If you enjoy active holidays, Jersey offers a fantastic range of exciting outdoor activities for all ages and abilities.
Jersey may be small but it doesn’t lack in activities to experience and explore so if you’re looking for the perfect island escape you’ve come to the right place. A place of rediscovery and adventure, Jersey offers a full range of outdoor pursuits, whatever you like doing. Whether you prefer to explore by two wheels or foot, you’re more of a seaside adventurer, or you’re looking to push your limits to the max, we’ve got a whole heap of ideas to keep you busy for an active getaway.
The cyclist’s paradise
Jersey may only be nine miles by five but it does boast a huge array of beautiful cycle routes. With a mild climate and varied terrain – whether you ride for pleasure or fitness Jersey can offer something for riders of levels. For the experienced riders Jersey.com have created eight advanced cycle routes which includes distance, grade, time and elevation gain so you can be sure the ride matches your skill level. There is also a signposted Cycle Network, which allows one to explore the island via its coastal tracks and green lanes, download the guide here. There are plenty of places to hire a bike in Jersey so you needn’t bring yours with you if its inconvenient as well as dedicated cycle tours.
Walking in Jersey
Jersey is known for its cliffside walking trails but with sweeping dunes, wooded valleys and geographical sites of special interest it offers a lot more than seascapes for the walking junkie. Enjoying a rich and varied landscape, it’s so easy to just lace up and explore Jersey at your own pace. Whether you choose to meander along country lanes and through fields and farms, stroll along a marina or French-style fishing village to find a friendly seaside pub or discover hidden bays and secluded coves, Jersey.com offers plenty of self-guided routes in Jersey. Alternatively there are also guided tours and walks, where a local will craft a unique experience just for you.
Ultimate adventure events
If you’re looking for an endurance challenge to test your limits for 2020, then Jersey has nine mighty challenges running from June to November. These include a gentle 6km and 13km road race, a tougher 100km night course, a two-day off-road running adventure (taking in all of Jersey’s best trails), a standard marathon and an ultra-marathon (of course), a standard trailathon and yep you guessed it a RBC Super League Triathlon (for the world’s top male and female triathletes), the Channel Island’s first swimrun race, a Round Island Challenge (listed by Red Bull as one of top 11 extreme UK fitness challenges in 2016) and an around the Island Walk (now a Jersey institution). More information can be found on Jersey.com’s specific event listings.
Seaside adventures
Whether you choose to brave the waves and try your hand at surfing, have a swim in the ocean, explore Jersey’s unspoilt beaches or enjoy one of the many watersports on offer –you’re not short of options when it comes to activities along the shoreline. Some of our favourite include kayaking, coasteering and stand up paddle boarding – all of which can be booked with Jersey Adventures, jet skiing and water skiing with Jersey Sea Sport Centre and scuba diving. Jersey's sub-marine life is fascinating with many aquatic species rarely seen in the UK and WWII wrecks waiting to be discovered – Bouley Bay is one of the most established dive centres in Jersey. Don’t miss your opportunity to see a different side to Jersey by boat, where you can spot dolphins and seals in their natural habitat or some of the island’s historic landmarks – there are a number charters available including Jersey Seafaris, Nauti Buoy and Island RIB Tours.
Family friendly
Taking the kids with you? As well as the numerous rock pools on the east coast, sandy beaches in the west of the island, and body boarding along the three-mile stretch of St Ouen’s Bay with Laneez Surf Centre, there are a number of family attractions such as Jersey Zoo and aMaizin! Adventure Park, with over 30 outdoor and indoor activities. In the secluded natural vale in St. Brelade, is Jersey’s only high ropes adventure centre, Valley Adventure Centre, which also offers archery, climbing and abseiling, as well as paintball and laser combat. If you’re more at home with a frisbee, then head over to the Jersey Accommodation and Activity Centre in St. Martin, home to the island’s only 9 hole disc golf course. It also has a range of other activities, including bush craft.
With the choice of Jersey’s capital or most popular beach to base your stay, both the Grand Jersey and L'Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa resorts are the perfect retreat after a day of adventure.
