According to mysteryaround, the Channel Islands (French: Îles Anglo-Normandes) is an archipelago and British Crown Dependency in Europe, located approximately 20 kilometers from the French coast (close to Brittany). The Channel Islands consists of the main islands of Guernsey and Jersey and the smaller islands of Alderney, Sark, Herm, Lihou, Jethou (private property) and Brecqhou (private property). Only the two main islands have an official capital. For Guernsey this is Saint Peter Port and for Jerseyis this Saint Helier. The French Chausey Islands are also often counted among the Channel Islands. The Chausey Islands consist of approximately 200 islets and rocks.
The Channel Islands are known as a tax haven. The landscape of the Channel Islands is mostly hilly with various chalk cliffs. The coastline of the Channel Islands varies from rock formations and sandy beaches to small bays. The islands are known as a water sports destination. You can go diving, surfing, sailing, sea kayaking, fishing, jet skiing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and water skiing.
Where are the Channel Islands?
Travel information of Channel Islands
Official name: Channel Islands
Continent: Europe
Area: 195 km²
Capital: Guernsey: Saint Peter Port, Jersey: Saint Helier
Population: 165,000 inhabitants (2019)
Form of government: British Crown Domain
Highest point: 143 m (Les Platons)
Distance (Amsterdam – Channel Islands): 600 km
Flight time: approximately 2 hours
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in place on the Channel Islands that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of the Channel Islands, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to the Channel Islands. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about the Channel Islands?
Weather and climate
The Channel Islands have a mild maritime climate. In the winter months the temperatures are around 10 degrees and in the summer months around 20 degrees.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for the Channel Islands can be found on our extensive weather page.
Best time to travel
May and June are the best months to travel to the Channel Islands. This way you avoid mass tourism and you have the best chance of pleasant temperatures.
Language
English is the official language in the Channel Islands. In addition, because of the location, a lot of French is spoken.
Would you like to translate from or into English for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a valid passport.
A visa is not necessary.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in the United Kingdom:
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in the Channel Islands: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of the United Kingdom in the Netherlands: ukinnl.fco.gov.uk.
United Kingdom Consulate in the Netherlands: ukinnl.fco.gov.uk.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
You do not need any vaccinations to visit the Channel Islands.
Money and Currency
In the Channel Islands, payment is made with the British pound (GBP). You can also pay on Guernsey with the Guernsey pound (GGP) and on Jersey with the Jersey pound (JEP).
The current state of these currencies (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in the Channel Islands can be found on our ATMs page.
Tipping
In the Channel Islands it is customary to give a tip of approximately 10%.
Time difference
On the Channel Islands it is 1 hour earlier than in the Netherlands.
Summer time on the Channel Islands is equal to that in the Netherlands.
The local time, date and time zone for the Channel Islands can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
You must drive on the left in the Channel Islands.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in the Channel Islands.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within the Channel Islands.
Electricity On the Channel Islands you may need a travel plug
in some cases. More information about common plugs and sockets in the Channel Islands can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 112 or 999
– Fire Department: 112 or 999
– Ambulance: 112 or 999
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to the Channel Islands can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from the Channel Islands can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Channel Islands websites end in.gg or.je.
Channel Islands official websites: visitchannelislands.com.
In addition, the largest islands have their own website:
Jersey – jersey.com
Guernsey – visitguernsey.com
Herm – herm-island.com
Sark – sark.co.uk
Alderney – alderney.gov.gg
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in the Channel Islands is 0044 or +44.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from the Channel Islands? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Telephone numbers can be found in the Channel Islands Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of the Channel Islands.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from the Channel Islands.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from the Channel Islands.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in the Channel Islands can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations on the Channel Islands, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about the Channel Islands?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited the Channel Islands. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) on the Channel Islands can be found on Protected Planet.
The Channel Islands are not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to the Channel Islands? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to the Channel Islands.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.8.
– Tobacco: Buy from the age of 18, smoke from the age of 16.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…It is forbidden to cycle on the island of Herm?
…The islands of Jethou and Brecqhou are privately owned?
…The Channel Islands has a difference of 7 to 11 meters between low and high tide?
…The Channel Islands are located just 20 kilometers from the French mainland?