witnessed everything from the brutal English Civil War to the Napoleonic Wars. It even played a key role during the Nazi invasion of Guernsey during World War II, when it was occupied by a small group of German troops.

Today, visitors can explore the grounds and buildings of the former military stronghold. There are also four on-site museums that shine a light on the castle’s military history – including the excellent ‘Story of Castle Cornet’ museum near the ticket office.

If you have time, we recommend taking the free guided tour. The guides are passionate and knowledgeable, and a tour helps make the most of your visit. Ask at the reception to find out when the next tour is running – there is usually one at 10:30am.

Visiting Castle Cornet around midday? Don’t miss the firing of the Noonday Gun

Make sure to time your visit for the daily firing of the Noonday Gun, which takes place at 12pm. The crowd gathers in the courtyard, perhaps as early as 15 minutes before the event begins.

A few minutes before midday, music begins to play from the speakers. Two men in traditional 19th-century uniforms march towards the gun, carrying their equipment.

Remaining in character throughout, they quietly load the cannon. Warning the crowd of the imminent noise, the two men perform a safety check. Suddenly, the shout of “Fire!” rings out.

The cannon lets loose with a deafening bang, the sort of noise that shakes your bones. Smoke fills the air, and a ripple of applause breaks out before the crowd disperses.

How to do it: Castle Cornet is open March to October from 10am to 5pm from March to October. Tickets cost £11 for adults and £3 for children.

A day trip to Guernsey: Afternoon Activities

Once you’ve had your fill of St Peter Port, it’s time to hit the bus network. We suggest heading across the island to Vazon Bay before immersing yourself in the history of Guernsey’s military towers. If you have time, head back to St Peter Port and hop on a high-speed boat trip to see a unique perspective on the island.

1) Take a bus to Vazon Bay

Best for: Beautiful beaches.

Guernsey has an excellent bus network with which you can explore the island’s picture-perfect sandy beaches. One of the best stretches of coastline is around Vazon Bay , where a sweeping crescent of golden sand draws visitors in their droves on a sunny day.

Vazon Bay is also the gateway to a myriad of coastal walks, with a charming collection of footpaths snaking along the seafront. If you have time, we recommend a stroll from Vazon Bay to nearby Fort Hommet, which you can spot in the distance from the beach. Here, a Victorian-era fort protrudes into the sea on a rocky headland. It’s free to explore, although you can pay to visit a restored bunker. Note that the bunker currently only accepts cash payments.

When we visited, most of the bay was off-limits to the public. Battered racing cars and noisy motorcycles raced around a sandy circuit. We watched the spectacle for a while before continuing to a quieter corner of the beach. Sand racing takes place regularly on Vazon Bay – click here for the latest information.

How to do it: To reach Vazon Bay from St Peter Port, take the 42 or 60 bus from St Peter Port. The journey should take 20-25 minutes. For the latest timetables, check out the Guernsey Bus website.

2) Watch out for Guernsey’s Loophole Towers

Best for: More military history in some stunning settings.

Throughout Guernsey, a handful of circular stone towers line the rocky coastline. Among the regular fortresses and fortifications that can be found across the island, these towers – known as loophole towers – are probably our favourite feature.

15 of these impressive towers once stood across the island. Built by the British in anticipation of possible French attacks during the American Revolutionary War, 12 towers still survive, scattered across Guernsey’s coast.

As well as the British towers, there is also evidence of the brutal Nazi occupation during WWII. The monolithic Pleinmont Tower stands at the far west of Guernsey, built by the occupying forces as an observation post.

How to do it: Whilst most of the towers are locked, two of them – Petit Bôt and Rousse Tower – house small exhibitions. Pleinmont Tower is also open to the public – tickets cost £3 per adult, cash only.

3) Take a boat trip on the waters around Guernsey

Best for: An adrenaline boost on your day trip to Guernsey.

For those looking to finish their afternoon on a high, Island RIB Voyages offers a series of high-octane adventures around Guernsey’s coast.

Experiences include wildlife-focused tours to the nearby island of Herm, where the boat visits a seal colony whilst watching out for puffins and dolphins. Other options include a tour of Guernsey’s coast exploring the island’s myths and legends, a cruise to catch a unique view of the forts and towers and a journey to the dramatic caves on the island of Sark.

