Jersey is the largest of the channel islands, and provides the widest range of paddling options. These include outstanding rockhopping on the north coast, surfing Atlantic swell on the west coast, exploring drying reefs on the south-east corner and open crossings with a range of levels of commitment. When we visited, we were lucky to bump into the Jersey Canoe Club, who could not have been more welcoming.
North side of Grosnez Point: The east going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 3 hours after high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. A substantial race can form at the point and the western side of the headland is often exposed to substantial swell.
Paternosters: The Paternosters, or Pierres de Lecq, is an area of drying rocks 2-3 miles north of Greve de Lecq. Close to the reef: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. Streams away from the reef are closer to 2.5 knots. A race can form a few hundred metres south of the rocks.
Sorel Point: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. Races can form around Sorel and Ronez points. The tidal stream runs at 2-3 knots across the bays, away from headlands.
Halfway between the Paternosters and Les Dirouilles: The tidal streams here are rotary. Times are given relative to high water at St. Helier. At HW, the flow is north-east, 1.5 knots, increasing to 3 knots north-west by 3 hours after HW. By 6 hours after/before HW, the flow is reduced again to 1.5 knots, flowing south-west. At 3 hours before HW, the flow is south-east at 2.5 knots. See chart 1136 for more information.
Fremont Point: A small race can form on the east-going tidal stream.
Belle Houge: The east south-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at St. Helier. The west north-west going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. A large race forms on flow in both directions. The tidal stream runs at 2-3 knots across the bays, away from headlands.
Vicard Point: Due to the eddy in Bouley Bay, the flow along the coastline to the west side of the bay is generally north-north west. A small race can form at Vicard Point.
Eddy in Bouley Bay: An eddy forms in the Bay on the east-going flow, such that the flow is generally west-going in the bay
Offshore Tour de Rozel: About a mile north of the point: The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 40 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The north-west going stream begins at 20 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 5.1 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs.
Tour de Rozel: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. A race forms on the east-going stream. This is used as a play spot by local paddlers, the best waves being formed between a drying rock and the headland. A race also forms at La Coupe. The tidal stream runs at 2-3 knots across the bays, away from headlands.
North of Les Écrehou: The south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 40 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The north-west going stream begins at 55 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 2.3 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.7 knots at springs.
Around Les Ecrehou: Streams among the islets are likely complex and information is somewhat contradictory. Best guess on flows at spring in the channel east of Maitre Isle and Marmotier is: The south south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 20 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The north north-west going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 5 knots at springs. Streams of 6 knots may occur east of Marmotier. The flow goes slack at around 4 hours and 40 minutes after high water St. Helier. At springs, the flow is then slack until the south-south east flow begins. However, at neaps the flow increases in strength north-north west again before turning.
Ecrehous, South and West of Marmotier: The south-east going stream begins at 4 hours and 15 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The north-west going stream begins at 2 hours and 25 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs.
Halfway between St. Catherines and the Écréhous: The south-east going stream begins at 6 hours after high water at St. Helier. The north-west going stream begins at 50 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south-east going stream reaches a speed of 4.5 knots at springs. The north-west going stream reaches a speed of 3.6 knots at springs. The south-east going stream flows on a bearing of about 113 degrees, whilst the north-west going stream flows on a bearing of about 332 degrees. See tidal diamond on chart 3655 (or French chart 7157 ) for more information.
End of St. Catherine's breakwater: The north going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south going stream begins at 4 hours after high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. The tidal stream runs strongly here, which can produce a confused sea. The north-going flow sets offshore and meets a westerly stream along the breakwater's north side, creating confused water.
Eddy in Fliquet Bay: During the north-going stream, an eddy forms in Fliquet (Flicquet) Bay behind the St. Catherines breakwater. If heading northwards, it may be better to stay offshore and well clear of La Coupe.
Eddy in St. Catherine's Bay: An eddy forms in St. Catherine's Bay during the main south-going stream.
Between Gorey and St. Catherines: The north going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at St. Helier. The south going stream begins at 3 hours and 45 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The north going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The south going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. A race can form off the point at Gorey.
East coast of Jersey, offshore: Offshore between La Rocque Point and La Coupe Point: The north going stream begins at 1 hours and 10 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. Some sources give the south-going tide as starting an hour later than this.
Inshore Grouville Bay: The north going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south going stream begins at 3 hours and 45 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The north going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The south going stream reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs. Tidal streams are weak close inshore.
