Saline Bay, also known as Grandes Rocques, is one of our year-round favourites, whether it’s having picnics on the sand in the summer, watching the sunsets or wrapping up warm and climbing the rocks on a windy winters day, this is the beach that keeps on giving!
Location
Grandes Rocques is located on Guernsey’s West coast, just north of Cobo Bay.
There is ample room for parking with a car park off Rue de la Saline, and a further car park off this one, which gives closer access to the beach.
There is also parking on a narrow gravel lane off the coast road, before you get to Grandes Rocques, when travelling from the direction of Cobo. There is a small path that leads from this parking area to the beach, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can access the beach by climbing down the rocks that line the back of the beach.
Our girls love it when we park here, guess why?…
The Beach
Grandes Rocques is a beautiful beach with a large expanse of soft white sand. At low tide there is a bit of a walk if you fancy a paddle / swim, however, the exposed wet sand makes for expert level sandcastles!
At high tide there is usually ample sand on show, making this a great beach choice whatever the tide, however, it’s the wind direction that can make time on Grandes Rocques feel like an endurance test. The beach faces southwest, so if the wind is coming from the east, then Grandes Rocques will be lovely, but when the wind is coming from the southwest (straight across the Atlantic), it will be very windy!
The sunsets at Grandes Rocques can be stunning and you’ll often see people sitting on the beach at sunset taking in the beautiful view.
Access to the beach is via a few steps next to the Grandes Rocques Beach Kiosk. It is a little rocky when you first enter the beach so very little ones need to be a bit careful.
Note that dogs are allowed on Grandes Rocques year-round, which means the beach can be popular for dog owners in the summer months. If you would prefer a beach without dogs, the following beaches have a dog ban from 1st May to 30th September: Fermain, Petit Bot, L’Erée, Vazon (Northern end), Cobo, Port Soif, L’Ancresse and Pembroke.
Rock Climbing Fun
To the right of the beach kiosk is what makes this beach special for us… the rocks. Small rocks, big rocks, you name it, it’s here, nature’s playground is great fun for all ages. So, if you have family members who won’t sit still on a beach, this is a great choice. We often have one of our daughters playing in the sand and the other off climbing the rocks with Daddy (someone has to volunteer to stay with the bags, me!).
There are also German defences hidden in the rocks. I don’t advise trying to get into the bunker, my husband tried and was nearly trapped forever!
Rock Pooling
The rocks also provide excellent rock pooling at low tide, though care needs to be taken because the rocks get very slippy.
Facilities
There are excellent facilities at Grandes Rocques including a kiosk, picnic tables and public toilets.
The beach kiosk serves hot and cold food, snacks, drinks, ice creams, and if you’ve forgotten to pack a bucket and spade, not a problem, they sell a selection of beach toys. They also hire out deckchairs and windbreaks.
If we’re at Grandes Rocques and the kiosk is closed, we love getting fish and chips from Cobo Fish Bar (which is only a minutes drive down the road) and bringing it back to the beach. Nothing tastes better than eating fish and chips out of the paper!
Grandes Rocques Fort
If you look high above the beach on the right hand side, you can see Grandes Rocques Fort. The fort was constructed c.1779 and was armed with three 24 pounder guns. Today, no guns remain on site, however, there’s still lots to explore on multiple levels, especially as the fort was altered by the German occupying forces during World War II, and what remains is fascinating for both adults and kids. Our girls love looking out from the gun placements and the views are stunning.
More Rock Climbing
The area surrounding the fort is a natural playground of amazing rocks to climb. With hard and easier areas for kids of differing ages.
There is a footpath that leads from Grandes Rocques beach to the fort, however, our girls always opt to climb over the rocks instead!…
Footpath to Port Soif
The coastal path from Grandes Rocques beach takes you past the fort and on to Port Soif. The views are beautiful, and the route is mostly flat, albeit sandy behind Grandes Rocques beach.
There’s so much to do at Grandes Rocques, which is why it’s one of our favourites. A beautiful beach with great rockpooling, rock climbing and excellent facilities. When we’re on the beach we always try to save time to have a walk to Grandes Rocques Fort. From the fascinating history to the rocky terrain, our kids love it and we’re sure yours will too!
Address
Rue de la Saline, Castel, GY5 7FX
Bus Routes
41, 91, 92
Dogs On Grandes Rocques Beach
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round.
