‘Caribbean-like’ island with white sandy beaches is just an hour from the UK | Travel News | Travel

A stunning island, just an hour from the UK, has been likened to the Bahamas due to its beautiful sandy beaches and sparkling waters. Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, offers lush green trails and breathtaking scenery, similar to that of the Greek Islands and the Caribbean. 

The island’s picturesque beaches are a major attraction for holidaymakers coming to this island.

Take Shell Beach, for example, named after the millions of tiny shell fragments that make up its shore.

It boasts fine white sands and crystal-clear waters. One satisfied tourist on Tripadvisor called their visit the “highlight” of their week, saying it felt “it was like being in the Bahamas” due to the sunny weather.

Another felt as though stepping foot on the beach was “like being in the Caribbean” due to the views it gives.

Cobo Bay, with its vast stretch of powder sands and clear waters, also resembles something you’d expect to find on a tropical island, rather than just a short flight away from the UK coast. 

Visit Guernsey describes this hotspot as “one of the island’s most popular beaches” and it’s easy to see why. With a gastro pub and toilets nearby, it’s perfect for a full day out, reported The Mirror.

But there’s more to Guernsey than just sandy shores. You can go wild swimming, cycling, fishing and hiking on the island. If you love walking, there are regular festivals and self-guided tours. And there are plenty of cafes and kiosks along the way for a cuppa with a view.

Film fans might recognise some of the island’s history from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Visit Guernsey says: “One of the most interesting times in Guernsey’s history was when German forces occupied the island during the Second World War.

“The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles under German control during the war, and there’s still lots of evidence of their stay. The coastlines are dotted with well-preserved fortifications built by German soldiers, and museums hold memories of those times to explore.”

One of the great things for Britons is that Gurnsey is just a short journey across the English Channel, and plenty of airlines offer direct flights. 

You can fly directly to Gurnsey from plenty of UK airports, including London City and Gatwick, Dublin, Paris, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, and Southampton in as little as 40 minutes (depending on which region you are coming from, of course).

You can fly directly to Gurnsey with the island’s Aurigny airline, which has flights from £50 each way. Despite July being a peak season for holidays, some of the cheapest flights can be found, according to Skyscanner, with £51 flights on offer on select dates from London.  You can also hop on an in-direct route from Glasow, Edinburgh or Newcastle with Loganair, in partnership with Blue Islands. 

For more domestic (and international) flight deals, you can see our top picks of British Airways’ latest offers here or our favourite offers from Jet2 here.