Jersey's best beaches for families

The Merton has long been Jersey's go-to hotel for young families. One of the most frequent questions we get asked is: which are the best beaches for a family day out? Luckily our team knows the island inside out.

If you're thinking of bringing the family to Jersey during summer, you should try and pay a visit to at least one of these beautiful family-friendly beaches.

St Brelade's Bay - the best for activities

St Brelade's Bay is one of Jersey's most famous beaches. It's golden sand and spectacular scenery has graced the face of countless postcards. For families, it's the great facilities and endless activities that make it so attractive.

Getting the whole crew to St Brelade's Bay is easy. If you're driving there's a large public carpark just across the road from the beach. In the height of summer it can fill quickly, so our advice is to get there early and plan for a whole day. The number 12A and number 14 buses both stop at St Brelade's Bay, and on sunny days the 14 is replaced with the open-top double decker Beach Bus!

Once there you'll have numerous cafés and restaurants to choose from, as well as a couple of beach shops.

Two water sport concessions can be found at opposite ends of the beach. If you or the kids need to burn some energy, try your hand at paddle boarding, kayaking or coasteering. And if you're looking for a dose of holiday adrenaline, book a banana boat, donut or speedboat ride.

Royal Bay of Grouville - the best to escape a crowd

Just 15 minutes away from the Merton Hotel by car, the Royal Bay of Grouville - or Long Beach as it's known to locals - offers wide open space, beautiful white sand and safe swimming at high tide. On a clear day visitors get panoramic views of the French coast.

Even on busy days you'll find plenty of space to build sand castles and break out the beach games.

For something to eat, head to one of the beach cafés and kiosks on the beach or just behind. And don't miss one of Jersey's best ice cream vans just next to the car park! If you're looking for a more formal meal, Gorey is packed full of great restaurants, from pub grub to fine seafood.

The Royal Bay of Grouville has no lifeguard cover, so please be careful when swimming and always check the tides before heading out.

Havre des Pas - the best for a quick trip

If you're looking for a quick trip without too much travel, Havre des Pas is the closest beach to the Merton, just a 5 to 10 minute walk away.

The Victorian bathing pool,which fills with water on each high tide, is Havre Des Pas' main attraction. It provides a safe and accessible swimming spot for little ones, whatever the tide.

Surrounding the pool is the art deco Lido, which is home to a popular beach kiosk, café and bar. The sea wall is also lined with a number of good restaurants and cafés.

Havre des Pas has everything a family needs to enjoy a sunny day beside the sea.

Plemont - the best for adventurous families

If you're looking for a memorable beach adventure, look no further than Plemont. Nestled on the north west tip of Jersey, Plemont's caves, cliffs and dramatic scenery provides a memorable day out for intrepid families.

A trip to Plemont does require some planning. Firstly, the beach is only accessible from mid to low tide. You can check the local tides here.

Secondly, a fairly long wooden staircase provides the only access to the beach, so we recommend leaving the beach lounger at home and packing light.

When you finally make it to the beach, you'll be rewarded with beautiful golden sand, clear seas and a series of amazing caves and tidal pools to keep the kids occupied. We promise it is well worth the effort!

The number 8 bus stops at Plemont. Don't let the hour long journey put you off - you'll see some beautiful countryside on the way, and as soon as your feet hit the sand you'll realise why the locals love Plemont so much.

More advice and recommendations

If you need any advice on family friendly things to do, check out the rest of our blog posts. If you're lucky enough to be staying with us, don't hesitate to ask a member of staff at reception.

Images courtesy of Visit Jersey

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