Unfortunately, our trip was cancelled due to high winds – but we’ll certainly be booking another trip next time we visit the island. We were very impressed with their communication on the day, with text messages and a follow-up phone call to inform us of the cancellation.

How to do it: The RIB tours start at Easter and run throughout the tourist season. Make sure to book in advance on their website.

A day trip to Guernsey: Evening Activities

Before you plan any evening activities in Guernsey, please note that the last ferry to Jersey normally leaves around 5.30pm. The timetables are subject to change, and there may occasionally be a later service. Please check the latest timetables before planning your trip.

1) Eat seafood at Le Nautique

Best for: Splashing out on a fancy meal.

For a special treat, book a table at seafood specialists Le Nautique . A stone’s throw from the water, this elegant restaurant is one of Guernsey’s premier dinner spots. The seafood platter is a firm favourite, whilst other classics include monkfish, sea bass and a range of lobster dishes.

For a pre or post-dinner drink, their classy bar serves a range of expertly-mixed cocktails and boasts an extensive wine menu.

Top tip: When making a reservation, ask for a window seat with views across the harbour.

Read next: The best things to do in Cromer on the North Norfolk coast.

2) Watch the sunset from Cobo Bay

Best for: An unforgettable sunset.

If you’re visiting Guernsey during the winter months, when the sun sets earlier, you may have enough time to stick around for a classic Channel Islands sunset before returning to Jersey.

Unsurprisingly, the island’s western shores are the most popular sunset spots. However, Cobo Bay – just down the road from Vazon Bay – faces west and is a splendid place to enjoy a classic Guernsey sunset.

Combine your sunset stroll with a visit to the Cobo Bay Hotel’s terrace for dinner or drinks, and you are on to a winner.

How to do it: There are regular buses from Cobo Bay to St Peter Port. The journey takes around 20 minutes. For the latest timetables, click here.

3) Go for drinks at Amigos

Best for: A final toast to your day on Guernsey.

To wrap up your day trip to Guernsey, head for a cocktail before returning to Jersey.

Amigos is one of the best bars in St Peter Port, with a lively atmosphere and a friendly welcome guaranteed. Popular with locals, it can get busy on a Friday or Saturday evening, but it benefits from being just a few minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal. Place your order with the friendly bartenders and raise a glass to a day well spent.

How to do it: Amigos is open seven days a week from 7.30pm to 12.45am (Monday to Friday). It opens at 7pm on Saturdays and 9pm on Sundays.

Read next: An afternoon exploring Jersey.

A day trip to Guernsey from Jersey – how to do it

Car ferry: Condor Ferries offers day trip packages from Jersey to Guernsey. Expect to pay around £19.50 each way for the car, and £15 per adult.

Foot passengers: You can also book onto a Condor Ferries day trip as a foot passenger. Expect to pay around £19 each way per adult. Sailings take 2 hours on the slower ferries and as little as 1 hour on a fast service.

Getting around Guernsey: The ferry will arrive into St Peter Port harbour, just a stone’s throw from the main streets. Guernsey’s main town is easily explored on foot. To get around the rest of the island, use Guernsey’s excellent local bus network.

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15 Best Places to Visit in New Jersey, According to Local Experts

Don’t miss these awesome spots in the Garden State.

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

aimintang/Getty Images

Bordered by New York to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Delaware to the south, and Pennsylvania to the west, New Jersey stretches 150 miles from top to bottom. And while some may joke that it’s just one big highway, residents and return visitors know of its many charms. The Garden State has something for just about every type of traveler (not to mention some great places to live ), whether you prefer the sandy beaches and Victorian homes of Cape May, the nostalgic fun of the Ocean City Boardwalk, or the live entertainment in Atlantic City.

We talked to insiders to get the scoop on the best places to visit in New Jersey.

Ocean City Boardwalk

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“The Ocean City Boardwalk is a famous promenade that’s been a source of entertainment for more than 100 years,” says Diane Wieland, chairperson of Southern Shore Region DMO. The wooden walkway has amusement rides for all ages, mini golf, arcade games, souvenir and sweet shops, and iconic boardwalk eats — hot dogs, burgers, fries, pizza, and soft serve.

