A sheltered sandy cove and small working fishing harbour on Guernsey’s south-west coast, popular for swimming, paddling and rock pooling.
These predictions use St Peter Port, Guernsey’s standard reference port. Local timing and conditions at Portelet Harbour 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.
Portelet is a small sandy cove and working fishing harbour at Guernsey’s south-western corner in Torteval. At lower water, a wide area of sand, rocks and pools is exposed around the harbour, making it particularly popular for rock pooling. Small pieces of sea-worn glass may sometimes be found among the sand and stones, but finds vary.
The harbour gives the cove a relatively sheltered character, although westerly wind and swell can still affect swimming conditions. Small fishing and leisure boats share the water, so swimmers should remain visible and keep clear of the slip when craft are launching or landing. Portelet Beach Kiosk, public toilets and parking are immediately above the harbour, and The Imperial Hotel is a short distance away. The slip is steep, becoming uneven cobbles lower down with no handrail, so the natural beach is not independently wheelchair-accessible. Coastal routes from Portelet lead towards Fort Pezeries, La Table des Pions, commonly known as the Fairy Ring, and the German Occupation observation tower at Pleinmont, over slopes and uneven ground rather than a level promenade.
At higher water, the sea covers much of the lower shore and lies close to the harbour and slip. As the tide falls, a much wider area of sand, rocks and pools is exposed. Keep track of the returning water when exploring beyond the main sandy area, as routes across rocks can become wet or submerged, and the harbour remains in use by boats at different states of tide. Do not assume that water beside the harbour wall is deep or clear enough for jumping or diving.
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.
Guernsey
