Adventure Sailing the Channel Islands from Cornwall

Sailing the Channel Islands: an Open Water Adventure

Penzance → English Channel → St Peter Port, Guernsey → St Helier, Jersey → English Channel → Penzance

Sailing to the Channel Islands from Penzance is a proper offshore passage. The crossing to Guernsey is around 130 nautical miles, and depending on conditions and the skipper’s judgement, there may be night sailing on the crossing, with watches rotating on the English Channel. It is the kind of sailing that builds real confidence and stays in the memory long after the voyage ends.

The Channel Islands sit in waters shaped by some of the largest tidal ranges in the world, and the sailing reflects it: strong currents, clear passages between rocky headlands, and an English Channel that can be lively or settled depending on the weather. Iain will plan each passage to make the most of the tides and conditions, and Noonmark VI’s speed and comfort make her well-suited to this kind of sailing.

Guernsey: St Peter Port and Beyond

The approach to St Peter Port from the north is one of the great harbour arrivals in the British Isles. Castle Cornet guards the entrance, an 800-year-old fortress that sits on what was once its own island, and the town rises steeply behind the waterfront with cobbled streets, cafes, and independent shops within easy walking distance of the marina. It is a harbour town that rewards time ashore: the history here runs deep, from its medieval past through to the German occupation of the Second World War.

Beyond St Peter Port, Guernsey’s coastline changes character: the west-facing shores open onto the Atlantic with rugged cliff scenery and long sandy bays, and the southern anchorages offer sheltered spots in settled weather. The island is compact enough to explore properly in a day or two ashore, and the seafood and local produce are worth seeking out.

• St Peter Port marina, central and well-equipped
• Castle Cornet and 800 years of island history
• Cobbled streets, good food and local seafood
• Dramatic west coast cliff scenery
• Rich Second World War history throughout the island

Jersey: Tides, Coastline and Mont Orgueil

From Guernsey, Noonmark VI makes the short passage south to Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands. The approach into St Helier is tidal and requires careful timing, which is part of what makes it interesting. The island itself has one of the most varied coastlines in the Channel Islands: rugged cliffs and heather-covered headlands to the north, long golden bays to the south, and, on a clear day, the extraordinary sight of the French coastline just 18 miles to the east.

Time ashore on Jersey offers plenty. The medieval castle of Mont Orgueil at Gorey is one of the finest in the British Isles, perched above a small harbour and visible from the water for miles around. St Helier has good restaurants and a lively waterfront. And the island’s coastline, shaped and reshaped twice daily by one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, is something that simply has to be seen from the sea to be properly understood.

Sailing the Channel Islands aboard Noonmark VI

Noonmark VI is a modern offshore cruiser-racer that has sailed the world and competed in many prestigious events. She is now owned and skippered by Iain Forsyth, who is well experienced in Channel passages and tidal planning. A voyage like this one suits her well: open water crossings where her speed and smooth motion count for a great deal, combined with careful pilotage among the islands where Iain’s experience matters most. Guests are welcome to get as involved as they like, from standing watches on the Channel crossing to simply enjoying the passage from the cockpit as the French coast appears on the horizon.

• Sleeping: berths for up to 6 guests, suited to both private charters and solo travellers
• Comfort: full heating and air conditioning; Quooker tap for constant hot drinks
• Sailing style: hands-on encouraged, relaxed and flexible, join in as much or as little as you like
• Skipper: experienced offshore navigator, at home in Channel waters and tidal passages

[Read more about Noonmark VI]

Things to note

Sailing vs Shore time

Do I need to take part in night watches?

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.