Swimming in Sark

Sea bathing in Sark is a wonderful experience. The water is clean, clear… and, it has to be admitted, rather chilly. The water is at its warmest in August and September when it can reach 18 degrees Celsius.

Safety

Reasonable care must be taken at all times. You swim at your own risk. There are no beach guards and no safe bathing flags. At high tide, expect to find yourself in deep water quite quickly though at low tide you can wade out quite a way for a swim at Dixcart and Derrible. You are not advised to swim outside the bay unless you are a very confident swimmer.

Children should be supervised at all times, and please remember that lilos and other blow up beach toys can quickly be blown out to sea in an offshore wind.

Snorkelling

This is very enjoyable in Sark as the water is so clear. As well as many colourful varieties of seaweed, it is common to see wrasse, mullet, pollack and other fish.

There is no dive school in Sark, all snorkelling is done at the persons own risk. Please note that spear fishing and the use of harpoons to hunt fish or crustacean is illegal in Sark.  It is also illegal to take any kind of shellfish by diving.

Which bay when?

One of the most fortunate things about living on a small island is that you can always go to a bay on the lee side and get out of the prevailing wind.

State of the tide and where the sun is can also be considered. Here are just a few examples of where the locals go to swim.

Grande Greve              Lovely large sandy beach STEEP- ACCESS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Dixcart                          Best near low tide.  The easiest path down to a beach.

Derrible                        Best near low tide.  Quite a long route down (and up!) but well worth theeffort. Good snorkelling along the sides. Lots of sand in the middle.

Greve de la Ville         Best at high tide in the morning. Good snorkelling.

Port du Moulin           Best at from half tide up to half tide down. Pebbly cove. Excellent snorkelling. Go through the rock arch on the right to swim in a tiny cove around half tide.

Eperquerie Landing   A small pebbly bay just north of the landing.

Creux Harbour           Very popular with local children. Take care to keep away from boats. The only beach with a café (and toilets) nearby! Take the ‘Toast Rack’ back up the hill.

Venus Pool                   A natural rock pool big, and deep enough to swim in in Little Sark. Best two hours either side of low water. Lovely flat rocks for sun bathing but covered by the tide from half tide up to half tide down.

There are numerous other small coves and rock launching platforms which you may find. If you are jumping in, always give some prior consideration to the depth and how you are going to get out. Rocks covered with seaweed can be very slippery and a swell can make climbing out tricky.

CAUTION

Please keep to the footpaths and use only designated stiles/steps. Do not walk too close to the cliff edges or any over-hanging ledges. The Isle of Sark Administration and the private landowners cannot be held responsible for any accidents, no matter how they might be caused.

However, sea bathing in Sark is a great experience which will enhance your stay with us.