First holiday with a baby

[QueenKong]

We are thinking of the channel islands in early September. Then we can load the car up with baby paraphernalia and get the ferry. DS will be 15 months. We have never been though, are they nice? Enough to do? Tbh, we just want a break and a change of air, and I love the sea.

Would you recommend Jersey or Guernsey? We are looking for self catering lets so any recommendations would be great.

Sounds lovely :) DH and I went to Guernsey when I was pregnant with DS and had a great time. There is plenty to do. Between us, we did surfing, kayaking, mini golf and lots and lots of cycling.

My parents took my brother and I when we were about 3 and 5. As far as I remember we spent most of the time at the beach (lots of rock pools and sand) and visiting the Little Chapel, which I loved for some reason. It is so tiny! I would also recommend taking the boat over to Herm for a day. The beaches there are gorgeous and you can walk right round the island in less than 2 hours.

For self-catering I don't have any recommendations (we went camping with my parents and I wouldn't recommend the self-catering accommodation DH and I stayed at) but there are lots of reviews here and elsewhere on the web. You can't really go wrong location-wise as the island is so small it's quick and easy to get from one side to the other.

Also consider Alderney but you will need to fly. Day trips to Herm and Sark are a great day out. If you have the car stay on the west coast of Guernsey for easy access to the beach. South coast is steep paths down to rocky coves and little parking. Parking in St Peter Port is a nightmare. I imagine Jersey is the same. Too many people, not enough space.
Jersey's bigger so more to do but both have plenty of tourist attractions.

lovely place to go. make sure it's mid september when all the children are back at school (first week seems to have a lot of stragglers) - weather usually good then and crowds gone . recommend a visit to jersey zoo - it is FANTASTIC! look on owners direct or holiday lettings for a good choice of places to stay

Jersey and guernsey are very overcrowded compared to Alderney. Are you near Southampton airport? Flights to Alderney are all from there, you should consider that if you're looking for empty beaches and a laid back time