Jersey

[Inastatus]

I’ve just booked a few days for our family of 4 including 15 year old DD and 13 year old DS. Any tips for the best things to do? Thinking of jet skiing/surfing and maybe Jersey zoo? Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

I haven't been there since 2006, so presumably things have changed, but lots of the important things will still be the same! There are so many wonderful beaches: St Ouen's spans pretty much the whole west coast and is a beautiful sandy beach; Greve de Leuq in the north west is our family's favourite; there's a lovely little beach called Petit Port in the south west which we had to ourselves the whole day. There's also the lighthouse (Corbiere) and several castles - Elizabeth Castle is on it's own sort of island and when the tide's out you can walk there, and when it's in you can take a duck boat there which can also drive across the land when the tide's out. The zoo is great. There's also lots of WWII stuff there since it was occupied - most famous are the war tunnels, I think, but we never went in them because my brothers were little at the time.

You'll have a great time - I'd love to go back someday!

Fabulous place!

Assuming things are reasonable open, this would be my to-do list

Durrell Zoo (a must)
Surfing at St Ouan
Kayaking trip
A days bike hire - stop off at La Hougue Bie
Visit Gorey Castle (excellent example of Norman) and Elizabeth Castle (by causeway form St Helier)
Day at a beach - St Brelade (quite busy, has jet skis etc), Grouville (northern end, near Gorey Village), Grève de Lecq or Plémont
Perhaps one of the guided walks - see if the bioluminescence is on

We love jersey and are going the first week of August. I second @AuntieStella list and would also add Samar’s manor for a chilled couple of hours and the war tunnels for some history if any of you are into that.

We are looking at the same. You may already know but we didn’t until today. There are COVID test/quarantine measures currently in place before you can visit.

When have you booked for? Have you checked what the test/quarantine regulations are currently?

I also enjoyed the underground hospital

Thanks all. Some good suggestions.
@Rafalsthekingofclay - we are going in 3 weeks and yes, I did check restrictions before booking. We can either have a Covid test before we go up to 72 hours before departure and take proof of negative result or we have it on arrival at the port. They will get results to us within 12 hours but we don’t need to self-isolate whilst waiting - just maintain social distance.

Hello from Jersey! Yay THANK YOU for choosing our Island for your holiday, we are so badly in need of visitors this summer 🙂

A few suggestions below, apologies if I'm repeating previous answers;

Jersey Zoo is a must-do. It's all open again now and running as normal with the exception of just a couple of the smallest indoor enclosures. Keeper talks are back on and they're brilliant.

For a boat trip you could either go high adrenaline with a Jersey Seafaris RIB trip out to the offshore reefs or north coast caves, or a slow scenic south coast tour with Jersey Bus & Boat Tours. Or both!! They are both currently offering socially distanced sections to book for families. Both companies offer dishy crew for your visual pleasure 😉

If you haven't been before an Island Tour is a good way to get an overview, I recommend Jersey Bus Tours (they might have a tour & boat combo deal?) otherwise Tantivy Blue Coach.

Gorey & Elizabeth Castle are both open and well worth visiting, and La Hogue Bie is fascinating, it's one of the oldest man made structures on earth (older than the pyramids!).

You won't be able to miss the bright neon yellow electric bikes that are everywhere, you just need to download the Evie app to hire them (bring your own helmets) and they can be picked up and dropped off practically anywhere.

You can hire jet ski in St Aubins bay from Geoff's Sea Sport Centre, and kayaks/paddle boards in St Brelades Bay (where yet more dishy individuals in budgie smugglers will rent you a lounger and a parasol).

Surf lessons are at St Ouens Bay and there's loads of cool places for lunch or dinner down there too. The Watersplash and El Tico are favourites.

The War Tunnels are fascinating and currently open Thursday-Sunday, masks are required as it's all indoors.

If you're able to get space on a Seymour Tower or Bioluminescent walk with Jersey Walk Adventures then you absolutely won't regret it. The latter is one of the best experiences I've had anywhere in the world.

Our lockdown has been a bit looser and shorter than that in the UK and you'll find it almost back to 'normal' here although we are still officially distancing by 1metre where possible. Some restaurants are accepting pre-booking only while others will take walk-ins.