South east coast of Jersey: In the area around the Violet Bank, south of La Rocque Point: The east going stream begins at 5 hours after high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs.
Saint Clements Bay: The flow here is constantly eastwards.
South coast of Brittany: Between Point Corbiere and La Rocque Point: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. The west going stream starts several hours earlier between Beauport and Point Corbiere. Races can form off Point Corbiere, Point Le Fret and Noirmont.
4 miles south of Noirmont Point: The east south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 25 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The west north-west going stream begins at 20 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The east south-east going stream reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs. The west north-west going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs.
North of the Plateau des Minquiers: About a mile north of the Demie de Vascelin buoy: The east south-east going stream begins at 5 hours and 10 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The west north-west going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The east south-east going stream reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. The west north-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.8 knots at springs. South of the Demie de Vascelin buoy, streams can be faster, with strong eddy flows.
Channel west of Maitresse Isle: The south south-east going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at St. Helier. The north north-west going stream begins at 5 hours after high water at St. Helier. The south south-east going stream reaches a speed of 3.5 knots at springs. The north north-west going stream reaches a speed of 3 knots at springs. Times given are estimates. The maximum south-south east flow occurs 4 hours before high water at St. Helier. The maximum north-north west flow occurs 2 hours after high water at St. Helier. Flows can reach 7 knots to the north-east of Maitresse Ile in the Gauliot passage, which runs ENE-WSW along the edge of the drying rocks.
Across St. Aubin's Bay: Between Noirmont Point and La Collette: The east north-east going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at St. Helier. The west south-west going stream begins at 45 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The east north-east going stream reaches a speed of 1.9 knots at springs. The west south-west going stream reaches a speed of 0.8 knots at springs.
Eddy in St. Aubin's Bay: An eddy forms here, with the following flows: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 30 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at St. Helier. The eddy forms during the second half of the east-going stream between Elizabeth Castle, around the Bay to Noirmont Point. By contrast, The west-going stream runs directly north-west into the bay.
Eddy south of Noirmont Point: The flow is south-going here for 9 hours of the tidal cycle - see notes on the eddy in St. Aubin's bay. Between Point de But and Noirmont, it can reach 3 knots.
Noirmont Point and Point Le Fret: The east going stream begins at 5 hours and 45 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. A race forms off Noirmont Point during the west going stream and sometimes during the latter half of the east-going stream. Note that shipping can pass between the headland and the north cardinal buoy 700m to the south. A race also forms at Point Le Fret, with fast streams running very close to the shore.
Eddy west of Point Le Fret: An eddy forms west of Point Le Fret, such that the flow between La Cotte Point and Point Le Fret is almost constantly southwards.
Between Beauport and Corbiere: Between Beauport and Corbiere, the west-going stream starts several hours earlier close inshore: The east going stream begins at 5 hours after high water at St. Helier. The west going stream begins at 1 hours before high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. A race can form off Point Corbiere.
North side of Corbiere Point: The north going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south going stream begins at 4 hours after high water at St. Helier. Overfalls occur off Le Corbiere, the worst of which can sometimes be avoided close inshore.
West coast of Jersey: The north going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs.
Off the La Saline slipway: The south south-east going stream begins at 3 hours after high water at St. Helier. The north north-west going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at St. Helier.
West side of Grosnez Point: The north going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs. A race can form at the Point.
Offshore Grosnez Point: About 2 miles north-east of the Point: The north-east going stream begins at 2 hours and 50 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 40 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The north-east going stream reaches a speed of 3.8 knots at springs. The south-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.4 knots at springs.
Between Sark and NW Jersey: Around 4.5 miles south of the south tip of Sark: The north-east going stream begins at 3 hours and 10 minutes before high water at St. Helier. The south-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 30 minutes after high water at St. Helier. The north-east going stream reaches a speed of 2.3 knots at springs. The south-west going stream reaches a speed of 3.1 knots at springs.
It is worth being aware of the paths taken by the shipping routes out of St. Helier.
St. Helier Port: St. Helier VTS is on VHF channel 14. It is worth monitoring this channel for shipping movements.
Shipping close inshore St. Aubin's Bay: Shipping, including fast catamarans, runs across the mouth of St. Aubin's Bay and close to Noirmont Point. See buoys marked on charts, including the south cardinal south of Noirmont Point. It is advisable to stay inshore of the red channel marking buoys.
