Sark’s great sandy bay, lying below the western side of La Coupée. Reached by approximately 360 steep steps, it offers a broad beach, often-clear water, rock pools and one of the island’s best-known coastal views. Sark Tourism promotes it for swimming, family beach visits and sunsets, although the demanding access and changing sea conditions require careful planning.
These predictions use Maseline Pier, the Sark reference location used by this service. Tide times and water levels at Grande Grève may differ from the prediction because of the local shoreline, weather, waves and atmospheric pressure. Times are shown in local Sark time.
Grande Grève lies below the western side of La Coupée, the narrow isthmus that joins the main island of Sark to Little Sark. It is one of the island’s principal sandy beaches, becoming particularly broad at lower tide, with rocks and pools around its edges. Its name translates approximately as “large shore”, and from the ridge above La Coupée gives one of the best-known views in Sark, looking down over the sand and clear blue-green water.
The beach is reached from beside La Coupée by approximately 360 steep steps (Sark Tourism gives the number as about 360, and another of its articles as 365), and visitors must climb the entire staircase again to leave. The route requires suitable footwear and enough mobility and fitness for a sustained descent and return climb, with extra care when the steps are wet, and it is not accessible by wheelchair or pushchair. Consider your own mobility, balance and fitness before setting out, turn back if the route feels unsafe or beyond your ability, carry drinking water and allow plenty of time for the return climb.
Grande Grève is maintained by local volunteers rather than the Island, and Sark Tourism states that access is at visitors’ own risk. The steps begin beside the La Coupée crossing, which links Sark with Little Sark; take care around other road and path users and do not obstruct the narrow crossing.
Sark Tourism highlights the bay’s often-clear water and swimming, and children building dams in the sand and paddling in the rock pools. Families who can safely manage the staircase may enjoy the sand and pools, but every visitor must complete the full climb back to La Coupée. Conditions still need to be assessed on arrival, particularly when wind or swell is producing breaking waves; take care near the rocks at the sides of the bay. No lifeguard service is currently listed, so supervise children closely, avoid swimming alone and do not enter the water if uncertain.
At lower tide, rocks and pools around the edges of the beach become more exposed. Explore them carefully, return towards the central beach well before rising water reaches your route, and leave marine life undisturbed. There are no facilities at beach level, so bring everything you need for the visit and carry all belongings and rubbish back up the steps.
Grande Grève faces west, and Sark Tourism particularly highlights the sunset views from the beach and from La Coupée above.
The width of exposed beach and access to the rocks change considerably through the tide.
Around low tide, a broad sandy shore and more rocks and pools are exposed, providing greater space for walking, sandcastles and exploration. Return from the outer rocks well before rising water reaches your route.
As the tide rises, the beach narrows and the lower rocks and pools are covered first. Around higher water, much less sand may remain exposed; how much space there is depends on the height of that particular tide, the wind and the swell.
Sark Tourism describes Grande Grève as rewarding to visit whatever the tide, but this is not a guarantee of safe swimming or dry beach space. Check the tide and weather before beginning the 360-step descent and assess conditions again when you reach the shore. Actual water levels may differ from predictions because of atmospheric pressure, wind and waves.
Explore Sark’s tide times, harbour information and island guide, including its other beaches and local advice.
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Tides. 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.
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