Covid test results are promised back within 48 hours but I believe the current average is 25 hours, and some have been back in 14. Visitors are asked to isolate as much as possible until they have their result, some businesses (ie: Seafaris) need a negative result before admitting you, but the beaches, cliff paths, bikes etc are all yours to enjoy safely. If you are booking anything like a boat trip or planning on a castle or war tunnels I'd go for closer to the end of your stay, to be on the safe side.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions and I'd love to know how you find it! x

I second all of what PP said above!

Ref the Zoo, take a packed lunch if you can rather than buy there in the cafe. It’s limited choice and quite pricey. They have absolutely stunning grounds though so perfect for picnics.

What sort of food do you like OP? I can recommend some nice places to eat if you give me an idea of what you like

If covid wasn't around I'd be advising the bus service. It's fab. Get a week long pass from the main depot in st Helier. We went all over the island.
My kids loved Mount Orgueil castle (I've probably spelt that wrong). The zoo was brilliant and try and listen to the talks they do.

We stayed at a hotel that had a surfing school. It was called a flow rider. My daughter loved it (and the teenagers did too). I think you can get day passes and don't need to be a hotel resident (Merton hotel). There was also a park next to the hotel that had an outdoor cinema there the week we stayed.

We are going to the Merton on 1st August with our two boys. We love Jersey!

Slightly concerned that we end up near a positive result person on the plane and are put into 14 days isolation but since there has only few 4 positives out of 4500+ cases at the borders we are going and keeping everything crossed!

That should say 'has only been 4 cases'

Have a great holiday @Pootle40! I was speaking to a member of staff from Seymour Hotels who own the Merton today, please know that they are so grateful for each and every guest who has chosen to stay with them this summer.

I've been heartbroken for them as this is their centenary year as a Hotel operator and they had so many grand plans now largely gone to waste. The Seymours are a lovely family and work very hard to look after their guests and staff. Do try a glass of their centenary wine while you're there, it's lovely! x

Thank you @HowFastIsTooFast. We will certainly do that. We can't wait as hear so many good stories and reviews of the hotel. I know the boys will love it there.

Thanks to everyone who has suggested where to go - much appreciated.

@HowFastIsTooFast - thanks for all that valuable information and for being welcoming 😊 I was a bit worried if the islanders would want outsiders but I feel a bit more reassured now.

@thelkabog - we love all sorts of food but Italian or Indian would be favourites. Thanks 😊

I really want to get to Jersey, but don’t think we will manage it this year. Our boys are currently 4 and 6 - what age would you say is best to get the most out of it. They’re probably too young for surf lessons!

@Inastatus There are grumbles of course, you’ll find them anywhere, but they’re largely upset with our government, not the visitors themselves. Every single person who works directly or indirectly in hospitality and tourism will be delighted to see you 🙂 For great Italian try Ristorante Italia on Colomberie in St Helier, old fashioned bistro style but with great value great tasting Italian food. For Indian the Noya Shapla in St. Aubin is tough to beat.

@Flamingolingo All of the above that I listed, with the addition of the Amazin Adventure Park and maybe the exception of the War Tunnels! Also for the ages of your two, a bucket, spade, net and the rock pools at Plemont or Ouaisne!

@HowFastIsTooFast - thanks again. Looking forward to the eye candy too 😅

We really enjoyed salty dog in st aubin for food- their Penang curry and the cheesecake are bloody amazing!!!

We just came back from a week at the Merton and it was fantastic - it felt great as Jersey feels like normality! The weather was out of this world and the hotel was fab. The only notable difference was the staff serving you at the buffet rather than helping yourself but it was no big deal. The staff there are wonderful. The Covid test at the airport was a breeze to be honest and from landing to getting in our hire car was no more than an hour. Test result was txt 25 hours later.

@howfastistoofast the centenary Sauvignon blanc was superb - my drink of choice at dinner !

I'm so glad you had a good time @Pootle40 !!

I was at St Brelades beach last week with a few holidaymakers around me and I was wondering if you and the OP had had your holidays yet!

@HowFastIsTooFast we probably walked passed each other - we were there Wednesday and Thursday !