Plemont: (-) g Not an ideal access point. Long and difficult carry up steps from the beach to the road. Parking at the end of the road and along the road, with additional car parks 100m to the east. The beach can have large surf. The beach covers 2 to 3 hours either side of high tide.
Greve de Lecq pier: (-) g Slipway leads down to beach behind a small breakwater. Parking just to the south. This corner of the bay may be a good option if there is surf.
Greve de Lecq Beach: (-) g Greve de Lecq has two large car parks, both close to the beach. The beach is steep, making carries short at all states of the tide. There can be dumping surf on the beach, in which case the pier at the western end of the beach may offer some shelter. Tidal streams can be strong at Rouge Nez, just to the east of here.
Bonne Nuit: (-) g Harbour with slipway onto beach, usable at all states of the tide. Limited parking on harbour walls, can be busy in summer. Nearest alternative parking is 1.5km south-west up the road at the Les Platons Car park, from which paths allow an off-road walk back to Bonne Nuit.
Bouley Bay: (-) g Slipway leading down from the road to a small beach. Usable at all states of the tide as the beach shelves steeply. Space to drop boats by the slipway. Small car park just to the south and some roadside parking. Can be busy, especially on Sunday mornings. It may be possible to park at a viewpoint above the bay, where there are benches near the road opposite a large agricultural building. Paths lead down through the woods back to the back, about 700m. If this is busy, there is a larger car park 'Parcd de la Petite Falise' a little further up the hill.
Rozel: (-) g Slipway leading from road onto the beach. Limited roadside parking, very busy in summer - either arrive early or launch elsewhere.
St. Catherine's breakwater: (-) g Slipway, with plenty of parking nearby. The Jersey Canoe Club clubhouse is located here. Beware of strong tidal streams at the end of the breakwater. It is also possible to launch to the north of the breakwater - carry down near the end of railings leading from the breakwater to a shingle beach (or seaweed covered rock at low water).
Belval Cove: (-) g Small ramp down to beach by a bus stop. Parking area a short distance along the road to the north east.
Mike's Slip: (-) g Slipway just to the north of the St. Catherine's Lifeboat Station, with a few parking spaces. Usable at most heights of tide.
Archirondel: (-) g Small car park by the beach. Failing that, there is another car park 250m north along the road. Usable at all states of the tide.
Anne Port: (-) g Slipway on to beach. Parking permitted on the north side of the slipway. Large car park 300m north along the road. Usable at all states of the tide, although the carry will be a bit longer at low water.
Gorey Harbour: (-) g The harbour itself has a slipway, but parking is limited and the harbour dries below about a 7m tide. A small pier around 200m west along the A3 may provide a less busy launch point, with parking along the road, but the Montee des Greve slipway further west is likely a better option.
Gorey Montre des Greves slip: (-) g Slipway, large enough to park on to drop boats. Large public car park, with toilets, 200m south. Long walk cross the beach at low water.
La Rocque, Seymour slip: (-) g Slipway onto beach with adjacent car park. Dries a long way, best if tide is above 6 or 7 m.
La Rocque Harbour: (-) g Parking by the road along the harbour. Short slipway at western corner and long slipway at the eastern end. Only usable at high water, best above about 6.5 metres - the tide here goes out for almost 2 miles! Expect a few hundred metres carry to the sea at half tide. Around high water, the tide flows swiftly close to the pier.
Le Hocq: (-) g Slipway, with limited parking, larger car park across the road. Best avoided at low water, but a channel likely makes this launch feasible with water above about 3 to 4 metres.
Green Island: (-) g Car park by beach, with slipway. Carry may be long at low water, this launch point is likely best with tidal heights above about 3 metres.
St. Helier, La Mare: (-) g Car park by beach. Best when tide is above 5-6 m.
St. Helier, La Grande Charriere slip: (-) g Slipway with public toilet. May be possible to park on the slipway, small parking area 100m to the north. Best with tide above 5m.
St. Helier, Fishermen's Slipway: (-) g Slipway accessed by turning right just after the DVS Driver & Vehicle Standards office. No parking nearby, but boats can be dropped and the 'Mount Bingham Car Park' is a few hundred metres walk to the north.
St. Helier, Jersey Rowing Club: (-) g Steep slipway accessed down the side of the rowing club, which should be usable at most states of the tide. Roadside parking nearby, parking on South pier just to the west and public car park 200m north east. During the summer months, the harbour can be very busy, making paddling in and out potentially problematic. If launching here, you will need to obey the pier head control lights, stopping if 3 red lights or an occulting red light are shown. An occulting yellow light shown above these lights indicates that small vessels may proceed contrary to these signals.
