There is so much to discover along the island’s south coast. This one day bus itinerary, departing from Liberation Station in St. Helier, will take you along St. Aubin’s Bay (watch out for Elizabeth Castle, out at sea, along the way!) to the pretty fishing village of St. Aubin’s then onwards to the iconic beaches of Portelet and St. Brelade. If you’re feeling lively en route back to St. Helier, make another stop off in St. Aubin’s for a drink or two at one of the harbourside bars or restaurants.
This part of the island is well-served with bus routes, with some routes running every 15 minutes. If you’re planning to use buses as your primary mode of transport whilst visiting the island, it’s worth checking out Liberty Bus’ ‘Discover Jersey’ passes, which offer great value one, two, three and seven day passes, allowing you the freedom to hop on and off as many buses as you like. Reduced services may operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays, so make sure to check the Liberty Bus timetable before you travel.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your pass and get exploring…
Highlights
- Grab a morning coffee and explore the pretty fishing village of St. Aubin
- Brave the steps down (and back up!) from pretty Portelet Bay, a gorgeous spot for a dip, ice cream or pizza from Portelet Bay Cafe
- Hire a deck chair and chill at St. Brelade’s Bay, walk the cliffpath around to Beauport Bay or hire a kayak to explore the coastline
- Stop in St. Aubin’s for a drink or two on your way back to St. Helier
Liberation Station to St. Aubin's Village.
This morning, you’ll be heading to the pretty fishing village of St. Aubin, just a short bus ride (approx 20 minutes) from Liberation Station. Before you set off on your journey, there are plenty of options for a quick coffee in St. Helier to fuel you for your adventure. Once you reach St. Aubin, you’ll be happy exploring by foot with independent shops, cafes and restaurants dotted around the harbour and village.
1. Fuel up for your adventure.
If coffee is the order of the day before you jump on your first bus, then St. Helier has plenty of spots to fuel up. The Royal Yacht Hotel has a fabulous outdoor terrace with plenty of opportunities for people watching and The Pavillion, right next to Liberation Station, serves up creative brunch-styles dishes and great coffee. Or pop one of the other local hotspots like Cargo, The Yard, Dandy or Locke’s if you were after some quick, quality caffeine and croissants to go.
2. Explore St. Aubin.
There are plenty of bus options available to reach St. Aubin. Jump on the 9, 12A, 14 or 15 and you’ll reach this special fishing village in just over 20 minutes. If you fancy a spot of brekkie overlooking St. Aubin’s Bay, hop off at St. Aubin’s.
There’s lots to explore around the harbour and village. Check out the independent shops and jewellers like Number 1 and Lisa Le Brocq Jewellery, stop for a spot of tea at the historic Somerville Hotel with fabulous views overlooking the harbour or, in the summer months on Saturdays, have a wander around the Genuine Jersey Market in front of the Town Hall.
St. Aubin to Portelet and / or St. Brelade's Bay.
Once you’ve had a chance to have a wander around St. Aubin, plan to take the 12A bus heading west. This route gives you the option to stop off at pretty Portelet Bay (there is a short walk from the bus stop and then a fairly serious set of stairs down – and back up! – from the beach) or head directly to popular St. Brelade’s Bay, a golden, sandy beach peppered with hotels, cafes and restaurants.
1. Portelet Bay.
If you’re planning to stop off at Portelet Bay, get off the 12A bus at the Ouaisné South bus stop. From here, it’s about a 12 minute walk along the road to the top of Portelet Bay and then a further few minutes walk down to the bay. Even at low tide, the water doesn’t retreat too far at Portelet, so a dip is possible at most times of day. There is also a recently launched Snorkel Trail for the adventurous (bring your own snorkel!) The Portelet Bay Cafe also serves up delicious pizzas (takeaway and sit on the beach, or eat in the restaurant) and ice creams. If you fancy a cold pint after the walk back up the steps from the beach, the Portelet Inn is a fabulous, traditional pub with great views from the outdoor area and friendly service.
2. St. Brelade's Bay.
You can either get the 12A bus directly from St. Aubin to St. Brelade’s Bay and skip the stop at Portelet. Or if you’re planning a stop at Portelet, return to the Ouaisne South bus stop and catch the 12A from here. St. Brelade’s is a popular beach with locals and tourists alike. For the active and adventurous, you can walk across to Ouaisné Bay if the tide is low, or follow the coastal path around to beautiful Beauport Bay. If you prefer to explore by water, why not hire a kayak or paddle board from Absolute Adventures or Jono’s Watersports?
For a more leisurely time, simply hire a deckchair from Sunnyside Deckchairs or indulge in a spot of late lunch or early dinner at one of the many beachside restaurants like The Beach Club, The Crab Shack or sit on the Terrace at L’Horizon. It’s also worth wandering along to the pretty church at the far end of the bay, a spot much beloved by local artist and freedom fighter Claude Cahun.
St. Brelade's Bay to St. Helier (via St. Aubin).
There are a few buses you can take directly from St. Brelade to St. Helier. The 12A and and 14 buses depart from just outside the L’Horizon Hotel. To catch the number 15, you’ll need to walk up Mont Gras d’eau and catch the bus along the main road ‘La Rue de Genets.’ If you’ve had your fill of excitement for the day, just take the bus all the way back to St. Helier. If not, all these buses pass through St. Aubin where you can stop off for a drink or two.
St. Aubin's come evening time.
St. Aubin’s is a bustling little place, especially on a weekend evening. If you’re not completely exhausted after your day’s adventuring, it’s the perfect place to stop off for a drink overlooking the pretty harbour. There are plenty of fabulous spots to choose from including enotèca, The Boat House, The Tenby and The Old Courthouse. For a truly local experience, check out The Trafalgar Inn, which often has live music and sometimes karaoke plus live sports on multiple screens.
Once you’ve had your fill of St. Aubin, simply hop back on one of the many buses that pass through heading back to St. Helier.
