Channel Island Head To Head: Guernsey v Jersey

There are a lot of visitors to the Channel Islands, so I decided to put Guernsey and Jersey, the largest two islands, in the spotlight to see which one was the best travel destination.

Both Jersey and Guernsey have golden beaches, gourmet restaurants and glorious scenery by the bucket load – so where should you spend your holiday?

Well, have a read of this article and see what you think.

Round 1: Best of the beaches

The islands both perform strongly in round 1, getting this insight off to a cracking start. Jersey weighs in with the likes of La Haule and Green Island beaches – idyllic stretches of white sand ideal for sunbathing and swimming – and finishes off its assault with a handful of idyllically secluded coves. It also has a classy and facility-packed beach resort up its sleeve in the shape of St Brelade’s Bay. 

Guernsey pulls no punches either, bringing out the tropical-style west coast beaches of Grandes Rocques, Vazon and Cobo as well as the remote but glorious Moulin Huet Bay. Within day trip distance, too, is Shell Beach on the pint-sized island of Herm: a sizzling strip of sand made entirely out of crushed shells. 

The Channel Islands are among the sunniest spots in the British Isles, so you'll have more than a fighting chance of enjoying fabulous weather whichever destination you choose to visit.

The winner is… Each island has a full hand of Caribbean-esque beaches to its name, making this round just too close to call.

Round 2: Gourmet food

Guernsey has plenty to be proud of in the foodie stakes, with a smattering of exquisite bistros such as Fermain Beach Café (Fermain Bay) and Auberge du Val (Sous L'Eglise, St Saviour) to point to. The island also boasts locally famous Beetons Fish and Chip Shop (Pitronnerie Road), which does one of the best versions of this classic dish you’ll have tasted. 

Jersey, though, cranks the competition up a notch with a remarkable total of four Michelin-starred eateries. Shaun Rankin’s Ormer (7-11 Don Street, St Helier), the newest addition to the island’s starred restaurant selection, is a must-visit. If you are looking for something slightly more budget friendly, however, then try surfer’s favourite El Tico Beach Cantina (La Grande Route des Mielles, St Peter), which rustles up scrumptious, fuss-free food in a dining room that overlooks the sea.

The winner is… Jersey, by several Michelin stars.

Round 3: Action and adventure

They might be small in size, but both islands offer boundless opportunities for adventure and exploration. 

Guernsey woos walkers with its vertiginous coastal paths and wow-factor scenery, as well as performing strongly in the adventure stakes thanks to the amazing opportunities for surfers, kayakers, climbers and mountain bikers.

Jersey adds golf at La Moye Golf Course (La Moye, St Brelade) and Les Mielles Golf & Country Club (St Ouen's Bay, St Peter) into the mix, as well as boasting a full range of watersports and the new aMaizin! Adventure Park (La Grande Route de Saint-Pierre). 

So far, the two islands are evenly matched. But Guernsey edges ahead thanks to its easy ferry access to the smaller Channel Islands of Sark and Herm, which both lend themselves to walking, coasteering and kayaking day trips.

The winner is… It’s a tricky one, but Guernsey takes the title.

Round 4: Chic boutiques

Luxe and local are the two themes of the Channel Islands’ shopping scene, so expect to find a top selection of both high-end boutiques and fascinating little independent shops.

Shopping in Guernsey is concentrated around St Peter Port, with the cobbled High Street and its surrounding lanes hosting gems such as designer fashion stockist Nautilus (8 Mill Street) and the National Trust-owned Victorian Shop and Parlour (26 Cornet Street). Every Friday between 8.30am and 2.30pm, the Market Square is the setting for a popular fresh produce market selling everything from just-caught fish and local meat to chutneys and veggies sourced from around the island. 

Jersey has regular markets too – the long-running Central Market (Halkett Place, St Helier) and Beresford Market (Beresford Street, St Helier) are among the best – along with oodles of upmarket jewellery, fashion and artsy shops. Local favourites include Rachel’s Textiles Studio (47 La Colomberie, St Helier), The Harbour Gallery (Le Boulevard, St Aubin) and award-winning jeweller Catherine Best (Les Chenolles, St Peter).

The winner is… Jersey’s sheer choice wins out in round 4.

Round 5: Family fun

The prospect of romantic clifftop strolls, fabulous fine dining and seaside relaxation makes the Channel Islands a popular couples’ destination, but these idyllic isles also exercise a powerful draw on families. 

There’s more to see and do on Guernsey than you could possibly pack into one visit, including discovering the ancient harbour fortress of Castle Cornet (St Peter Port), go-karting with Karting Guernsey (Victoria Avenue), fun for tots at the Jungle House (Oatlands Lane) and getting hands-on with history at the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery (Candie Gardens, St Peter Port).

Jersey, on the other hand, hosts the fascinating Channel Islands Military Museum (La Grande Route Des Mielles, St Ouen), the Jersey War Tunnels (Les Charrières Malorey, St Lawrence) and the outdoors adventure-focused Creepy Valley Activity Centre (Les Ormes Golf & Leisure Village, Mont a la Brune).

The winner is… It’s another close one, but Guernsey probably packs the weightiest punch.

So who comes out on top?

It all depends on what you're looking for from a summer escape. Guernsey is a sleepy rural backwater with superlative scenery, a quaint little coastal capital and plenty of remote beaches to relax and kick back on. Jersey is larger and livelier, with more to do in terms of sightseeing and dining. 

There is no way that I would suggest one way or the other as to which of the islands is better. What one person likes, another doesn't. That said, there is nothing on either Jersey or Guernsey that you couldn't like.

So, what's the solution?

Well, my suggestion is to visit them both, and make the call for yourself.

Call To Action


If Jersey or Guernsey, or indeed any of the other Channel Islands, are destination(s) that you are considering visiting, why not email World of Transport Travel with you requirements.