St. Aubin's Bay, Layby 5: (-) g Parking area by the beach. To the east of here, the beach floods at high water.
St. Aubin's Bay, Bel Royal St Lawrence: (-) g Public car park by beach and slipway. Public toilet. May be a long walk to the sea at low water springs. There is another car park 150m east.
St. Aubin's bay, Clos de la Mielle: (-) g Car park by the beach. Public toilet. May be a long walk to the sea at low water springs.
St. Aubin, La Haule: (-) g Road runs along the beach, slipway just to the north. Roadside parking and small public car park. May be a long carry across the beach at low water springs.
St. Aubins, Boulevard car park: (-) g Small public car park by harbour and slipway. May be a long way to the water at low tide when the causeway to St. Aubin's fort is uncovered. This spot is normally too busy to be usable - consider other locations further east around the Bay.
Belcroute: (-) g A narrow lane leads steeply down to the bay. Parking for 4-5 cars at the back of the bay and possibly on the left hand side of the road down.
Ouaisné: (-) g Road leads down to the beach. Parking by the road and in a large parking area nearby. May be a carry across the beach of up to 500m at low tide. Normally much less busy than St. Brelades.
St. Brelade: (-) g Large public car park. Access to beach across road from west end of car park. May be up to a 500m carry across the beach at low water. Can be very busy in summer.
St. Brelade Church Slipway: (-) g Slipway at the western end of St.Brelade way onto the beach. May be a carry of up to 400m at low tide. Short term parking near slipway, large public car park 300m to the east. Can be very busy in summer.
Beauport: (-) g From the car park, there is a carry of 200m down a steep path, with steps, to the beach.
Corbiere Point: (-) g Several parking areas along the road leading down to the causeway, with additional parking near the WW2 tower just to the east. Launching is easiest 3 hours either side of high water.
Petit Port: (-) g Slipway leading onto beach at end of road. No obvious parking nearby, although it may be possible to leave a car at a small pull-off on the main road just to the west of where the road to the bay comes off. The beach is well protected from swell. Only usable above half tide.
La Pulente: (-) g Road leading down to a slipway onto the beach. Parking area where the road meets the main road, with more parking along the road itself. Large parking area 150m to the north. Best at high water, as the carry would be a long one when the tide is out.
La Carriere: (-) g Large parking area off the main road, short carry over dunes to the beach opposite. The carry would be long at low water.
Le Braye: (-) g Large car park by slipway leading onto beach, opposite La Rocco Tower. Additional car parks along the road that heads north-east from here. Like most launch points on the west coast, long carry at low water.
Le Port: (-) g Large parking area by the beach.
L'Ouziere: (-) g Road leads to slipway onto beach. Plenty of parking.
Kempt: (-) g Plentiful parking by the beach.
Les Laveurs: (-) g Road leading to slipway onto beach. Large car park 100m up the road, as well as roadside parking.
La Saline slipway: (-) g Road leading to slipway onto beach. Parking area adjacent to slipway.
L'Etacq La Saline: (-) g Slipway with a small amount of adjacent parking, and a car park 100m south-east along the beach. Long carry at low water - this launch point is best used 3 hours either side of high water.
L'Etacq South (Slip du Sein): (-) g Slipway onto beach, with nearby parking. Long carry at low water, best used 3 hours either side of high tide.
L'Etacq Fisheries slip: (-) g Slipway just to the north of the WW2 bunker. Parking nearby. The car park in front of Faulkner Fisheries is for customers - park a little to the north
L'Etacq Le Pulec: (-) g Small beach to the north of the other L'Etacq options, with a parking area just above. Likely the shortest carry at low water, but the need to wade through rotting seaweed and the overpowering smell may put you off.
Les Écréhous: Les Écréhous are an area of drying reefs about 10 km to the north-east of Jersey. Maitre Ile, the main island that is permanently dry has a number of dwellings on it, some inhabited during the summer months. The tidal beach is a glorious place to each lunch, just 2 miles away from the French border.
Clearly, the crossing is a serious proposition, requiring good weather. If you arrive on an east-going tide, it's sensible to aim west of the Écréhous and finish you journey by paddling among the reefs. Your departure point will depend on the tides with St. Catherines and Rozel being possible options.