Best day trips from Guernsey: Herm, Sark, Alderney and Lihou
What are the best day trips from Guernsey?
The four best day trips from Guernsey are: Herm (20-minute catamaran, car-free, Shell Beach), Sark (50-minute ferry, car-free, medieval atmosphere), Alderney (25-minute Aurigny flight, WWII forts and puffins), and Lihou Island (tidal causeway walk from L'Eree, spring tides only).
Guernsey’s position in the British Channel Islands
Guernsey sits at the heart of the British Channel Islands — an archipelago in the English Channel between southern England and the Normandy coast of France, distinct from the Channel Islands National Park in California. Its central position makes it the natural hub for exploring the three smaller dependencies nearby: Herm (owned by the States of Guernsey), Sark (a Crown Dependency with its own feudal heritage), and Alderney (a separate bailiwick to the north).
All three can be reached as day trips. A fourth option — Lihou Island, a tiny tidal island accessible by causeway from the west coast of Guernsey — is unique in requiring no boat at all.
This guide covers the logistics, seasonal caveats, and what to expect on each day trip.
Herm: the easiest and most family-friendly day trip
Distance: 3 km east of Guernsey
Transport: Travel Trident catamaran from Crown Pier, St Peter Port
Crossing time: 20 minutes
Return fare: Approximately £15 adults, £8 children (check current prices)
Best for: Families, beach lovers, walkers, anyone who wants a quick escape
Season: Year-round, but reduced winter sailings (November to March)
Herm is 1.5 km wide and 3 km long. There are no cars, no motorcycles, and no permanent residents beyond the island’s small farming and hospitality community. The atmosphere is one of complete quiet broken only by seabirds and the sound of the sea.
What to do on Herm
Shell Beach: The island’s iconic north-facing beach, covered entirely with tiny shells and sea glass rather than sand. The water is exceptionally clear, the gradient shallow, and at low tide the beach extends significantly. This is one of the finest beaches in the British Channel Islands — not for its waves but for its beauty and calm.
The perimeter walk: The island path circuit is 3.5 km and takes 1.5-2 hours at a relaxed pace. It passes Shell Beach, the dramatic south coast cliffs (which have excellent views across to Sark), and Belvoir Bay on the southeast coast — a small, sheltered cove popular with local sailors. The north headland has views across to the Vale peninsula of Guernsey.
Belvoir Bay: A second beach on the south coast, smaller than Shell Beach but sheltered from the north wind and excellent for swimming in calm conditions.
The Mermaid Tavern: The island’s pub and restaurant, near the harbour. Serves lunch and light meals in a building that has been the social centre of the island for centuries. Arrive early in peak season — it fills up by 12:30.
The Manor Village: The cluster of farm buildings, chapel, and estate office at the island’s heart. The Herm Island shop sells produce, gifts, and basic provisions.
Herm logistics
Travel Trident runs roughly hourly sailings in summer and 3-4 per day in shoulder season. The last return is typically around 17:30-18:00, with an early departure from Guernsey at 08:00 if you want a full day. In July and August, book sailings in advance — they fill.
Winter note: Herm’s hotel and most facilities close from November to March. Travel Trident runs a minimal winter schedule. The island is accessible but largely empty in winter.
Browse Herm activities and toursSark: medieval atmosphere and dark skies
Distance: 40 km southeast of Guernsey
Transport: Sark Shipping Company from St Peter Port
Crossing time: Approximately 50 minutes (some sailings call at Herm)
Return fare: Approximately £28 adults, £15 children (check current prices)
Best for: Walkers, cyclists, history enthusiasts, stargazers, those seeking genuine escape
Season: Daily sailings May to October; reduced (2-3 per week) November to April
Sark is one of the most unusual places in the British Isles. It is technically the last feudal territory in Europe, governed by the Seigneur (a hereditary title) and a democratically elected Chief Pleas. Motor vehicles are banned entirely — the only motorised transport is a small fleet of tractors used for agricultural and cargo purposes. Visitors travel by foot or bicycle.
What to do in Sark
La Coupée: The extraordinary narrow ridge connecting Big Sark and Little Sark — an isthmus barely two metres wide and 80 metres above sea level on both sides. Walking across it on a clear day is a genuinely memorable experience. On a windy day it is dramatic in a different way.
Dixcart Bay: Sark’s most popular beach, reached via a steep path from Sark village. Clear water, dramatic surrounding cliffs, good swimming. Accessible at low tide only — the sand disappears at high water.
The cliff paths: Sark has about 25 km of footpaths covering most of the island. The path from Sark village to La Coupée via the west coast cliffs takes about 1.5 hours and covers the island’s finest scenery. The east coast path to Brecqhou viewpoint is shorter and less strenuous.
Sark village: A single main street (the Avenue) with a cluster of shops, a café, a pub (The Bel Air), and the island’s small museum. Hire bicycles at the top of the harbour hill — approximately £15 per day.
Dark sky: Sark was designated the world’s first Dark Sky Island by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2011. There are no public streetlights anywhere on the island. On a clear night, the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye from anywhere on Sark. If you are visiting for astronomy, an evening sailing with an overnight stay is significantly better than a day trip.
Sark logistics
The Sark Shipping Company runs morning sailings (typically 10:00 or 10:30) from St Peter Port with afternoon returns (15:30 or 16:00). The timetable varies by season — check the current schedule and book in advance for summer sailings.
Allow 30 minutes to climb the steep hill from Sark Harbour to the village before your day begins. If you want to cover La Coupée, the cliff paths, and a beach, you will walk 10-12 km on the day. Bring sufficient food and water (facilities in the village are limited).
