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Alderney's Beaches
Alderney is surrounded by dazzling, golden, sandy bays and clear seas the ideal combination for beach-loving families. Youngsters can dig holes to Australia, make giant sand castles and have a thoroughly good time simply and safely messing about, while parents soak up some sun and enjoy the peace.
Many of Alderney's beaches are ideal for watersports, particularly sailboarding and surfing, and all have one thing in common they are clean, quiet and, above all, blissfully uncrowded. Access to any of these beaches is easy and you will not have any problems parking your bicycle, moped, buggy or car. No need to rise early to reserve your square footage of space on this island - there's plenty for everyone. Take your choice, but don't bring your dog. In the interest of public hygiene, dogs and horses are banned from most of the island's beaches from 1st May to 30th September.
Braye Bay - Sheltered by Alderney's famous Breakwater, which stretches three quarters of a mile out to sea, this is the best sand castle beach, a few minutes' walking distance from town.
Bordered on one side by hostelries and hotels, and an imposing Victorian fort on the other, beaches don't come much more family-friendly than this one clean, safe and uncrowded.
All the shipping coming in and out of the Island can be watched from the wide, sandy beach. Fishing boats ply from the Quay and the Inner Harbour. Yachts have moorings here and sailing races are often held in the bay; so is the Daft Raft Race in Alderney Week. Braye Bay is the favourite place for water skiing and wind surfing. The dunes provide comfortable resting places and launch pads for high jumpers.
Longis Bay - For the under fives, Longis Bay is the ideal beach. Located on the Island's south- east coast , it has a wide, half-mile sandy beach facing south, protected from the north winds by a substantial relic of the German Occupation; a long high wall (to prevent troop landings) which absorbs the heat of the sun and makes an ideal back rest. It is bounded to the left by the causeway to Raz Island, a source of attractive little shells (especially yellow periwinkles) and to the right by the Nunnery.
A small child is completely safe in the middle of this beach; good sand for digging (and fishermen dig for bait here), shallow rock pools inhabited by shrimps and plenty of space for beach games. The water is generally warmer here than at any other beach, especially when a spring tide comes in over hot sand, and the slope into the sea is gentle.
Corblets - Corblets Beach is the choice for families with children of all ages and is popular with good swimmers. It's also the best beach for board-surfing.
Corblets Bay faces North but is protected from east winds by the high cliffs below Fort Corblets which forms the right hand boundary. At high tide the rocks on the left cut off this bay from adjoining Arch Bay. A flight of steps gives a fairly steep access from the cliff. The other way down at the Fort end is easier but big stones swept up against the sandbagged wall must be negotiated before gaining the firm and beautiful sand, ideal for cricket and beach games.
Small children will be well occupied playing in a low rocky area with natural pools replenished at high tide. This is one of the best swimming beaches, (some residents swim from here all year round). At high tide diving is possible from rocks below Fort Corblets. If the sea is rough, there is safe board-surfing when conditions are right.
Arch Bay - Favoured by families with young children, this small sheltered beach is separated from Corblets Bay by a rocky promontory which isolates it from the other at high tide. It is connected to the Camp Site behind Saye Bay by a tunnel with an arched entrance. This passage was once used to convey vraic (seaweed) from the beach.
Large rocks provide shelter and a little privacy at both sides of the beach with a safe and sandy playground in the middle, sloping gently to an unthreatening sea. There are rocks to climb with rock pools and shallow inlets. Swimming is safe. The approach is down a grassy bank, easily traversed. A green grass and flower plateau gives an alternative picnic place.
Birdwatching on Alderney
Alderney is a magnet for birdwatchers. The islands proximity to France means that species found on mainland Europe but not in Britain, are sometimes seen here. The Island is famous for its seabirds, especially the gannets. About 7000 pairs nest on the Channel Islands two gannetries, Ortac and Les Etacs.
Puffins and fulmars are summer visitors, whilst guillemots live on Alderney all year round and breed on the island.
Burhou Island, just 2 miles NW from Braye Harbour, is a bird sanctuary. The island, owned by the States, has a small hut containing rough accommodation and can be rented for a small sum. It is closed from March to July to protect puffins and storm petrels on the small rocky island during these months.
Alderney Society Museum
The Alderney Societys official bird recorder is Mark Atkinson whose annual Ornithological Report published below will provide you with a seasonal account of Alderneys feathered residents and visitors. He can be contacted on atkinson@cwgsy.net
The Alderney Societys official bird recorder is Mark Atkinson whose annual Ornithological Report published below will provide you with a seasonal account of Alderneys feathered residents and visitors. He can be contacted on atkinson@cwgsy.net
The museum was started in 1966 and at the start of the UK registration of museums it gained fully registered status at the first attempt. It is also a member of the Association of Independent Museums. In the UK Museums, Libraries and Archives Commissions regional councils, the Alderney Society Museum is one of the Channel Island museums associated with the South West Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
The museums collections are concerned exclusively with Alderney, and cover geology, archaeology, the natural environment and social history, including the British garrisons of the 18th to 20th centuries and the German military occupation of 1940 to 1945.
Of particular interest are exhibits relating to Iron Age burial urns and rotary quern making, the building of Braye Harbour and associated defensive forts and gun batteries by the British government, and the discovery of the remains of a wreck of the Elizabethan period.
The museum is open in the morning daily and on weekday afternoons between Easter and the end of October.
Alderney Railway
The Channel Islands' only working railway - which, in 1997, celebrated its 150th birthday - runs from the harbour up to the north-east coast and back again. The railway line was inaugurated by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The diesel engine pulls former London Underground carriages along a scenic coastal route before cutting across country towards Mannez Quarry and the nearby Mannez Lighthouse. It's a popular attraction and always runs bang on time. This train and the little Wickhams can also be chartered. For bookings call : +44 (0)1481 823580
Boat Trips
Boat Trips Around the Island Two small vessels, both licensed to carry up to 12 passengers, with experienced skippers, will take you on a sea journey around Alderney's dramatic coastline, past Burhou island, the birds sanctuary, where puffins breed, and the Gannets Rock and along the South and East coast. The journey lasts approximately 2 hours and is subject to weather and sea conditions. You can also charter these boats for a trip to Sark, Herm or Guernsey, or even France. But if you are heading for France, don't forget your passport.
Lady Maris – licensed to carry 12 passengers. Tel +44 (0)7781 101 971
“Alderney Felix” licensed to carry 12 passengers. Organises angling trips
For reservations call Tel: +44 (0)7781 113 099
For reservations call Tel: +44 (0)7781 113 099