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Sport & Activities
Outdoor pursuits: The best way of seeing the island is to walk or cycle round it. The north has the highest land and the most rugged scenery, but gentler walks are possible inland and in the south. One suggested route follows the line of the old Jersey Railway – now a traffic-free public path – which runs from St Aubin to the lighthouse at Corbière on the island’s southwestern tip. Jersey’s network of ‘Green Lanes’, which have a 24kph (15mph) speed limit, are ideal for cyclists; free organised cycling and walking tours are available.
Swimming: This is a popular leisure activity, and there are many bays and beaches offering excellent bathing (for information on the best beaches, see the Resorts & Excursions section). Bathers should beware, however, as Jersey has some of the largest tidal movements in the world, with as much as 12m (40ft) between low and high tide, causing very strong currents. Some beaches are patrolled by beach guards and have safe areas marked with flags. On the western coast (St Ouen’s Bay), the strong waves can also prove hazardous. There are open-air swimming pools at Havre des Pas and West Park, and two indoor pools, one at Fort Regent and one at Quennevais, St Brelade.
Watersports: Waters around the island support a rich and varied marine life and there are good facilities for divers. Boat dives, skindiving and equipment hire are available from specialist operators. The best area for surfing is around St Ouen’s Bay. There are surfing schools and equipment-hire facilities. Windsurfing races are held during the summer and there are several windsurfing schools. Water-skiing facilities and tuition are available. There are two sailing clubs on the island: The Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club, St Aubin, and The St Helier Yacht Club. There is also a canoeing school in St Helier. Angling is very popular, particularly during the summer, and there are a number of sea-fishing clubs which run shore and boat festivals during the summer. Boating and fishing trips operate from St Helier. Warning: Fishing from rocks should not be attempted until the visitor has obtained information about local tides, currents and weather conditions. Fly fishing is available at the Val de la Mar and the St Catherine Reservoirs; temporary membership can be obtained.
Other: Jersey has two 18-hole golf courses open to visitors who are members of a recognised golf club. Both courses are well known throughout the golfing world: La Moye in St Brelade and Royal Jersey in Grouville (website: www.royaljersey.com); both courses require proof of handicap or membership. Golfers who do not belong to a club can play at the 18-hole Les Mielles or Les Ormes courses and either of the two 9-hole courses at Wheatlands or Greve D’Azette, where no handicap is needed. For further details, contact Jersey Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). Several schools provide horseriding tuition and escorted hacks. Temporary membership of the island’s two squash clubs is available; contact Jersey Squash Club and the Lido Squash and Social Club. There are also courts at the Fort Regent Leisure Centre. Pottery and other crafts are popular in Jersey and courses (for pottery, candle-making or leatherwork) are available.
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