Sea Swimming

Take to the open seas and experience Jersey’s clear blue water and breath taking scenery from a different angle. There’s more than 45 miles of varied coastline to explore, including tiny coves, long sheltered bays and rocky inlets.

Jersey also has some of the largest tidal flows in the world, sometimes with as much as 40 feet difference between the high and the low water mark. Take care when bathing or exploring the seashore. Be extremely careful on incoming tides as the water can sweep in behind you and it is easy to be cut off by the tide.

A team of professional beach lifeguards patrol St Ouen’s beach, St Brelade’s bay and Plémont from mid May to the end of September. Look out for the red and yellow flags which indicate the patrolled areas for swimming on these beaches. Swim within the flags, but note that when a red flag is flying, the conditions are dangerous and unsuitable for swimming. There are also lifeguards at the two outdoor sea water swimming pools of West Park and Havre des Pas but these areas are not patrolled.

If you are water confident and wish to do more than a quick paddle and dip, perhaps the best way to navigate Jersey’s seas is with the Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club on one of their weekly swims or with the Polar Bears who swim almost daily at Havre des Pas.