Situated at the tip of the Cape May peninsula, Cape May boasts sandy beaches, historic trolley rides, a striped lighthouse, and Victorian architecture. More than just a summer destination, the charming Jersey Shore town gets into the spirit for all the seasons — especially the holidays with festive decorations, tree lighting ceremonies, and a vendor village at Congress Hall .

Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks

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For summertime fun, look no further than Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks. “Families can spend the entire day on more than 100 rides, splashing around the two water parks right on the beach, and lounging in private cabanas,” says Jeffrey Vasser, executive director, New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism.

Wildwoods Boardwalk

Courtesy of Wildwoods New Jersey

In a state known for its seaside amusements , the Wildwoods Boardwalk stands out from the pack. Composed of more than 70,000 wooden planks, the 38-block oceanfront stretch draws crowds with everything from amusement piers featuring rides and games galore to water parks to classic eateries and shopping.

Wildwood’s Doo Wop Motel District

“Walking around Wildwood’s Doo Wop Motel District is like being transported to the 1950s,” says Vasser. Dotted along the two-mile stretch between Atlantic and Ocean Avenues sits the largest concentration of mid-century motels in the country. “It’s really neat to see all the neon signs and retro details.”

American Dream

Courtesy of American Dream

“ American Dream is, quite literally, an indoor vacation one-stop shop that’s open year-round,” raves Vasser. From the Nickelodeon Universe theme park and the DreamWorks Water Park to skiing at Big Snow and surf lessons at Skudin Surf to the hundreds of stores (​​it’s the second-largest shopping mall in the United States) and restaurants, it provides endless fun for the whole family.

Lambertville

Moelyn Photos/Getty Images

Founded in 1705, Lambertville brings history to life through its well-preserved federal townhouses, Victorian homes, antique shops, restored 19th-century train depot, and the James Wilson Marshall House . “The charming town also supplies family-owned wineries and photogenic vantage points such as Goat Hill Overlook,” adds Vasser.

Beneduce Vineyards

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"Most people don’t realize New Jersey is home to more than 50 wineries,” says Vasser. “One of my favorites, Beneduce Vineyards , has great wine and fun year-round events such as live music and food trucks on Saturdays.” Plus, it’s located less than 75 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia.

Grounds for Sculpture

Courtesy of Grounds for Sculpture

Located on the former site of Trenton Speedway, Grounds for Sculpture is a 42-acre sculpture park and museum. Visitors can spend the day ogling art and grabbing a bite at the restaurant. The Hamilton cultural institution also hosts special events such as after-dark light and sound experiences in partnership with Klip Collective and the upcoming Def Poetry Jam Reunion .

Atlantic City

Approximately two hours from the Big Apple, Atlantic City — the East Coast's answer to Las Vegas — dazzles visitors with its casinos, live entertainment, glitzy hotels, and big-name restaurants like Nobu . While Steel Pier offers games, entertainment, boardwalk fare, an observation wheel with sweeping views, and the only helicopter ride at the Jersey Shore.

Nestled along the banks of the Delaware River in Hunterdon County, Frenchtown is a vibrant community with plenty of Victorian architecture, art, and culture to keep travelers entertained year-round. Vasser suggests visiting over Labor Day weekend because that's when Frenchtown Riverfest takes place. “There are all kinds of street fair activities along the river,” he says.

Cape May County Park & Zoo

Joseph Hulik / FOAP/Getty Images

Located in the Cape May Court House section of Middle Township, the Cape May County Park & Zoo houses more than 550 different animals and is free to the public. There are also awesome playgrounds for kids of all ages just outside the entrance. "It's truly one of the best-kept secrets in the area," says Wieland.

Asbury Park

Jon Bilous/Getty Images

Over the last decade, Asbury Park has become a creative hub and music mecca. There are so many venues to catch a show. Wieland recommends The Stone Pony , which is best known for launching the career of Bruce Springsteen. Asbury Lanes combines bowling, dining, and live entertainment. To admire eye-catching artwork, head to the boardwalk. The Wooden Walls Project collaborates with artists to turn blank walls into colorful photo ops.

Adventure Aquarium

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Adventure Aquarium protects more than 8,500 aquatic species, including penguins, turtles, stingrays, and the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast. It also gives visitors the chance to interact with hundreds of sea creatures at the touch tanks. “It’s a favorite for kids of all ages, especially if you’re looking for an indoor activity,” says Wieland.

