Fermain Bay is one of few pebble beaches in Guernsey, and for us that’s a blessing, as picnics on pebble beaches mean no sand in the food! This stunning beach is nestled in the picturesque Fermain Valley and is well worth a visit whilst in Guernsey.
Location
Fermain Bay is located on Guernsey’s east coast in the parish of St Martin, just south of St Peter Port, at the bottom of the picturesque Fermain Valley.
There are 3 ways to access Fermain Bay and I hope this will help you plan how best to get to this great little beach…
Fermain Lane Route
Fermain Lane is a winding steep road off Le Route De Sausmarez (there is a convenient bus stop on the main road close to the turn off into Fermain Lane). Fermain Valley Hotel is situated on this lane and there is a scenic footpath from the hotel leading down to the beach or alternatively walkers can follow the road all the way down. Returning from Fermain Bay this way is not for the feint hearted, it is very steep and, in my opinion, relentless! I would be tired out taking this route and my girls would have no chance!
Calais Lane Route
An easier walk down to the beach, and the one we use with the girls, is from Calais Lane, off Route de Blanches. There is a bus stop at the entrance to Calais Lane, hop on the Jerbourg bus and the driver will be able to tell you where to get off.
Walk down Calais Lane for a few minutes and you will get to a sharp left bend in the road. On the right you will see a footpath called Gypsy Lane. Keep walking round the bend and take the road on the right signed Calais, this is a short road that leads to the footpath to Fermain Bay (the footpath is signed).
The footpath is quite narrow and not suitable for a buggy, and we always find it muddy no matter what the weather or time of year! The path has some breathtaking view points, our favourite panoramic view is from the benches you get to after only being on the footpath for a few minutes.
The footpath is a mixture of steps and sloping path and takes us about 10 minutes to reach the beach. We have been on the footpath with a toddler who managed it, she just needed carrying up some of the steps on the way back as they are quite deep and tricky to climb with little legs. Our girls don’t mind the walk back as there are a few benches which they race to reach before us.
St Peter Port Footpath Route
There is a footpath from Fermain Bay which leads to St Peter Port and when you’re at Fermain Bay you will see lots of walkers coming from the footpath. We have done it once and it’s a great walk with lots to see including Bluebell Wood, Clarence Battery and the Bathing Pools however it’s not short and took us well over an hour (around 1 hour, 40 mins). The route itself is good with lots of ups and downs along the path, lots of benches to get your breath back and lots of photo opportunities.
The Beach
Fermain Bay is one of the harder Guernsey beaches to get to, however, it is worth the effort thanks to it being a beautiful pebble beach with clear blue water alongside a fantastic beach café.
The beach itself is sheltered by high cliffs on either side making it a great spot to avoid Northerly and Westerly winds. The water quality is excellent making it the perfect choice for sea swimming and for those using paddle boards/ kayaks, however, note that the sea is always particularly cold at Fermain Bay, and we find it too cold to enter the water without a wetsuit even on hot sunny days.
High Tide
At high tide it is still possible to be on the beach as water rarely comes all the way to the back wall.
A little way down the beach to the left-hand side (when looking from the slipway) are a set of steps that are accessible off the Fermain Bay to St Peter Port footpath. These are a popular place for sunbathing and for jumping into the sea at high tide.
Low Tide
At low tide there is sand on the beach thanks to how far out the water goes. To the left of the beach (when looking out from the café) lots of rocks are exposed and the girls absolutely love looking for crabs under the rocks. Little ones need to be careful though because, thanks to the seaweed, the rocks can be incredibly slippery.
Facilities
The Beach Café at Fermain Bay is not your average beach café. It has a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and the menu ranges from milkshakes to champagne! Due to the fantastic food and location it is very popular for breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day, however, it isn’t cheap.
There is seating inside and outside, and they provide blankets for outside seating when it’s chilly. We’ve had bacon rolls from here are they were amazing. Note that the portions are very large so you might be paying £13 for a sandwich but it could be shared amongst two people.
There are toilet facilities next to the beach café and a water fountain with cups, and we have been told it is possible to park at the café with a disabled badge.
Fermain Bay has always been a favourite of ours because it was the first beach we visited when we came to Guernsey. Some days we find the pebbles a welcome break from sand, however, they are hard to walk on without shoes! Whether we bring a picnic, or enjoy food from the fantastic beach café, we always enjoy our time at Fermain.
Address
Fermain Lane, St Martin, Guernsey, GY1 1ZZ
Bus Route
91, 92, 93, 94, 95
Dogs On Fermain Beach
Dogs are banned on the beach at Fermain Bay between 1st May and 30th September, however, they are welcome at the café.
