What is the small island near Guernsey?
The small island near Guernsey is Herm, about a 20-minute boat ride from St Peter Port. Guernsey's other nearby islands include Sark, Alderney and Lihou, the last reached on foot across a tidal causeway.
Guernsey sits at the centre of a small archipelago, and the island tourism body for the Bailiwick describes five islands in total: Guernsey itself, plus Herm, Sark, Alderney and Lihou. When people ask about the small island near Guernsey, they usually mean Herm, the closest of the group and the easiest to reach for a day out. Visit Guernsey describes it as a 20-minute boat ride from St Peter Port, with white sand beaches, cliff paths with views towards the French coast, and a microclimate of its own.
[1]Herm: the closest and most popular
Herm is the obvious choice if you want a short crossing and a relaxed day. Visit Guernsey highlights long stretches of white sand, cliff walking and the possibility of spotting dolphins on the crossing. There is a beach cafe on the east side at Shell Beach, and camping is listed among the ways to stay overnight. Scheduled day trips to Herm from Guernsey are also sold as part of short-break packages by operators working with the island's tourism body, so it is a well-trodden route rather than an expedition.
[1]The other islands within reach
Each of the neighbouring islands has a distinct character, and Visit Guernsey's group travel guide notes that all of them can be reached by ferry, short flight or, in Lihou's case, a short walk. A quick comparison helps when planning:
[2]| Island | How you reach it | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Herm | 20-minute boat from St Peter Port | White sand beaches, cliff paths, dolphins possible on the crossing |
| Lihou | Cobbled causeway at low tide | Ruins, Venus Pool, RAMSAR wetlands, rockpooling, over 150 bird species |
| Sark | Boat from Guernsey | No cars, explored by bike or horse-drawn carriage, Dark Sky Island |
| Alderney | Boat or short flight | Second largest island, 30 miles of lanes and trails, museum, railway, birdwatching |
A practical comparison: Herm versus Lihou
Suppose you have one free day in Guernsey and want the simplest outing. Herm works well: a short ferry ride, beaches, a cafe and cliff paths. Lihou is the more adventurous option. It is reached across a causeway that only opens at low tide, so the timing of your visit is dictated by the tide rather than by your own schedule. In exchange, you get ruins, a tidal pool, designated wetlands and some of the best rockpooling in the area, with the option of a group overnight stay at Lihou House. If tide times do not suit your day, Herm is the safer plan.
[1]Planning your trip
A few practical points are worth bearing in mind. Sark and Herm are frequently combined with Guernsey in multi-island holidays, so ferry links run regularly enough to support package itineraries. Sark has no cars, so plan on walking, cycling or a carriage tour. Alderney is larger and further away, so in our view it suits an overnight stay better than a rushed day trip. Published guides do not list exact ferry timetables or fares, so check current sailing times and prices with the operators before committing to a date.
[1][2]Once you have picked your island, check the day's sailing schedule and, for Lihou, the tide tables, then look for events on the day you plan to travel. Rockhopping lists what's on across Guernsey and its neighbouring islands, including Sark and Alderney, so you can match your crossing to a market, festival or night out happening when you arrive.
[3]Sources and dates
- https://www.visitguernsey.com/experiences/island-hopping/ · accessed 2026-10-18
- https://trade.visitguernsey.com/trade-industry/tools-guides/group-travel-guide/island-hopping/ · accessed 2026-10-18
- https://rockhopping.com/ · accessed 2026-10-18