Day Trip from Guernsey to Herm and Sark in 2024

You are certainly not short of things to do in Guernsey but taking a day trip to one of the smaller islands is a must! There are plenty of day trips to Sark from Guernsey, but Herm is also one great option. But if you just have one day, how do you choose?

Well, let me start by saying you must find time to visit both if you can! And spoiler alert, there is no winner in this article. Both Sark and Herm are winners. Nonetheless, I am going to break down the islands into a few useful categories, so you can see which one is for you.

Let’s start by looking at a few facts and figures about each island. Firstly, Sark Island is the much larger of the islands, with a population of 500 and an area just over 2 square miles.

Both islands have banned cars but being the busier of the two Sark still has horse and cart, bikes, and tactors. Generally, you don’t see any of these in Herm, as most travel is on foot.

Herm is less than half the size and only has 65 residents who live on the island all year round. So, you start to get a picture of the difference in the islands. Famously, Sark was declared the world’s first dark sky island in 2011, making it a fantastic place for stargazing.

Where are Herm and Sark?

Herm and Sark are small, picturesque islands in the Channel Islands, located in the English Channel near France. Herm, known for its serene beauty, is car-free and ideal for tranquil retreats.

Sark, slightly larger, offers a unique blend of rural charm and historical interest, including a traditional lifestyle with horse-drawn carriages.

Both islands, popular for their unspoiled landscapes and wildlife, are accessible by ferry from Guernsey.

How to Get to Herm?

To get to Herm, you typically travel via Guernsey. Flights to Guernsey are available from several UK airports, and once in Guernsey, Herm is just a short ferry ride away.

The ferry service from Guernsey to Herm operates regularly, especially during the tourist season, making the island easily accessible for day trips or longer stays. Once you’re in Guernsey, you can take one of the day trips from Guernsey to Sark and Herm.

How to Get to Sark Island?

For Sark, the journey also begins with a flight to Guernsey. From Guernsey, you can take a ferry to Sark – And the inter-island travel is just as fun as it sounds.

The ferry service is reliable and offers a scenic journey to the island. Sark, known for its car-free roads, can be explored on foot, by bicycle, or by horse-drawn carriage once you arrive.

What is the Best Time to Visit Herm and Sark?

The best time to visit Herm and Sark is from late spring to early autumn (May to September). During these months, the weather is generally warmer and more stable, ideal for enjoying the islands’ outdoor activities and natural beauty.

The summer months are particularly popular, offering longer days and a range of events and activities.

That being said, if you prefer a quieter visit, late spring and early September are excellent choices with fewer tourists.

Outdoor Adventure on a Guernsey to Sark Day Trip

When it comes to the islands of Guernsey, the adventure really begins out on the water. From kayaking to coasteering, there are plenty of choices for water sports.

I went kayaking in Sark, and then hopped on a bike to explore the island. The kayaking with Outdoor Guernsey was a brilliant way to see the coastline, and we kayaked in and out of some stunning caves. You can also go caving and coasteering here. But most beaches are only accessible with a bit of a hike, so that might not suit everyone.

In Herm, you can enjoy kayaking or paddle-boarding, but what really stands out are the accessible beaches. Unlike Sark, Herm doesn’t have as much rocky coastal terrain, making it easier to explore.

For hiking, Herm offers a clear route that circles the island. The entire loop takes about two hours, with the first hour covering the more interesting coastal areas—especially if you go anticlockwise. The second half of the hike is focused on exploring the beaches.

On Sark, hiking is usually centred around Little Sark, but you’ll mostly get around the island by bike unless you have the time to walk it. While you could technically hike all of Sark in one day (it’s about 10 miles), it would be a bit of a squeeze to see everything.

If you have a couple of days, hiking some of the coastal routes is definitely the way to go. Keep in mind that Herm isn’t bike-friendly, so it’s all about walking there.

Nature in Herm and Sark Island

The showstoppers on both islands are the Puffins, which can be spotted from March to July. In Herm they can be easily seen from Puffin Bay, via the hiking path, by boat or kayak.

The Puffins in Sark Island are found on a small islet called L’Etac, and you can only see them on a boat trip. You’re also likely to spot Guillemots and Razorbills.

