A secluded pebble bay below a wooded east-coast valley, normally reached on foot and particularly popular for swimming around higher water.
These predictions use St Peter Port, Guernsey’s standard reference port. Local timing and conditions at Fermain Bay can vary slightly with weather and coastal geography. Times are shown in local Guernsey time.
Beta feature. These pier, slip and pool swim windows are new and still being fine-tuned from predicted tide levels — this is not a sea-safety assessment. If a time looks wrong for a spot you know well, please get in touch.
Fermain lies below wooded slopes between St Peter Port and Jerbourg and can be reached from either direction along the cliff-path network. The pebble beach and enclosed valley give it a sheltered feel, although the bay opens eastward and conditions can still become rough in easterly weather.
Fermain Beach Café and public toilets sit immediately above the shore. Most visitors arrive on foot down the steep lane or along the cliff paths, and should expect a sustained climb on the return journey. The lower section of Fermain Lane is permit-only and there is no public parking at the bay; taxis may drop off and collect passengers, and temporary access permits can be arranged for Blue Badge holders. The presence of permitted drop-off access does not make the natural pebble beach independently wheelchair-accessible.
Fermain is particularly popular for swimming around higher water, when the sea is close to the upper beach. At lower water, more of the pebble shore is exposed and there is more space beside the water. The usable beach becomes smaller as the tide rises, and wet pebbles can make entry and exit uneven. Check the wind, waves and your route back onto shore rather than relying on the tide time alone.
No community photos of Fermain Bay yet. Be the first to add one and help build a picture of the beach at every state of the tide.
Add your photoTides. Tide predictions are forecasts. Actual sea level is affected by atmospheric pressure, wind and waves. Always observe the sea and your surroundings.
Swimming. Sea swimming carries risks: currents, waves, rocks, submerged structures, boats and cold water. This page is for planning and does not confirm conditions are safe. Do not assume the beach is lifeguarded.
Facilities. Facilities and café opening hours change seasonally. Check directly before making a journey specifically to use them.
Guernsey