Winter sailings (November to April) are typically on Fridays and weekends only. Several Sark guesthouses close November to March.
Browse Sark tours and activitiesAlderney: puffins, WWII, and island life
Distance: 45 km north of Guernsey
Transport: Aurigny Air Services from Guernsey Airport (GCI)
Crossing time: Approximately 25 minutes
Return fare: Approximately £60-100 return (varies, book ahead for best prices)
Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, WWII history fans, bird watchers, those wanting an off-the-beaten-track experience
Season: Aurigny operates year-round. Summer ferry (July-August only) from Guernsey by Condor
Alderney is the third-largest of the British Channel Islands and the most remote from Guernsey. It receives a fraction of the visitors that Jersey and Guernsey attract, which gives it an atmosphere of genuine authenticity. The island has its own airport, its own currency (Alderney pounds, alongside GBP), and a community of approximately 2,300 residents.
What to do in Alderney
Puffin colony: Alderney has the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the English Channel, nesting on the offshore islets of Burhou and Les Etacs. The best viewing is from the west coast cliffs between April and July, when puffins are on nests. Binoculars are essential. Landing on Burhou requires a permit from the States of Alderney.
WWII fortifications: Alderney was the site of four German concentration camps during WWII (the only camps on British soil), and extensive Atlantic Wall fortifications cover the island. Fort Clonque on the northwest coast — partially occupied by the Landmark Trust as holiday accommodation — is the most dramatic structure. Alderney Breakwater (the longest in Europe at 883 metres) was built by Victorian engineers and extended by the Germans.
St Anne: The island’s capital is a remarkably well-preserved Victorian town, with wide cobbled streets, Georgian architecture, and independent shops. The Alderney Museum on High Street covers the full island history, including WWII occupation.
Beach walks: Braye Bay on the north coast is the main beach, sheltered by the breakwater and good for swimming in summer.
Alderney Railway: The shortest working railway in the British Isles (3.2 km) runs coastal excursions on Sunday afternoons in summer.
Alderney logistics
Aurigny runs multiple daily flights Guernsey-Alderney in summer, fewer in winter. Flights are 25 minutes. A summer ferry service also operates (check Condor or Bumblebee Marine schedules for current dates — service varies by year). For a day trip, the first morning flight and late afternoon return gives 6-7 hours on the island.
Note: Alderney has no GYG tour bookings available. Activities are organised locally. Contact the Alderney Tourism office for guided WWII tours and wildlife experiences.
Browse Alderney activitiesLihou Island: the tidal causeway adventure
Distance: Directly offshore from L’Eree Bay, southwest Guernsey
Transport: On foot — the causeway is exposed at low spring tides
Crossing time: 20 minutes on foot
Cost: Free (permit required for extended stay or camping)
Best for: Adventurous walkers, nature enthusiasts, photographers
Season: Spring tides only, approximately twice per month, year-round
Lihou is a 15-hectare tidal island off the southwest coast of Guernsey, connected to the mainland by a causeway that is exposed only during the lowest tides — typically around spring tides, twice a month. The States of Guernsey publish the causeway opening dates in advance online.
The island contains the ruins of a 12th-century priory dedicated to Our Lady of Lihou, farmland managed as a nature reserve, and a warden’s cottage. It is designated a Ramsar wetland site for its importance to migratory waders and breeding seabirds.
The crossing itself is part of the experience: 350 metres of rocky causeway with barnacle-encrusted boulders and rock pools. Wear waterproof footwear (the causeway is wet even when not covered). Check the tide time carefully — the causeway floods quickly and without warning on the return.
Comparing the four day trips
| Destination | Travel time | Cost | Physical demand | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herm | 20 min | Low (£15) | Easy | Families, beaches |
| Sark | 50 min | Medium (£28) | Moderate (walking) | Walkers, history |
| Alderney | 25 min (flight) | High (£60-100) | Easy-moderate | Wildlife, WWII |
| Lihou | Walk | Free | Easy-moderate | Adventure, nature |
Related guides
- Things to do in Guernsey — what to do on Guernsey itself
- Guernsey with kids — Herm day trip for families
- How many days in Guernsey — building day trips into your itinerary
- Guernsey coastal walks — cliff paths on Guernsey itself
- Best beaches in Guernsey — Guernsey beaches to combine with day trips
- Guernsey without a car — car-free transport to St Peter Port ferry
Frequently asked questions — Best day trips from Guernsey
Which day trip from Guernsey is best for families?
Herm. Short crossing, flat island, beautiful Shell Beach, a single pub for lunch, and no traffic. Children from age 4 upwards find it genuinely magical. The perimeter walk is accessible for children aged 6 and above.
Is the Sark ferry safe for nervous sailors?
The Sark Shipping crossing can be rough in swells from the southwest. If you are prone to seasickness, take precautions (medication, ginger chews) and check the sea state forecast before departure. The crossing is generally smooth in summer; autumn can be more variable.
Can I visit two islands in one day from Guernsey?
Technically possible — a Herm morning and Sark afternoon, or Alderney flight and then an evening in St Peter Port. In practice, it is a rushed and expensive day. Better to dedicate a full day to each island.
When do Sark and Herm ferries stop for winter?
Sark Shipping reduces to 2-3 sailings per week from November to April. Herm Travel Trident also reduces substantially, and Herm’s hotel and most facilities close November to March. Alderney’s Aurigny flights run year-round.
Do I need a passport to visit Herm, Sark, or Alderney from Guernsey?
Travel within the British Channel Islands does not require passport control in the usual sense — there is no border check between Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and Alderney. However, EU and non-UK citizens should carry identity documents in case of any check on return.