Long Beach Island

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With 130 miles of Atlantic Ocean real estate, there’s no shortage of beautiful beaches in the Garden State . But the shores of Long Beach Island are particularly lovely. Besides its scenic Atlantic Ocean coastline, vacationers go for the water sports, charming towns like Barnegat Light, and laid-back lifestyle.

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Release: gottheimer leads official house intelligence committee trip to qatar and egypt, meets with senior officials negotiating release of the hostages. highlights importance of bringing hostages home, providing humanitarian aid, crushing hamas..

NORTH JERSEY —  U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer returned from Qatar and Egypt after leading an official House Select Committee on Intelligence trip. 

While there, Gottheimer met the American ​​Embassy teams and lead negotiators from Qatar and Egypt who have been working day and night to help resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict. During his meetings, Gottheimer stressed how critical it is to bring the hostages home, get more humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to crush Hamas, the terrorist organization that murdered, raped, burned alive, and tortured more than 1,200 innocent men, women, children, and elderly on October 7 — including 40 Americans.

Gottheimer participated in discussions with senior level officials regarding:

• The ongoing efforts to bring every single hostage home safely and quickly.
• How critical it is to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza and to crush Hamas.
• The status of the negotiations, and what it will take to get to a temporary pause and ultimate end to the conflict.
• How the Qataris are particularly positioned, and have a deep responsibility, to get Hamas to free more hostages like Edan Alexander.
• The need to not let negotiations stall for another 180 days. 
• Ways to get more humanitarian aid faster into Gaza.
• The need to crush Hamas and the destabilizing threat that Hamas poses.
• What the future of Israel and the region might look like after October 7.
• How we can combat the threat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, so that Israelis can return home in the North.
• The Houthis, who have targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, which directly impacts the entire world.

“In Egypt and Qatar, I spent time with the lead negotiators who have been working day and night to bring hostages home. While there, I stressed over and over just how critical it is to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza and to crush Hamas, the terrorist organization that murdered, raped, burned alive, and tortured more than 1,200 innocent men, women, children, and elderly on October 7 – including 40 Americans.”  said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a Member of the House Intelligence Committee.  “As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, this trip was vital to understanding the situation on the ground and reaffirming the United States’ key objectives for the region. We can and must do more, every day, until this war comes to a close.”  

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Tours NJ State Police Real Time Crime Center Helps Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Crack Down on Auto Theft Above: Gottheimer touring the New Jersey State Police Real Time Crime Center. NEWARK, NJ — Today, April 5, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer announced new legislation, the Combatting Auto Robbery at the Source — or CARS Act — to re-establish […]

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, what you need to know to watch monday's total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A stunning celestial event is visible across the country Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun: a total solar eclipse. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.

Traveling for totality? Skip ahead.

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

When is the eclipse?

April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse that crosses from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States.

What is totality and why it matters

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

Check out this table for when the partial eclipse and totality are visible in each region or check by zip code here.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States, so even if you're not directly in the path, you should be able to see something special, weather permitting.

Unable to get to totality? We'll be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you can't see it in real time.

Where to see totality?

More than 30 million people live in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, and many more in nearby areas.

Here's what we know about Monday's weather forecast.

Why totality matters

As NPR's Neil Greenfieldboyce explains , "During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically . The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colors appear around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere."

Eclipse Science

For april's eclipse, going from 'meh' to 'omg' might mean just driving across town.

A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.

How to watch safely

If you plan to look directly at the eclipse (partial or totality), you're going to need eclipse glasses handy because looking directly at the sun without proper protection ( traditional sunglasses don't count! ) can be harmful to your eyes.

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

As NPR's Joe Hernandez explains, "Proper eye protection must be worn throughout a total solar eclipse — except for the roughly 3 1/2 to 4 minutes when the moon fully obscures the sun, a brief period known as 'totality.' (You will need to take your glasses off during totality to actually see it.)"

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house ( like some of us did back in 2017!) More on that here.

Traveling for totality?

