The Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Pacific – they all conjure up images of clear, turquoise-tinged waters, sandy beaches, and tropical climates. But the Channel Islands? Err, maybe not. At least that‘s what I thought, until I visited Guernsey and Sark recently.
The Channel Islands are Britain’s answer to Cape Cod or France’s Atlantic resort of Ile de Re. Though they may be close in proximity, these islands are fiercely independent. The Channel Islands each have their own laws and tax regulations (quite favorable ones, too, if you can afford to plunk down a pile of local currency for bricks and mortar on any of them).
And unlike so many tired, old English seaside spots, the Channel Islands aren’t the domain of the grey-haired brigade. They’re a cool destination frequented by a mixture of age groups; couples, singles and families. But, if you took a random poll in a pub, more than half won’t have been there.
The islands straddle the UK and France, making day trips to Breton spots like St. Malo a doddle. Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney are the most visited, while Sark and Herm pull the day-trippers, but are certainly worth more time, especially if, like me, you relish a bit of car-free fun.
To go further afield, Guernsey makes a great base, especially for trips to Sark, only reachable by boat from either Guernsey or Jersey. Boat services can be unreliable due to weather, harbor traffic, and breakdowns. Jersey can be even more of a weather risk given but its position nearer to the Atlantic.
But if you’ve always wanted to be stranded on an island, the Channels could be your chance. Each of the islands serve local seafood and provide a peek at island life, where everybody knows everybody, and quaint white picket fences abound.
Guernsey itself is a piece of cake to get to. Aurigny Airlines and FlyBe operate service from London’s Gatwick and City airports, as well as Southampton, with a one hour flight time. Aurigny may not be a household name, but they win the prize for most chilled out staff. More than a couple of people were overheard describing the boarding and flight experience as the opposite of most airlines.
The complimentary bevies on board the Aurigny flight were nice, but the real seller for me is the flexible ticket policy. Changes are permitted up to two hours before flight time for only $40. These folks know their audience.
To visit Guernsey itself, you won’t need to worry too much about the weather. But, if you like to tick a few boxes in one trip, plan for Spring and Summer (May-early September) for the best chances of getting out to one of the smaller islands with the least disruptions, though anything’s possible, which is why the Channel Islands make for a great adventure.
