There’s something the whole family can enjoy on your island break to Jersey. From parks with trampolines, zip lines and go karts, to wild places to explore like Jersey Zoo and the Jersey National Park that’s home to sand dunes, castles beaches, rugged coastline and smaller islands only a short RIB trip away.
Highlights
- Catch some air at Jump Jersey.
- Jersey Dairy ice cream with a stunning backdrop.
- Go wild at Jersey Zoo.
- Relax on our golden sandy beaches.
- Zip line through the trees.
A day out west.
Overview.
Soak in the beauty of St. Ouen’s Bay on your first day with the opportunity to not only paddle out for a surf, but to enjoy a tipple at the local beach side cafés and why not try a spot of bunker yoga!
Stops: Two.
1. Breakfast by the beach at Le Braye.
Le Braye Bistro offers seasonal flavour, great all day dining and breathtaking brunch views over St. Ouen’s Bay. Inhale the fresh sea air and the caffeine whilst the children play in the sandpit and watch the surfers and kite-boarders breeze by in the surf.
2. Bunker Yoga and Jersey Surf School.
A stone’s throw from your breakfast spot at Le Braye; ride the waves or relax into the downward dog on a family surf or yoga session. Both the surf and yoga school cater for all abilities.
Stay west and explore Jersey’s National Park. Go on a bug safari or just have fun playing in one of the largest single dune systems in the British Isles. Treat it as high intensity interval training or take a casual walk to reach the top of the dunes and take in that breathtaking view over St. Ouen’s Bay. Either way it will take your breath away.
A maize maze and ice cream? Yes please.
Overview.
You can’t have a family holiday in Jersey without a stop at the aMaizin’ Adventure Park where you can go-kart, mine for gold and explore the maize maze! While you’re out west, venture out to La Corbière Lighthouse for some of the best Jersey Dairy ice cream. Then sit back and relax at the Portelet Inn where you can enjoy a delicious meal and a pint while the kids go sailing in the pirate themed play area.
Stops: Three.
1. aMaizin! Adventure Park.
A great place to visit as a family, the aMaizin’ Adventure Park has loads to keep children entertained. Mine for gold, go-kart, pillow-bounce, have a water fight, go on a drop slide and in the summer – get lost in the maize maze. The park is an all-weather option, with a huge indoor play barn to keep everyone entertained and a Ranger’s Diner for when you need to re-fuel.
2. La Corbiére Lighthouse with a scoop of ice-cream.
Our Jersey cows have been making the creamiest, richest and smoothest ice cream in the world since 1763. Fact. Enjoy it with the sand beneath your toes or after a hard day having fun as the sun sinks over La Corbiére Lighthouse. It really is a scoop of happiness best enjoyed in the sunshine.
3. Pirate playtime at Portelet Inn.
Embrace your inner-pirate at The Portelet Inn with a cold beer for grown-ups and a pirate themed play area for little ones. Stone baked pizzas and pub classics are followed by a trip to the Ice-Cream Factory for dessert. Dine al fresco in the sea air during summer months and curl up by the roaring log fire in the winter. A winner for all ages and all seasons.
Delve into the wildlife.
Overview.
Get to know the locals on a rockpool ramble on one of the rockier beaches at low tide. Discover Jersey’s stunning tidal range and see what you can find! Then, explore the endangered species that are looked after at Jersey Zoo. Top off your day with a delicious meal at the Jersey Crab Shack, a taste of local seafood you won’t regret.
Stops:
1. A rockpool ramble.
Jersey has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world; at low tide the island nearly doubles in size, leaving rock pools filled with tiny crabs, fish and anemones. Gréve de Lecq and Green Island at low tide provide easy rock pool access, just keep an eye on the tide. For rock-star level rock pooling, Jersey Walk Adventures offer a range of walks on the internationally recognized Ramsar Wetlands site – a marine version of the Jersey National Park. For something super special, book a Bioluminescence trip. Like a firework display at your feet, meet your guide at La Rocque Harbour for the most magical of Jersey experiences. As the tide goes out, tiny creatures glow in the dark and light up the sand. One of Jersey’s best-kept secrets.
2. Jersey Zoo.
The jewel in Jersey’s crown, Jersey Zoo was the first ever conservation-led zoo. Over 60 years later, Gerald Durrell’s 32 acre-park is host to some of the world’s rarest and most endangered animals, including orangutans, gorillas and a couple of cheeky bush dogs. Relax with a picnic and wander for hours, or see the best bits in under two hours.
3. Jersey Crab Shack.
Wherever you are in Jersey you will not be far from The Crab Shack. A home grown restaurant group, located out west in the beautiful St. Brelade’s Bay and next to the Central Market in St. Helier, The Crab Shack offers relaxed family dining and a menu packed with local Jersey produce.
Sun, sea and sand.
Overview.
Stop. Take a day out of your packed itinerary to relax on the beach. Here are five Jersey beaches that are perfect for family days out.
All of these beaches have public loos, baby changing facilities and cafés. RNLI lifeguards are present in the summer months.
1. St. Brelades' Bay.
St. Brelade’s Bay has to be at the top of our beach list. Recently voted one of the best beaches in the UK, you can understand why it is one of Jersey’s most popular beaches. Soft golden sands, crystal clear waters and gentle waves await and the views are simply stunning. Accessible by public transport with parking directly across the road from the beach, with lots of cafés, restaurants and shops for your essential buckets and spades.
2. Gréve de Lecq.
A sheltered, north facing beach, fringed with wooded slopes with enough to keep the little ones entertained all day. Children love building dams in the little stream which runs down the beach, exploring the rock pools and climbing the rocks whilst the grown ups can watch them from the comfort of their deck chairs. You’ll find plenty of options for lunch or that essential ice cream stop and parking is easy to find. The perfect beach for a family day out.
