Channel Island Cruise

The Channel Islands provide some challenging and very tidal pilotage along with beautiful coves and bays and scenery ashore.  We take Nomad over there once a year, here’s a brief guide to our usual seven day itinerary.

From the Solent, I usualy cross to Cherbourg and pick up some good value wine, cheese and meats ready for the islands…

Timing is crucial for making progress west from Cherbourg and then for tackling Alderney race.  Often we try to get the stream to work for us and take us south to the first island stop of  Sark.

Sark

This imposing fortress island with steep cliffs on all sides has a long and interesting history. There are a few places to anchor but a steep climb up steps or path is required from almost all to gain access to the wild flower meadows and lanes that populate the plateau on top.  There are lots of anchorages, but I prefer to take the moorings at Harve Gosselin if going ahore for an extended period.  There are about a dozen visitors bouys laid in good depth – but do check the fall of tide if you’re close in.  Steep steps and a path lead you to the momument at the top and some spectacular views.

The paths and lanes to the village are about a 20 minute walk.  There you will find a couple of pubs and 2 or 3 places to hire bikes ( this is a great way to see the rest of the island – but is worth booking in advance – Avenue Cycles : +44 (0)1481 832102).   Cycle to Little Sark and try the food at La Sablonnerie – it’s a little bit pricey, but great food served in a beautiful garden.

From Sark,  I often head to Guernsey and St Peter Port  to refill the water tanks,  re-stock and get a decent shower !

Guernsey

The inner Victoria Marina gets full pretty quick in the summer,  so if you want to stay there,  time it so that you arrive just in time to get over the sill which dries 4.2m .  If  it’s full you can stay on the pontoons outside which are not attached to shore.  If you intend to use these near LW,  best to approach by going  round to the east, then north of the life boat from the green buoy to find deeper water.  Alternative is QEII Marina (visitors’ pontoon here is a bit awkward) which also has drying sill or Beaucette which is quite spectacular and has planty of depth!   Loads of good places to eat ashore in St Peter Port – try  La Perla Restaurnant on the front – great value , cheap and tasty and a good three course deal !

From Guernsey and exciting bit of pilotage to Herm – ( pick up a disposable BBQ before you leave Guernsey )

Herm

From Guernsey try taking the Corbette Passage and Persee Pass between Herm and Jethou.  Plan this in advance and watch out for strong tides carrying you across at the Corbette end.

Herm is largely uninhabited and has two of the best beaches on the the islands – Shell Beach and Belviour Bay.  Although busy with day trippers during the day, they all leave by 5pm with the last ferry back to Guernsey and then, if at anchor , you can have the place to yourself.  A 10 minute walk over the hill takes you to the small hamlet – a pub, shop and reataurant.  But best to stay on the beach and have a BBQ.

Alderney

Everyone heads to Braye Harbour , good shelter on the laid moorings but can be a bit rock and roll if you choose to anchor of the beach.  The beach is beautiful (when the sun shines)   A good water taxi operates and gives quick access to the shore.  If you can, visit during Alderney Week  for festivities and entertainment such as music in the quarry and the Birdman of Bray.  Worth the walk up the hill to the village proper and a not too challenging pub crawl

Last time we left here for a night sail home to the backdrop of fireworks from the end of festival celebrations.

 

There are often places available on this trip contact jim@nomadsailing.co.uk for more info or visit the Nomad Website