Best beaches in Jersey

For the quintessential Jersey beach experience, come to St Brelade's Bay. From a first glimpse, it's easy to see why it's the island's most popular beach (and the star of many a holiday postcard). Located on the south coast, a little north and west of St Helier, this sweeping bay, complete with palm trees, forms something of a natural amphitheatre. This happy accident of geology makes the bay's golden sands perfect for soaking up the sun throughout the year. The shallow waters are good for swimming, especially for young children. Meanwhile, a whole range of water sports, including paddleboarding, caters to the more active. A selection of cafes and restaurants along the sea front ensures you'll have little cause to leave this lovely bay, although the nearby Fisherman's Chapel is worth visiting.

You'll find this beautiful cove tucked away on Jersey's northern coastline. The sandy beach, with its large rocks and busy rock pools is excellent for sunbathing and rock pooling but it's the network of caves that's the main attraction. You'll need to be there at low tide to explore them and, indeed, to enjoy the beach itself. You can also swim here, just as the Victorians once did, and you'll find lifeguards on duty between mid-May and mid-September. Plémont Beach is also fabulous for photographers thanks to its large natural waterfall. Head inside the cave behind it for the best photographs. The cafe next to the car park at the top of the cliffs is a popular hang-out for locals, with a reputation for really good milkshakes.

This long, scenic west coast beach is a popular spot all year round. Surfers love it for its waves, especially during the spring. If you join them, you'll want to watch for the occasional rip tide and take advice from the lifeguards about where and when to get into the water. There's also a surf school, which is particularly good if you're new to the sport. Overall, especially given its size, the beach is one of the least built-up in Jersey. However, a number of excellent ice cream stands, cafes and other eateries ensure you won't go hungry if you haven't made your own sandwiches. St Ouen's Bay is also excellent for barbecues, especially at sunset.

An attractive combination of sand and shingle, Anne Port Beach on Jersey's east coast is also a fantastic spot for swimming. If you go at mid or low tide, you'll find gently shelving soft sand to make the walk into the water a comfortable one. Swimmers come here throughout the year, although you might want a wetsuit if you fancy joining them during one of the colder months. Early morning is the most popular time for a swim here thanks to the outstanding sunrises. The calm waters are also excellent for paddle boarding and kayaking, especially if you're just getting accustomed to either activity. If, on the other hand, you're a more experienced paddler, why not paddle out to take a closer look at the outside of Mont Orgueil Castle!

Another north coast gem, this yellow beach is backed by gorgeously green hillsides – and if you have a waterproof camera, the combination makes for some great photographs. Greve de Lecq is particularly good for swimming as, unlike many of the island's southern beaches, the tide never retreats too far from the shore. A couple of beach cafes and pubs offer refreshment and inducement – if needed – to tarry longer. Nearby, Greve de Lecq barracks offers a window into the island's past. Built to house troops defending Jersey from invading French forces, the barracks themselves are not open to the public. However, the parade ground is accessible and is well worth a wander.

Enclosed by massive granite cliffs, Beauport Bay, on the south coast, is another of the island's famous sun traps. However, unlike, say, the much larger St Brelade's Bay, you'll need to know where you're going in order to find it. This is mostly a locals' beach and, when the sun's out, those locals tend to arrive early. To join them, you'll need to clamber down the cliffside steps from the small car park (note that the beach is at least 15 minutes walk from the nearest bus stop). You'll also need to pack your own food as this is one beach that doesn't have nearby cafes. However, it's this relative isolation that helps make the turquoise waters of Beauport Bay such a delight.

If you like snorkelling, you can't do better than Portelet Beach on the south coast. In the centre of the bay, you'll spot a little grassy mound, too small to be called an island. This is L’Île au Guerdain, or Janvrin's Tomb (after the sea captain who's buried there). It's perfect for strong swimmers to swim or snorkel around, or you can walk across at low tide. Access to the beach is via more than 200 stone steps cut into the cliff face but the views and relative solitude the beach offers make it well worth the effort. During the summer, the Portelet Bay Cafe provides refreshments, including excellent wood-fired pizza. Out of season, there's still the Portelet Inn at the top of the cliffs.

Known as Long Beach by locals, Grouville Bay encompasses most of Jersey's south-eastern coast. It runs from the famous Mont Orgueil Castle in Gorey harbour to the smaller fishing harbour of La Rocque. It's properly known as the Royal Bay of Grouville, a title bestowed by Queen Victoria who loved this stretch of sand. Today's visitors love it just as much but, despite its popularity, its size means it doesn't feel crowded. The Gorey Water Sports Centre hires out sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as the more obvious paddle boards and kayaks. A wide selection of ice cream vans and snack kiosks cater to sunbathers and paddle boarders reluctant to venture far from the beach. A little further away, in Gorey harbour itself, a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs provide further refreshments.

Stretching west from St Helier to St Aubin's village, St Aubin's Bay on the southern coast is another of the sandy beaches that Jersey does so well. Its size and location help ensure its popularity while its orientation pretty guarantees it gets whatever sunshine is available throughout the whole day. It's also a sheltered spot with some stunning views. If you're feeling adventurous, why not experience those views from a jet ski in the bay or go wakeboarding courtesy of the Jersey Sea Sport Centre! Alternatively, enjoy a meal with a view at the likes of Mark Jordan on the Beach. St Aubin is a popular place to stay, with a great range of accommodation and plenty to do both on and off the beach.

The island's most southerly point, Green Island Beach is named for the grassy islet that lies just offshore. You can walk there at low tide or, if you have young children or are keen on marine life yourself, this is also a great time to explore the many rock pools. However, keep an eye out for the tide as it moves fast here. The yellow sands are popular with sunbathers and swimmers, who can get to the beach either by car or via the number 1 bus. If you're coming by bus, there's no need to lug vast amounts of food with you as a beach cafe and seafood restaurant cater to most tastes.

The upper part of this east coast beach is mostly shingle but, towards the shore, you'll find that the shingle gives way to sand that's excellent for adventures with buckets and spades. Archirondel's breakwater ensures that the waters close to shore are generally calm and clear, and perfect for paddling. Many locals swim here, diving from the breakwater. If you join them, make sure you watch out for hidden rocks below the surface. Even if it's your first visit to Archirondel, you might well recognise it from the distinctive red and white round tower that overlooks the beach and makes it an Instagram favourite. There are two small car parks but Archirondel is also on a bus route so it's a good beach to head for if you're without a car. The popular Driftwood Cafe serves food and refreshments all year round although evening meals are restricted to the summer months. 

Not to be confused with the much grander beach of the same name on the neighbouring island of Guernsey, Jersey's Petit Port Beach is a small rocky cove. If a (relatively rare) westerly wind is blowing, the cove can feel exposed and you'll want to be wrapped up warm. However, cliffs deflect winds blowing from other directions and, overall, this is a sheltered and often sunny spot. It's popular with kayakers, especially in the summer months. However, come at other times of the year and you might be lucky enough to have this little bay to yourself. You'll find it on the bus route between La Corbière and La Pulente.