When we think of Jersey, a couple of things come to mind - golden sand beaches, clifftop castles, local delicacies like potatoes and oysters - and for most people, these are reasons enough to visit this island in the English Channel. But for others, and we include ourselves in this category, a holiday isn’t complete without a bit of adventure. There’s no need to write Jersey off for that reason, because there are plenty of adventurous activities to take part in here, you just have to know where to find them. The shoreline of this island isn’t made up entirely of sandy beaches, they give way to rocky headlands, sheer cliff faces and secret caves, and this is where you can get your fill of adrenaline, by coasteering.

There are a couple of things that make Jersey a fantastic place for coasteering. First of all, it’s an island, which means that it has coastlines in all directions to explore. Secondly, the coast varies hugely from one zone to the other. The wide expanses of sand that characterise the southwest of the island contrast with the rugged cliffs and coves of the north, and the castles and fortifications of the east. Finally, it’s located closer to the equator than the rest of the British Isles, so it enjoys comparatively tropical waters. To take part in a coastal exploration expedition, all you need to do is find a guide, put on a wetsuit and follow the sound of the sea. Of course, if you prefer to do a bit more research in advance, you just need to continue reading.

Where are the best places to go coasteering on Jersey?

• Greve de Lecq: This is widely regarded as the best coasteering location in Jersey - in fact, it even appears on a top ten list, compiled by Red Bull, of the best destinations for this sport in the whole of the United Kingdom! What makes this rugged part of the island’s north coast so good? Well, it’s an area where jagged ridges of rock jut out into the sea at the base of tall cliffs, creating a landscape where the waves and tide bring water up a network of channels and tidal pools. You choose your modus operandi in this area - swimming, diving, scrambling, or leaping, or a combination of all the above. There are two real highlights to a coasteering trip in this area, one is a hidden cove that can only be reached by traversing a long tunnel in the cliffs, and the other is the so-called “Rhino Jump,” a dive from a pointed rock to the water, 10 metres below.

• Gorey: This area, on the sheltered east coast of the island, is a good option for warming up to the challenges of Greve de Lecq, or just for enjoying a different part of the coastline. There are stretches of ocean for open water swimming as well as rocks to scramble up and natural diving boards to jump off. Best of all, the coasteering route gives you some fantastic views of the Mont Orgueil Castle, set on a rocky promontory at the head of Gorey Bay.

• St Brelade’s Bay: Known as one of the island’s most popular beaches for sunbathing, swimming and sandcastle making, St Brelades is also blessed with good coasteering options. There are family friendly activities around the pier, and more remote areas out of sight of the beach that have to be reached by boat, and are well worth the journey.

• Gorselands: If St Brelade’s Bay shows a softer face of the southwest of Jersey, Gorselands is its mirror image. The coasteering route here is a real challenge, with huge boulders and high cliffs, as well as stretches of open ocean that have to be swum across. When you consider that there’s nothing to stop Atlantic Swells from reaching this part of the island, you can understand why this route is reserved for adults and competent swimmers. La Corbière lighthouse is visible for much of the excursion - a scenic landmark, and a reminder of the perils of this location.

How long does this experience last?

As we’ve just told you about the daring experience on the southwesterly tip of Jersey, we’ll tell you that this is one of the longer options for coasteering on the island, taking 3 hours or more to complete. This is a long time to spend in and around the water, and combined with the tricky conditions, means that it’s not for rookies. The most common duration of an entry level coasteering experience here is more like 2 or 2.5 hours, plenty of time to enjoy the wonders of the intertidal zone. Even shorter outings of just 1.25 hours, perfect for families with young children, can be found as well, especially around St Brelades Bay.

The longest guided trip on the island starts in Jersey’s coasteering Mecca, Greve de Lecq, and takes you over 2 kilometres along the shoreline to a tight cove surrounded by high cliffs known locally as the Devil’s Hole. Getting there and back is a full day excursion, in which you’ll see all kinds of coastal scenery, and experience the changes in the tides. It’s also possible to go coasteering on a rib which carries you from one place to another, so you see more without spending all day at it.

Who can join a tour?

Guides will only take groups made up of adults who are good swimmers - able to swim around 100 metres - on the excursion at Gorselands. But that’s not to say that this activity is reserved for elite sportsmen and women. There are numerous locations that are suitable for anyone over the age of 8, while others are more appropriate for slightly older children who are more comfortable in the water. And what’s more, you don’t even need to own any specialist equipment to take part, because your guide will supply you with a wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid - you just need to bring suitable footwear.

Finally, we have to point out that it is an excellent group activity. Small family or friendship groups are welcome in Jersey, but you can also organise excursions for up to 16 people - perfect for a corporate group or a youth organisation.

Find out why oysters are so at home in this region's seas by getting in there yourself - living this experience with us!