3. Plémont Bay.
Well worth the effort of getting there, Plémont is located on the rugged north coast and via quite a few steps! A sandy cove featuring the most incredible sea caves and a freshwater waterfall. You will feel like you are in a Famous Five book! If you want to explore more, take the cliff-path walk across the top of the bay. Be careful and check the tide times as the sand is completely covered at high tide. Once the tide retreats, children love playing in the sand bottomed pools that the tide has left behind.
4. Portelet Bay.
A fab beach for to make your base for the day and where you’ll find the local favourite, Portelet Bay Café. This gem can either be reached by steps or by boat with one of the island’s RIB operators. It is most definitely worth the steps! The PBC team are known for wood fired pizzas, seasonal fresh fish and locally sourced produce; sometimes from their own garden! Sit outside or next to one of the huge windows and take in THAT view.
Discover on two wheels.
Overview.
Rent some bikes for the day and explore the island via its vast network of cycle lanes that take you past the Railway Cafe, the perfect pit stop. Find your way to the Valley Adventure Centre where you’ll push your limits in the high ropes course and zip line.
1. Jersey Bike Hire.
Many would say that exploring by bike is the most enjoyable and immersive way to experience the island. Treat your senses to the scent of gorse, the sound of seabirds and the sight of the crashing waves as you spin your way around Jersey’s coastal roads. With a network of 15 mph ‘Green Lanes’ throughout the island’s countryside and miles of bicycle-friendly routes, discover the island on two wheels.
Start you two-wheeled adventure day in St. Aubin’s Village where you’ll find the start of the Railway Walk and Jersey Bike Hire where you can pick up your cycles and set off for a day of wheelie good fun.
2. Pit stop at Off the Rails.
Located directly on The Railway Walk cycle track, this is a pit stop that will please the whole family, especially with the ‘Elephant Park’ playground right next door. Offering great coffee, brunch and lunch during the day and then sourdough pizzas and tapas in the evenings, “Off the Rails” is a family favourite at all times.
3. Valley Adventure Centre.
See Jersey’s woodlands from a new height as you step out into thin air; zip-lining through the trees and taking a leap of faith from tree-height platforms, all attached via a body harness of course. A lower route for little ones means that everyone from five years and up can join the high-wire fun at Valley Adventure Centre. Test your head for heights with aerial trekking, get your adrenaline fix on the king swing, take aim and fire with archery, give climbing and abseiling a go or battle it out in paintball or laser combat!
Dolphin spotting and castles.
Overview.
Start your day dolphin spotting on a RIB trip to the furthest parts of Jersey’s National Park to the offshore reefs of Les Ecréhous or Les Minquiers. Then get a takeaway picnic when you’re back on the mainland and find the perfect spot to relax and unwind. then it’s off to Elizabeth Castle for an adventure through the medieval fortifications to cap off your day.
1. Aquatic adventure to Les Ecréhous or Les Minquiers.
Play “spot the dolphin” on a family trip to Jersey’s archipelago, Les Ecréhous or Les Minquiers; two groups of islands that lie off Jersey’s coast. Charter your own family boat and book a picnic choc-full of Jersey seafood from the Fresh Fish Company to take with you on your trip. You could even spend the morning taking the Jersey Honesty Box challenge; collecting fresh local fruit, vegetables and seafood to create your picnic or BBQ before hitting the waves. Once you get there, walk, paddleboard or swim to work up an appetite. Dolphin sightings have increased over the last few years with one of our local RIB companies claiming they see dolphins on 40% of their trips. Jump aboard for a truly unique experience featuring some spectacular scenery, sea-life and wildlife.
2. Become the King of the Castle
Elizabeth Castle is the perfect place to spend a day exploring Jersey’s history. Hop on an amphibious puddle duck or walk across the causeway at low tide to reach the Hermitage where Saint Helier is thought to have lived circa 550 A.D. Climb the battlements, explore turrets and bunkers and meet the 18th century Master Gunner on the Parade Ground. He’ll put you through your paces before marching off to the cockpit to fire the Black Powder cannon.
Jump, jump, jump... and wine.
Overview.
Spend your last day jumping around in the island’s trampoline park at Jump Jersey. Then, take your family on to La Mare Wine Estate. Yes, that’s right, a winery! Here there’s fun for the whole family with a playground, chocolate tasting and a treasure hunt along with plenty of tipples to taste. Finish you day (and your trip) with a sunset dinner overlooking the stunning St. Ouen’s Bay. We bet you’ll be glowing with satisfaction just like the sunset with some very happy kids to boot.
1. Jump Jersey.
Jump Jersey is the island’s newest and biggest indoor activity centre, with a trampoline park, climbing walls and soft play area for the little ones to spring into action. Think ‘It’s a Knockout’ meets ‘Gladiators’ with a laser light show and music thrown in for good measure. Big or small, this epic play arena will rock your world, with enough high-energy adventure to earn you some serious parent points.
2. La Mare Wine Estate.
Whilst a wine estate may not be the first thought on a family trip, with a great playground, chocolate tasting and a treasure hunt through the vineyard and estate it’s ok for the grown-ups to treat themselves to a tasting. Reconnect with nature in the beautiful vineyards and orchards of La Mare, in the heart of Jersey’s countryside. Savour handmade wines, spirits, preserves and more on tours and tastings.
3. A sunset dinner at El Tico.
Pull up a deckchair or take a table outside for dinner at El Tico. As the sun slips under the sea, spot the surfers catching the last waves of the day as you enjoy fantastic flavours like fish tacos, ribs and curries; all made using the island’s rich local produce. Sit back and relax with a local beer in your hand as the sun sets on your Jersey break. We’ll see you soon.