Jersey Leisure
Jersey is an outdoor wonderland, with truly stunning scenery everywhere you look, and reliably decent weather to make things more enjoyable. Naturally, the sea plays a big role in local sports and leisure. There are more than 30 beaches on Jersey where visitors can do a variety of water sports or simply lounge on the sand. Walking is another major activity on Jersey. You can literally walk or cycle around the island thanks to their glorious network of maintained trails and paths. Golf is also a popular sport on Jersey, with a number of beautifully dramatic courses.
Beaches and water sports
With over 30 beaches to choose from, visitors can certainly find a sandy spot which suits their mood. Some are dramatic, wild places where pebbles cover the land and waves crash to the shore. Other beaches lie among sheltered bays and coves offering good swimming and sunbathing opportunities. Recognised as having some of the cleanest beaches in Europe, Jersey wont fail to impress.
On the south side of Jersey, either side of St Helier, sandy beaches stretch 5kms to St Aubins Bay and La Roque Point. To the west of St Aubin is St Brelades Bay, considered one of Jerseys most beautiful and popular beaches for windsurfing and water-skiing, and Beauport a small bay surrounded by towering pink granite cliffs. The eastern and western coasts are dominated by long sweeping beaches, where you can find the Royal Bay of Grouville, St Catherines Bay and Gorey. St Ouens Bay is also on the west coast, and is the best spot for surfing. The northern side of Jersey doesnt have many beaches, but the coastal area is still amazing with its rock pools, caves and fishing spots.
Walking and cycling
There are dozens of paths and trails to keep even the most seasoned hiker happy. Jersey is renowned for its walking trail system, which is one of the best-developed in Europe. You can literally walk your way around the island using the pathways. The northern side of Jersey has the highest land and the most rugged scenery. An amazing 16-mile route runs from the far north-west to the far north-east of the island, taking in some of Jerseys finest scenery. Gentler walks are possible inland and in the southern half of the island. You can also follow the line of the old Jersey Railway, which is now a traffic-free public path perfect for cycling or walking. Jersey has a whole network of Green Lanes, which have a 24kph speed limit, and are ideal for bikers. This Green Lane network is so popular that it grows a bit more each year.
Golfing
Golfers can take their pick from Jerseys rich selection of world-class golf courses scattered around the island. La Moye in St Brelade, and Royal Jersey in Grouville, are both championship 18-hole courses which require proof of handicap. If you dont belong to a club at home, you can always play Les Mielles, the Jersey Recreation Grounds, Les Ormes, or Wheatlands Golf Club. Throughout the year, Jersey hosts a number of prestigious golfing events.