Go for a Moonwalk at La Rocque
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Jersey may be small, but it's got the 3rd largest tidal range in the world, up to 12 metres, after the Bay of Fundy in eastern Canada and the Severn Estuary. Caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon on the oceans, the highest and lowest tides occur approximately two days after the new and full moon. Known as ‘spring tides', they take place around midday, which is great for moonwalkers.
So what's a moonwalk I hear you ask? At low tide, Jersey Walk Adventures will take you on a guided tour out onto the moon-like rocky seabed at La Rocque, on the southeastern tip of Jersey. Experienced guide Derek Hairon will take you out across rugged gullies, crags, sand bars and rock pools to Seymour or Icho Towers where you can explore Jersey's very own wilderness area. In rockpools you'll find all manner of sea critters, from limpets and winkles to crabs and sea hares (no, not the furry, long-eared version, but rather more of a black sea slug).
Kids love the scrambling over rocks, splashing in pools and shell collecting. Further out, you will discover long rows of stones laid out in perfect, Nazca-like lines. These are trot lines left by local fishermen - they're even labelled with the owner's name and telephone number. Mind the hooks!
If the low tides are at night, Derek can take you out on a starlit moonwalk where you can see tiny bioluminescent glow-worms glowing in the dark waters. The rocks take on a whole new form under the stars and you feel very very separated from civilisation. Walkers can stay overnight in the imposing Seymour Tower (sleeps 7 + 1 guide), a stone watch tower built in 1782 to guard against French invaders, about 1.5 miles offshore (advance reservation required).
Walks typically take 2 to 3 hours and cost £12.50 per person (£19 for night walks). Stays at Seymour Tower cost £390 per night and includes the price of the guide. See Jersey Walk Adventures' website for more details.
The area is very exposed to the weather - it is almost guaranteed to be blustery and it can get very cold so wear warm waterproofs and wellies.
Note that you should not venture out onto the seabed without a guide because the tides are huge and seriously dangerous. If you get caught out, there is a rescue tower - 20 metres high - that you can climb up onto and wait for a rescue boat!
Jersey Walk Adventures also run sea kayaking tours - no prior kayaking experience is necessary.
Useful links
Jersey Walk Adventures
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