West Coast

Acting as a powerful magnet for swimmers, sunbathers, surfers and seekers of solitude, Guernsey's sun drenched west coast is where the simple pleasures of beach life can be enjoyed to the full. During the daytime beautiful bays like Vazon, Cobo and L'Eree bring thousands onto the fine yellow sand and into the clear blue water. And as the day draws to an end hundreds more head west to take in the wonderful sunsets while savouring a barbecue on the beach, fish and chips on the sea wall or a bar in a busy coast road pub.

The twin beaches of Cobo and Grand Rocques are firm family favourites, with plenty of sand for fun and games, shallow rock pools for the kids to explore and lovely water for bathing or paddling. Within easy walking distance are homely tearooms and beach cafes that serve traditional Guernsey cream teas, sandwiches made with fresh local crab and delicious home made cakes.

The biggest beach Vazon attracts surfers by the score and when the bay's famed Atlantic swell produces the right conditions they descend to the beach in their droves to ride the waves. Other bays enjoyed by the surfing and sailboarding set are Portinfer and Port Soif to the north and Perelle to the south, while just inland from there is a golf and country club that caters for sporting passions of a more sedate nature.

Gently graded coastal paths provide cyclists with a traffic free run for half the length of Guernsey's western coastline, from L'Ancresse to Grand Rocques. Heading further south the striking pink Guernsey granite gives way to the shingle banks and wetlands of a nature reserve that ranks as a wildlife habitat of international importance. Part of this unspoiled conservation area is Lihou, a tiny island linked to the rest of Guernsey by a tidal causeway that is completely covered at high tide. Administered by a charitable trust, Lihou is where world-weary people go to recharge their batteries and to escape the rigours of modern life. Whether you want to get away from it all or have fun in the sun, all roads lead to Guernsey's magical west coast.