A shore thing

With 48 miles of coastline, you could spend an entire weekend exploring different Jersey beaches and still not see them all. Antonia Windsor has the pick of the ones you really shouldn’t miss

- Antonia Windsor

FROM craggy coves to sweeps of sand, each of Jersey’s beaches has its own personality, often brought to life by a colourful cafe selling crab sandwiches, a looming tower left over from the Normans or sand tinged pink by the granite rocks. Head north for small fishing harbours framed by flower-strewn cliffs, west for wild waves, south for soft sand and east for dramatic low tides— but make sure you visit these five favourites.

Best for the morning sun

The large sandy expanse of Grouville Bay, in the east of the island, is best enjoyed at the beginning of the day, when the sun beats down on the majestic Mont Orgueil castle and bounces off the bobbing boats in the harbour to the north. The shallow water is good for paddling tots and, when they tire of tickling their toes, they can climb and swing in the seafront playground. The childfree might consider a round of golf at Royal Jersey Golf Club (www.royaljersey.com), which edges the sand.

There are two vans, evenly spaced along the beach, for a bacon roll or crab sandwich and if you get bored of lying on the powdery soft sand, you can book waterskiing, wakeboarding or a speedboat trip from the concession on the beach. This is one of Jersey’s most accessible beaches and you can book a free, specially designed wheelchair from Beachability (www.beachability.org). The No 1 bus from St Helier stops at the beach car park or further along at Gorey Harbour.

Best for all-day fun