La Grand Havre is a wide bay on Guernsey’s Northwest coast that encompasses a number of beaches: Rousse, which is great for swimming and has a fantastic kiosk, Le Picquerel, a small sheltered sandy beach, Les Amarreurs, a picturesque small harbour with a playground behind the beach and Ladies Bay and Chouet, which are beautiful adjoining family-friendly beaches. With excellent facilities across the bay from kiosks, restaurants, lots of parking and a footpath that links the whole bay, Le Grand Havre is well worth a visit.
Location
Situated on Guernsey’s Northwest coast, Le Grand Havre is a wide bay that encompasses a number of beautiful beaches. Starting at the Rousse Headland, Le Grand Havre encompasses Rousse, Le Picquerel, Less Amarreurs, then Ladies Bay and Chouet.
There are a number of parking places around the bay, off the coast road. At Rousse there is parking at the end of Les Dicqs, past the Peninsula Hotel and past the Rousse kiosk. At Le Picquerel the parking is behind the beach, requiring a walk up a grass verge to get to the beach. Les Amarreurs and Ladies Bay shares a large parking area and there is a parking area to the right of Chouet Beach.
Rousse
Rousse, located just on from Port Soif and Port Grat, has lots to offer. With stunning views of the fishing boats bobbing in the water, the Rousse Tower and Battery to explore, a footpath leading you round the coast, great swimming off the stone wall and a welcoming kiosk.
Le Picquerel
North of Rousse is Le Picquerel, a small sheltered beach with soft white sand and lovely clear seawater. It’s a quiet spot that is good for a swim at high tide thanks to the gentle slope into the sea.
Parking sits behind the beach with access to the beach by walking up the grass verge. The beach is a beautiful sight when you get to the top.
The footpath behind the beach takes you left to Rousse and right to Les Amarreurs.
Le Grand Havre Kiosk
Following the coast road (La Route De L’islet) on from Le Picquerel you will come to a great beach kiosk behind another sandy beach. From here you have lovely views over La Grand Havre Bay. There is a large parking area next to the kiosk and a footpath from here takes you to Les Amarreurs.
Les Amarreurs
Les Amarreurs is a picturesque harbour at the western end of L’Ancresse Common. This pretty beach offers soft sand, clear water and a stone jetty that is great for jumping off. With plenty of parking behind the beach, a kiosk, toilets and the only beachside play area on the island, this is a great spot for a family beach trip.
Ladies Bay and Chouet
The adjoining bays of Ladies Bay and Chouet offer soft white sand, crystal-clear water, rock climbing, rock pooling and excellent facilities, making them another great family beach choice. See separate Chouet and Ladies Bay page for full details.
Situated off Mont Cuet Road, on the edge of L’Ancresse Common, and they mark the end of the west coast. The only point to note, is that they are located very close to the islands landfill site, so if there is a northerly wind, you might want to give Chouet a miss because the smell can be overwhelming, however, a simple walk down the beach to Ladies Bay and you will be fine. This doesn’t often happen so don’t let it put you off this lovely family-friendly beach.
There is ample parking at Chouet, to the right of the beach, just off the coast road. Ladies Bay is located next to Les Amarreurs Beach with a large parking area for both beaches. There are also places to get food, with a beach Kiosk, restaurant and toilets at Chouet and the Silly Cow kiosk at Ladies Bay, along with toilets and the play park.
Address
Route De Picquerel/ La Route De L’islet, St Sampson, Guernsey
Dogs On Le Grand Havre Beaches
Dogs are welcome on all Le Grand Havre beaches year-round.