We stopped off at Port Soif beach on our first family trip to Guernsey in May 2018 and fell in love with it, we felt like we were in the Caribbean! As with many place names in Guernsey, I spent many months pronouncing Port Soif incorrectly, it’s Port Swoff.
Location
Port Soif is situated on the west coast of Guernsey, just North of Cobo. The beach is easy to access off the Portinfer Coast Road, with the beach café (Surfside) signposted from the road.
There is plenty of parking next to Surfside and also at the end of the road giving great views over the beach and rocks.
The Beach
Port Soif is a picturesque horse-shoe shaped beach with soft sand and crystal-clear water. The bank of rocks at the back of the beach provides really good shelter and also makes for fun rock climbing for the kids.
There are 17 steps to climb down to get onto the beach…
High Tide
Unlike a lot of Guernsey beaches, Port Soif is best at high tide. After visiting the beach, by chance, at high tide on our first visit, we made a second trip another day at low tide, and there was no water in the bay, just rocks!
Around high tide the beach is fantastic for kids, perfect for paddling with soft sand underfoot. For those wanting a swim the water quality is rated as excellent, as highlighted on the information board at the entrance to the beach.
Low Tide
The bay is unrecognisable at low tide, the tide goes out so far that you would need to attempt a significant walk across the rocks to reach the water. Kids can still build sandcastles, collect shells, climb the rocks at the back of the beach but just don’t promise a swim in the sea!
Surfside at Port Soif
A few minutes walk from the beach is Surfside Cafe, which is up there amongst our favourite beach cafes, the food is always really good and reasonably priced and the staff are very friendly. There are a number of tables outside with umbrellas for those wanting shade.
The cafe serves hot and cold food and a selection of cakes and ice creams. The cafe also has a little shop selling beach goodies…buckets, spades, beach toys etc. The cafe is set back from the bay so you won’t get a sea view when you’re seated but it means it is very sheltered which is great on windy days.
There are toilets behind the cafe and a large sanded area which the girls love to play in whilst waiting for their food.
Footpath
There is a gravel footpath behind the cafe (beyond the sandpit), which is a lovely flat walk along the coast, taking you past the Guernsey Clay Target Shooting Club and the views are gorgeous.
If you follow the footpath in the other direction, around the back of Port Soif Beach, it is a lovely walk to Grandes Rocques Fort and Beach.
We thoroughly recommend a trip to Port Soif whether you’re looking for a beach to spend the day on or quick stop off at Surfside Cafe and a look at the stunning views.
Address
Port Soif Coast Road, Grandes Rocques, Castel
Bus Routes
41, 91, 92
Dogs on Port Soif Beach
Dogs are banned on Port Soif beach between 1st May and 30th September.
