Braye Bay offers clear, calm waters sheltered by the breakwater, making them suitable for wading and swimming. If you’re looking for calm water for these activities, the bay is an obvious point of reference for your stay. The old pier at Braye Beach offers another option: at high tide, it’s suitable for jumping into the water. Conditions therefore vary by activity — wading and swimming in calm water are the focus in the bay, while jumping from the pier depends on the tide being high.

Beach days and events

Many events take place at Braye Beach in summer. These include a sandcastle competition and the Daft Raft Race during Alderney Week in August. If you’re planning a stay during this period, you can combine the beach programme with time by the water. It’s worth keeping an eye on event dates when planning; they add a specific time-related consideration to the tidal conditions at the old pier.

There are also practical points of reference nearby for breaks: several restaurants are on Braye Road and can be reached from the beach via the sand dunes. The public toilets are beneath the Braye Beach Hotel, a short walk from Braye Beach. If you’re planning to eat out, check the restaurants’ opening hours in advance.

Coastal history nearby

Fort Grosnez is nearby. It was the first of 18 Victorian forts and batteries built to defend the Braye Breakwater. This adds a historical perspective on the defences to your time by the water. The bathing options at Braye Bay and the history of the breakwater appeal to different interests, which you can take into account when choosing what to focus on.

Discover more on Guernsey

On Guernsey, Castle Cornet brings together several museum topics in one place: the castle is home to the Story of Castle Cornet, the 201 Squadron (RAF) Museum, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum and the Royal Guernsey Militia Museum. The grounds also have self-guided trails for children and a dressing-up area. Castle Cornet is a short walk from the centre of St Peter Port and offers panoramic views of St Peter Port and the neighbouring islands.

Guernsey also offers other options for swimming. The Horseshoe Pool at La Vallette is a purpose-built, U-shaped bathing pool with access for swimming in the sheltered bay. Other swimming spots on Guernsey include Port Soif and the Lihou Venus Pool. By comparison, Braye Bay is a calm-water bay sheltered by the breakwater; the Horseshoe Pool’s distinctive shape and access to the bay are part of its described bathing offer.

Those interested in places and stories from the German occupation of Guernsey can follow signposts and the VisitGuernsey app around the island. These guide visitors to relevant sites on walking, cycling or driving routes. App features may change, so check them before planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Kings Mills, Saint Peter, Saint Anne, St Martin Guernsey, Saint Sampson, Carmel.

Return to the main travel overview: Guernsey.