Sea, Market and Surf Activities in St Helier

October 31, 2026

Visitors to St Helier will find that the most rewarding activities involve the sea, local food or the west-coast surf. This page lists them with the practical details that matter. Money is the Jersey pound, which is worth one pound sterling. Bank of England notes are accepted too, and Jersey notes cannot be spent in the rest of the UK. There is no VAT on the island, only a 5% goods and services tax.

A note on the tide. Jersey has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, over 10 m on spring tides. Sand, rock pools and reefs that are open at lunchtime can be under water by teatime, so look up tide times before you head to any shore.

Activities at a glance

Havre des Pas bathing pool. A Victorian tidal pool from 1895 on the south-east shore. It holds sea water after the tide goes out and has terraces around it. Entry has been free, though the operator changed on 1 April 2026, so check current terms. Lifeguards work only in season: May half-term, weekends in June and July, and daily in the school summer holidays, so take extra care outside those dates.
Central Market. Opened in 1882, with cast-iron pillars and a tiered fountain. Stalls sell Jersey produce, black butter, flowers and snacks. Hours are 07:30 to 17:30 Monday to Saturday, closing at 14:00 on Thursday, and it is shut on Sunday.
Beresford fish market. Opposite the Central Market, with marble counters of spider crab, sea bass, scallops and Royal Bay oysters.
Jersey Seafaris. Fast boats leave St Catherine Breakwater in St Martin (LibertyBus 2 and 2A). The Les Ecrehous trip runs 1.5 to 3 hours and shows seals and dolphins around a reef of granite rocks. Adult prices have been listed from about £47.99 to £64.99, so check before you book. Other trips go to Les Minquiers. Visit jerseyseafaris.com .
Guided sea kayaking. Jersey Kayak Adventures leads trips of about 2.25 hours past caves, arches and shallow reefs, with listed prices of around £35.50 to £48.50. Coasteering is guided only too, and both depend on the tide. See jerseykayakadventures.co.uk .
Surfing at St Ouen’s Bay. St Ouen’s Bay on the west coast is one of Europe’s oldest surfing areas. The Watersplash has a surf school, board hire, a bar and a restaurant, and lesson prices are on watersplashjersey.com .
La Mare Wine Estate. A 20-acre estate in St Mary making wine, cider, apple brandy, Jersey Royal gin and chocolates, and black butter, which is cooked from cider, apples, liquorice and spices. Tours run in the warmer months, from spring to the end of October, so check the current price at lamarewineestate.com .

Getting about

LibertyBus is the only public bus operator and most routes begin at Liberation Station on the Esplanade. Look at libertybus.je for fares and timetables. There are no trains or trams, so the bus network is the main way to reach the coast. Shows are covered on shows and events in St Helier .

If you would rather compare tours first, see Viator tours in St Helier .