Complete Guide to Visiting Island of Herm with Kids

Complete Guide to Visiting Herm Island with Kids: While we were staying at the island of Guernsey for the weekend we decided to take a trip to Herm Island. Visting the island of Herm Channel Islands is one of the most popular day trips from Guernsey Island. Having looked online before we left I didn’t quite believe that you could find Caribbean-looking beaches in the British Isles. But how wrong could I be? Shell Beach Herm really does not feel like the UK! Apologies now as this post is very photo-heavy (spoiler it really is that beautiful).

Complete Guide to Visiting Herm Island with Kids

If you do one thing when staying on Guernsey Island then you need to visit this beautiful tiny island located in the English Channel.

Catching a boat over

Yet leaving my scepticism behind about unspoilt beaches we boarded a boat from St Peter Port Harbour which is the only way to reach the island. The boats run frequently throughout the day with more available at peak season during the summer months. The journey was only a short twenty-minute ride. There was plenty of seating on the boat itself and it was fine with the buggy. Even our huge Thule stroller. Many people opted to sit on the top of the boat, but being with Harry we head towards the back. This meant that Charlie and I could stand out the back if we wanted to. He was fascinated and stayed with me the whole trip over.

One thing I didn’t realise about the Channel Islands is just how tidal they are. Because we caught the 10.30 am boat over it meant that they could not dock in the port as it was low tide. Instead, they had to dock about a ten-minute walk away at the Rosaire Steps. The only slight issue with this was that there were a lot of steps to get up (which doesn’t exist in the port). Something to bear in mind as Hubby had to carry the buggy up.

The port on Herm Island

Once at the top it’s only a short walk along the cliff path, and with spectacular views across the beautiful beaches. I have never seen a shoreline like it. In the port area, there is a hotel with a bar/restaurant, a separate pub, the Mermaid Tavern and a souvenir shop. The shop sells all sorts of necessities for a trip to the beach. Our plan was to walk across the Island to Shell Beach Herm on the coastal paths. Walking around the small island. If we had not had the boys with us then we would have walked around the entire island and taken in the natural beauty.

The Island of Herm in the Channel Islands is only half a mile wide by a mile and a half long and has around 60 residents. The walk to the beach takes you across the centre of the island and is easy and we didn’t struggle with the buggy at all. I would suggest it took us around twenty minutes with Charlie. Many of the pathways are well-trodden and easy to spot. The path gave way to sand which then gave way to dunes. We arrived when the tide was out, there were masses of white sand.

Finding Shell Beach Herm

Charlie wanted to try his hand at exploring the rock pools so we set up camp close by. There is a little chalet on the beach selling Ice creams, drinks and sandwiches. They also hire out umbrellas, windbreaks and deck chairs. At very reasonable prices. Unfortunately, Charlie wasn’t very successful at finding any crabs despite the beautiful clear waters. Well, we found a dead one. But that didn’t stop him from enjoying exploring. Harry loved the beach armed with the little spade he thought it was hilarious to try and throw wet sand at me. With shallow waters, I didn’t need to worry about him going in too deep. Plus considering it’s the Atlantic sea it wasn’t too cold either.

After a picnic on the beach, we set about collecting shells. There was so many to choose from, which I am guessing is why it is called Shell Beach Herm. Aware that the last boat back went at 5.30 pm we decided to aim for the one before it. Although none of us really wanted to leave the little slice of paradise.

The boat trip back – seeing Dolphins

On the way back it was high tide so the passenger ferry could pick us up from Herm harbour. One thing I noticed when the boat collected us from the port was that there was also another one waiting in the wings. I assume it would have been used if there had been a lot more people looking to get back. However, we all managed to fit on one. Charlie decided to head towards the back again. I am so glad we did as we saw dolphins! Not only that but they were only a few metres away from where we were standing.

The captain of the boat is obviously used to wowing his passengers. As he turned the boat around a couple of times to encourage the pod to play in the wake. It worked really well. The look on Charlie’s face was priceless. Hubby and Harry watched from inside through the large windows. He learnt a new word – dolphins! Which he squealed at the top of his voice. I managed to catch a little on video, which Charlie then took into school on Monday for show and tell. It was the highlight of our trip. A memory that will stay with us forever.

Hubby and I have decided to take a trip back and stay in the White House hotel in Herm. Life feels a lot more relaxed, the fact there are no street lights or motorised vehicles (only quad bikes) on the island means it is the perfect place to switch off and sample island life.

Things you need to know about visiting Herm in the Channel Islands

• Prices: Adults £13.50, children £7.00 and infants £1.50. There are reduced fares available for those that catch the first boat of the day and return on the same day
• Location: The boat company Travel Trident ticket office can be found at the entrance to the port just by the roundabout with the mast on it. More information can be found on their website – www.traveltrident.com The Trident ferry will depart from St Peter’s Port
• Timings: The ferry runs at different times throughout the year depending on peak times, daylight and tides. When we visited in June the boat departed to Herm six times a day 8.30, 10.30, 12.15, 14.15, 15.15 and 17.15. It returned 9.00, 10.50, 12/35, 14.35, 15.35 and 17.35.

If you have enjoyed this blog post. Then you may also like 25 Best Beaches in the UK for Families – Shell Beach features along with some other very tropical-looking pieces of paradise. 

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