BEACHES
While Sark may not be synonymous with a ‘beach holiday destination’, or the notion of endless hours spent working up a tan on miles of golden sand, in reality it caters very well for those who like to relax on beaches – they’re simply less obvious and more discreetly situated than at the sort of destinations where you’ll be sharing every available scrap of sand with hundreds, if not thousands, of other people!
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As with so many of Sark’s hidden jewels, its beaches reveal themselves when you make a little effort, but they’re definitely worth it.
Then they vanish again at high tide, adding a little to the island’s mystery whilst ensuring that the beaches remain incredibly clean. In fact, the large tidal movements around the island mean that Sark’s beaches will be some of the cleanest you’ll ever encounter!
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Here are some of its more popular beaches, and ones you should visit if you like enjoying a relaxing afternoon on a secluded, uncrowded beach.
LA GRANDE GREVE
The beach at La Grande Greve is the largest and most popular on Sark, and perhaps most fits the ‘traditional’ image of a beach, with plenty of lovely sand and suntan appeal.
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Although being on Sark means it’s never busy in the true sense, the way a Spanish or Caribbean beach might be, as it’s one of the few sandy beaches on the island it’s likely to be most visitors’ first port of call for a beach visit.
Please note that the path down to the beach isn’t a gentle one. It is steep and was built by volunteers and is not maintained by Island Authorities, so is used at your own risk.
DIXCART BAY
Dixcart Bay is one of the easiest beaches on Sark to access – you arrive via a cliff path with some steps following a walk through the woods in Dixcart Valley.
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One of the prettiest beaches on the island, it’s a picturesque sandy beach with an arch and cave, and there’s a walking path around the cliff top. Dixcart Bay is a sand and pebble beach that’s most sandy at low tide, and which all but disappears at high tide.
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LE CREUX HARBOUR
The beach in Creux harbour is a popular one and is known as a great place to swim. Although no longer the main harbour on Sark, there is still some boating activity in the bay. Access to the beach is typically stunning, with an approach via two tunnels cut through the cliffs.
Facilities include a café and toilets nearby.
DERRIBLE BAY
This is a mainly sandy beach which also has pebbles and rocks. If you like to get up from your towel and book to go exploring from time to time this beach is ideal, since a variety of sea caves populate this headland. As the path to Derrible Bay is a little steeper than some of Sark’s other beaches, it’s almost always less busy than its neighbours, making it perfect for those who like to enjoy their beach experiences in relative solitude!
ADONIS POOL
For the agile and energetic – Adonis Pool: Scramble down the gorse and rock of the headland on a feint path to reach a platform below. Adonis Pool provides a good swim and lies on the detached rock to the south. At low tide, with the help of a partner, you can cross the gully via a boulder. This is a big leap and should not be attempted except during low tide and with a helping hand.
VENUS POOL
Though not strictly speaking a traditional beach, rather a swimming pool-sized rock pool, this little jewel is a spectacular place to swim and dive, and well worth the visit if your preferences lean more towards getting in the water than cosying up with a novel.​
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Situated south of Little Sark, Venus Pool is accessed via a tangle of paths that enhance the feeling you get of discovering a hidden gem when you arrive at it.
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