The celestial event is driving a ton of domestic travel to the path of totality. If you're headed out of town to view the eclipse, here are some NPR Network resources for areas in the path of totality:

Texas The path of totality crosses through the Lone Star State, with some areas expecting a possible influx of visitors in the hundreds of thousands to catch prime viewing. Our member stations across the state have gathered local resources to help you navigate the region and the eclipse!

• San Antonio: Check out the latest from Texas Public Radio
• Dallas: Explore KERA's coverage for the latest
• Austin: Head to KUT for the best local resources

Arkansas The eclipse will be cutting through the state, putting Little Rock in the path of totality. Check out Little Rock Public Radio for local resources.

The southwestern edge of the state will be well-positioned to witness the total solar eclipse this year. Kentucky Public Radio is covering the eclipse throughout the region, from Kentuckiana eclipse mania to the University of Louisville's free class about the celestial event. Keep an eye on WKMS for the latest local updates.

Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. Head to St. Louis Public Radio for local coverage and resources. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year's eclipse . For resources from across the state, check out Illinois Public Media .

Indiana A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.

• Bloomington: Check out Indiana Public Media
• Indianapolis: Head to WFYI for the latest
• Fort Wayne: Just north of the path of totality, WBOI has resources for the Allen County area

Ohio The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year's path of totality, plunging a number of the state's most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.

• Cleveland: Head to Ideastream Public Media for the latest.
• Columbus: With the capital city just south of totality, head to WOSU for regional resources.
• Cincinnati: Totality will just miss the border town. Here are some tips from WVXU on how to navigate the eclipse in the region.

Pennsylvania Only the northwestern-most corner of the state will catch totality, with views from the lakeside in Erie being particularly well-positioned for a stunning viewing experience. WESA has more from across the region.

Plan to watch the eclipse from a wild mountain summit? Be ready for harsh conditions

New York Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh will fall under the path of totality on Monday. If you're planning to travel to the region for the best views, here are some local resources to stay safe and informed:

• Buffalo: Head to WBFO for the latest
• Syracuse: WAER has more on plans in the Salt City
• North Country: NCPR has the latest from across the region, as well as information on local viewing events to check out

Vermont The Green Mountain State will see totality across its most populous region, including Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the Northeast Kingdom on the Canadian border. Vermont Public has everything you need to know to navigate your time in the region to enjoy the eclipse safely. New Hampshire The northernmost region of the Granite State will be in the path of totality, providing prime viewing to those in Coos County. NHPR has info on local events, travel updates as well as special coverage with New Hampshire Public Television. Maine The last state in the path of totality in the U.S., much of Northern Maine will be positioned for prime viewing. The rural region is preparing for an influx of visitors, and safety officials are encouraging visitors and locals alike to be prepared. Maine Public will be covering the eclipse and has everything you need to know to navigate the region safely.

How to document the eclipse safely

With the ease of cell photography , it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.

As NPR's Scott Neuman explains , "For starters, you'll need to wear eclipse glasses or similar protective eye gear while aiming your camera or even just observing the eclipse."

Feeling ambitious? Here are a few more tips.

Or if you're not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year's eclipse.

As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit , viewing totality "[is] like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

• Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
• Want to see how a solar eclipse alters colors? Wear red and green on Monday
• Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
• Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time. NPR's Emily Alfin Johnson compiled these resources.

• 2024 eclipse

When is the next total solar eclipse in the US after 2024 and what is its path? What to know

The highly anticipated 2024 total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , giving millions of sky-gazers the chance to see a rare cosmic event that won't be viewable again for 20 years.

The eclipse's  path of totality  will travel over a portion of northern Mexico before entering the U.S. It then it will cross 13 states  from Texas to Maine, where the spectacle is expected to attract huge crowds.

If you aren't lucky enough to be in the path of totality this time around, you will have another chance - you'll just have to wait until the 2040s.

Here's what we know about the next total solar eclipse to cross over the U.S.

Eclipse playlist: Fans return to Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' ahead of total solar eclipse

When is the next total solar eclipse visible from the U.S.?

It will be 20 years before there's a chance to  witness a total solar eclipse  in the United States again.

According to NASA, after Monday's total solar  eclipse , the next one viewable from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

2044 total solar eclipse path of totality

Unfortunately, the 2044 total  solar eclipse  won't have the broad reach across the U.S. as the 2024 eclipse.