Speaking of the islets, you can find a Seal colony on Herm but again that can be seen by boat. I saw these seals on the Herm Explore Wildlife Voyage with Island Rib Voyages. It’s not possible to kayak to them, as it’s very far from Herm with a lot of tidal currents between the islands.

Nature isn’t just limited to the wildlife, for me it’s the stunning landscapes. From the Window in the Rock in Sark to the views over Jethou in Herm. There is quite literally nothing to chose between the islands in this department.

Things to Do in Herm and Sark

Being the smaller of the islands, Herm does have a more limited range of activities. In my opinion, a visit to Herm is all about a few simple pleasures: relaxing on the beach, going for a short hike, and, well, relaxing on the beach again!

Of course, the beach comes with its own set of options like kayaking or paddle-boarding. And let me tell you, Herm’s beaches are absolutely stunning—they have to be seen to be believed. Beyond the beach, you can also try your hand at archery, clay-pigeon shooting, or even join a well-being retreat. There are also garden tours and the Annette Henry tours for a bit of variety.

Sark, on the other hand, offers almost too many things to do—I didn’t know where to begin! In addition to the outdoor activities, you can explore the island’s unique history at the wartime exhibition or learn about chocolate-making at Caragh Chocolates.

If you’re into gardens, La Seigneurie Gardens is a must-visit. But for everything else, I recommend getting around by bike. My top spots include Window in the Rock, Dixcart Bay, La Coupée, and Pilcher’s Monument.

In Herm, the coastal hike from the Rosaire Steps to Shell Beach is a must. Along the way, you’ll pass Belvoir and Puffin Bay, both worth a stop. And when it comes to the beaches, take your pick! If you walk along Shell Beach to Alderney Point, you’re almost guaranteed to find a secluded spot all to yourself.

Food, Drink and Staying Overnight in Herm and Sark

Both islands have a nice variety of dining options, from beach cafés to sit-down restaurants. Starting with Herm you can grab pub grub at the Mermaid Tavern, which has a lovely courtyard to sit outside. I recommend this one.

For a more formal dinner look at the White House Hotel (the rooms here also have fantastic views!). The Ship Inn is another pub alternative, right next door. Then you have two beach cafes serving sandwiches and salads, and a totally refreshing (and highly recommended) Herm Gold lager.

Sark as you’d expect has a few more pubs and restaurants, such as Nicole’s, with a lovely garden and fresh seafood, the Stocks Hotel has fine dining and uses local produce, and La Sablonnerie has the best reputation and a lovely traditional setting.

Both islands have campsites with pre-erected tents if you don’t have your own, and both have a couple of pubs to grab a pint. Sark is known for its cheap pints due to the tax laws, and I recommend going to the Bel Air Inn for one. I found the Bel Air Inn far more tourist friendly than the Mermaid Tavern (on Sark).

Please note both Sark and Herm have a pub called the Mermaid Tavern! I liked the one in Herm.

Taking a Day Trip to Sark from Guernsey

Pretty much all main boats and ferries go to and from the capital of Guernsey, St Peter Port. That’s true for these islands too. Herm is the closest island, so the ferry just takes 20 minutes, however Sark is further and takes around 50 minutes.

Both journeys were short and hassle free, and the prices reflect the distance. I can’t fault either service, comfortable, on-time and both boats are big enough that you shouldn’t get too sea-sick (I cannot guarantee that!).

An adult day return to Sark costs £29.50 with Sark Shipping and an adult day return to Herm is £14.00 with the Herm Trident. Please use these links for more info and the sailing schedule.

You can fly to Guernsey from many UK airports, or take the ferry from Poole as I did with Condor Ferries. This was an really easy journey taking just 3 hours, and gave me the flexibility of having my own van on the island. I loved having not limit on luggage (I took my paddle-board!), and relaxing with some food onboard. It’s also the best way to take your pet.

Conclusion

For more reading about Guernsey, I recommend reading my other articles Reasons to Visit Guernsey and 10 Things you must do in Guernsey – Definitely great additions to Sark day trips from Guernsey!

As you can tell, both islands won me over and I would find it impossible to pick. They both offer a different experience. I hope you found this comparison useful, what are your favourite things about Sark and Herm? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

This article was supported by Visit Guernsey but as always, the opinions and photos in the article are all my own, and I think it’s clear to see I loved every minute of my trip!