A small north-east-facing bay close to Sark’s village, reached by a path that descends through wildflowers in spring. Sark Tourism particularly recommends it for an early-morning high-tide swim, when the bay is in sunlight and the water is often clear enough to reveal the coloured pebbles below.
These predictions use Maseline Pier, the Sark reference location used by this service. Tide times and water levels at Grève de la Ville may differ from the prediction because of the local shoreline, weather, waves and atmospheric pressure. Times are shown in local Sark time.
Grève de la Ville is a small north-east-facing bay north of Maseline Harbour and below the lanes on the eastern edge of Sark’s village. Sark Tourism particularly highlights it for an early-morning swim around high tide, when sunlight reaches the bay (generally until around midday) and the water is often clear enough to reveal the coloured pebbles below.
The bay is also one of Sark’s official visitor-mooring locations. Mooring buoys lie offshore, while a landing place and wide steps provide access for dinghies, and official harbour guidance notes that the landing gives access to the beach at low tide. Swimmers should stay alert to boats approaching the moorings and landing steps, and keep clear of vessels using the landing.
The path climbs from the bay to the outskirts of the village, from where the Avenue is about five minutes’ walk. A picnic bench partway down offers a view over the bay and its moored boats, and in spring wildflowers line parts of the path while wild hops grow along the cliffside. The bay avoids the very long staircases and rocky scrambles of some Sark beaches, but the path still descends from the village and must be climbed again when leaving.
No lifeguard service is currently listed, and no refreshments are listed at beach level. Its north-east-facing position means conditions may become less sheltered when wind or waves arrive from that direction, so check the tide, wind, waves, water depth and boat activity before entering, and supervise children closely. Morning sunshine does not guarantee calm water.
The route and shoreline have not been independently assessed for wheelchair or pushchair access. The approach follows a descending natural path, the shore consists of uneven pebbles and rocks, and the dinghy landing includes wide steps. Rocks and small pools may be exposed as the tide falls; explore carefully and leave marine life undisturbed.
The tide changes both the amount of exposed shore and the bay’s suitability for swimming.
Around high tide, more of the pebbly shore is covered and the water is deeper. Sark Tourism particularly recommends Grève de la Ville for an early-morning high-tide swim, and notes that the water is often clear enough to reveal the coloured pebbles below. This is not a guarantee of suitable conditions, so assess the wind, waves, depth and boat activity before entering.
As the tide falls, more of the pebbly lower shore and surrounding rocks are exposed, and official harbour guidance notes that the landing place provides access to the beach at low tide.
Visitor moorings lie within the bay, and dinghies may approach the landing steps at any suitable tide, so stay aware of boats while swimming or standing near the water. Actual water levels may differ from predictions because of atmospheric pressure, wind and waves, and local conditions may also differ from the regional sea-state forecast.
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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