January. It’s that time of year when the pressure is on to reinvent ourselves. To lose a stone, learn a new language or take on a mega fitness challenge. But what if we just saw this month as an opportunity to slow down a little, turn inwards and reconnect with ourselves?
Jersey itself slows down in the winter months. There are less visitors, less attractions open and there’s a quieter feel about things. But here lies the beauty of the island at this time of year, making it the perfect place to recharge and reconnect. Jersey during the winter is a place to come and nourish your soul.
And here are our seven favourite ways to do just that.
1. Find wide, open spaces to just breathe.
After the hustle and bustle of the festive period, maybe you’re longing to be in a place where you can breathe in the fresh sea air, stretch your legs for as long as you like and feel a true sense of freedom. Here in Jersey, we have plenty of places to do exactly that.
Fliquet Bay
Located on the far north east of the island, Fliquet Bay is a beautifully scenic spot, where it’s possible to enjoy panoramic views across to France. Fliquet Bay has a mixture of pebbles, sand and rock and it is sheltered from westerly and south westerly winds. This is a bay where you can escape the everyday hustle and bustle and relax.
Ouaisné Bay
Ouaisné, the adjoining beach to St. Brelade's Bay is a south-west facing beach and wilder in contrast to the neighbouring St. Brelade's Bay. The two beaches are connected at low tide, or cross the pine-rich headland and walk along the sea wall next to the protected Ouaisné Common towards locals’ favourite, The Smugglers Inn.
The Royal Bay of Grouville
The Royal Bay of Grouville, known to locals as Long Beach, has a long stretch of soft golden sand with calm sheltered waters perfect for swimming. You can enjoy water skiing, wakeboarding, banana boat rides and even hire a motor dinghy in summer. Young families will love this friendly beach nestled near the sleepy Gorey Village.
Archirondel Bay
Archirondel is a very popular pebbly beach with plenty of sandy space to stretch out on too. Swim in the clear calm sea, skim stones and watch them skip across the water, or explore hidden rock pools at low tide. At high tide the sand is covered, so be sure to time your adventure just right.
St. Aubin’s Bay
St. Aubin’s Bay sprawls over the central part of Jersey’s southern coast. Explore a vast expanse of sandy beach spanning from St. Helier to St. Aubin’s Harbour. As the bay faces south, you can bask in the sunshine from dawn to dusk. Feel the loose, golden sand beneath your feet as you walk along this sheltered beach.
Plémont Bay
This has to be one of Jersey’s most beautiful beaches. Plémont has a natural drama and enchanting beauty all of its own. A sandy cove on the north-west tip of the island with many rock pools, fascinating sea caves, and even a fresh water waterfall.
Grève de Lecq Beach
This sheltered north facing beach is fringed with wooded slopes and leafy country pubs. A firm favourite with families, with rocks to climb, pools to search for critters in, a sea that’s never too far out even at a low tide and lifeguards during the summer months, all make this beach a winner.
The Jersey National Park
Jersey’s unique character of land and sea, coast and countryside unite in the Jersey National Park. It’s a place to reconnect and revitalise. A place to come together in the great outdoors and experience the wild side of the island break.
Beauport Bay
Beauport Bay is the perfect bay for soaking up the sun and is nestled in the west of the island, surrounded by cliffs on three sides. We are proud of our clear local waters, and Beauport’s is worthy of a special mention as it’s pristine; making it the perfect spot for swimming, snorkelling and rock jumping.
St. Ouen’s Bay
With its sun kissed headland and soft sandy beaches, Jersey's western shoreline offers up some of the island's most magical locations, a long stretch of golden sand and views over the Atlantic Ocean make St. Ouen's Bay something special. The bay is a great spot for a sunset BBQ with the family, just over the road from the stunning sand dunes.
Tuck into delicious local food.
New year diet on the cards? Nah! Here in Jersey, every body is a beach body and we believe that the best way to make yourself feel good is to eat the rainbow and fill your plate with as much delicious local produce as you can.
2. Eat the island.
By the end of January, most restaurants that took a break after Christmas will be opening their doors again and you can also pick up plenty of seasonal produce from the local market, seafood stalls that pop up around the island and at charming farm shops.
3. Spend time in the best company.
Whether you decide to take a solo trip to reconnect with yourself, or invite some of your nearest and dearest to join you on your winter island escape, just make sure that your crew is bringing joy and positive energy to your trip.
4. Get your daily dose of vitamin sea.
Here in Jersey, we recommend a daily dose of vitamin sea to beat those winter blues. Brave a bracing winter’s dip in our big blue or just soak up its serenity from the shoreline and you’ll soon feel the benefits.
5. Indulge in a spa day.
What could be more nourishing than letting all your troubles melt away at one of the island’s fabulous spas? Treat yourself to a relaxing treatment and then spend the day enjoying the pool, sauna and other facilities.
6. Move your body in a new way.
Don’t you feel good when you move your body? There is so much joy to be found in movement, especially when we discover something that we love. This year, why not try something new? Whether that’s lacing up your hiking boots and testing them out on Jersey’s breathtaking coastal paths or checking out one of the island’s many yoga studios, for a gentle and restorative practice.
7. Take time to rest.
Arguably our favourite thing to do to recharge on a winter’s escape – rest of course! There is so much to explore on our island, but for the ultimate winter nourishment, simply take time to rest. Jump into that cosy hotel bed, don’t set an alarm and let your body do what it needs to do. Ahhh, bliss.