The path of totality during the 2044 eclipse will only touch three states, according to the Planetary Society, a nonprofit involved in research, public outreach, and political space advocacy.

The eclipse will begin in Greenland, sweep through Canada and end around sunset in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Pets and the eclipse: Will my pets be safe during the April 2024 solar eclipse? What experts say.

2045 solar eclipse

While the 2044 total eclipse will only touch three states, a 2045 eclipse will have a more robust path across the U.S.

Expected to occur on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2045, this solar eclipse will trace a path of totality over California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

A partial solar eclipse will also be viewable in 35 other states, according to National Eclipse.com

What is a total solar eclipse?

Any celestial object like a moon or a planet that passes between two other bodies can create  an eclipse  by obscuring the view of objects like the sun.

In the event of a solar eclipse, the moon comes in between the Earth and the sun, blocking its light from reaching a small part of our planet. Partial eclipses, when some part of the sun remains visible, are the most common, making total eclipses a rare sight to behold.

Total eclipses can lead to a period of darkness lasting for several minutes, during which time nocturnal animals stir while confused birds and insects may fall silent, NASA says.

When a solar eclipse reaches totality, people are able to see the sun’s outer atmosphere called the corona, which is usually obscured by the sun's bright surface. This offers scientists an uncommon opportunity  to study the corona .

Totality also offers spectators a chance to gaze upon the spectacular sight with the naked eye, though  proper  safety  glasses  are still required for the rest of the time.

What states are on the 2024 eclipse path of totality?

Mexico's Pacific coast will be the first location in continental North America to experience totality, which is expected to occur at about 11:07 a.m. PDT,  according to NASA .

As the moon's shadow will northeast, totality in the U.S. will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT. The path will then cut diagonally across the country, traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

The eclipse's path is expected to end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT before visiting the maritime provinces of Canada, according to estimates.

See  interactive maps of the 2024 path .

Contributing: Doyle Rice, Ramon Padilla & Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY

Watch CBS News

What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

More from CBS News

How often do total solar eclipses happen?

When was the last total solar eclipse in the U.S.? Revisiting 2017

When is the next total solar eclipse in the U.S.?

See the list of notable total solar eclipses in the U.S. since 1778

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Day Trips from Jersey to Sark

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Visit the beautiful Island of Sark with Manche Iles. In just over an hour, you could be exploring one of the few remaining places in the world where cars are not allowed.

Hop aboard the Foot passenger only ferry from St Helier Port, Jersey, where you could spend up to 7 hours ashore, depending on the service chosen. Duty free services are available on board and you can even pre-book your Duty free products directly on the Manche Iles website

What’s included

• High-speed day return

• 4 hours ashore

• Onboard duty free shop

Things to do on a day trip from Jersey to Sark

Travelling on a say trip from Jersey to Sark on ‘Manche Iles’ means you could have up to 7 hours ashore to spend discovering this beautiful island.

Take in the stunning scenery during a walk or cycle along La Coupee or Dixcart Bay or dine the afternoon away at one of the many eateries available on the island.  Hire bicycles on arrival to ensure you can take in most of what the island has to offer or take a horse drawn carriage tour for a relaxing and slower paced way to explore. Manche Iles FAQs

Q:  What are the check-in times for travelling on Manche Iles?

A: Passengers are advised to arrive at the port 90 minutes before departure.

Q:  Is this operated by Condor crew?

A: No. Condor Ferries will be selling Manche Iles tickets only. Sailings are operated by Manche Iles.

Q:  Will I receive a seat number for a Manche Iles sailing?

A: No. All Manche Iles seats are unallocated. This means you can choose where you wish to sit when you board, without having a seat pre-assigned to you.

Q:  What are the onboard facilities on Manche Iles?

A: A range of hot drinks, cold drinks, sweets, sandwiches and snacks is available, together with breakfast and lunch options.

Q:  Do Manche Iles allow Pets?

A: No. Pets are not permitted on board other than assistance/guide dogs.

Q:  Do Manche Iles carry cars or pushbikes?

A: No. Manche Iles operate a foot passenger only service.

Plan your journey

Going on a ferry trip to Guernsey from St Helier in Jersey means you’ll be travelling from Jersey port. Click here for all the information you need – from its post code to ways of getting there.

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