Snorkel trails are emerging as an important feature within coastal ecotourism on a global scale, often resulting in improved ecological awareness and understanding of the marine environment. The Jersey Snorkel Trails offer residents and visitors the opportunity to explore the beauty and diversity beneath the waves in Jersey. Created by Blue Marine Foundation with help from the Societe Jersiaise and Bouley Bay Dive Centre, and supported by Mourant, there are now two snorkel trails in Jersey, Snorkel Portelet and Snorkel Bouley.
Both snorkel trails are made up of three components: the self-guided trail itself, an education programme and a citizen science portal. The aim of the snorkel trails is to connect people of all ages to the sea. Children— as the future generation of ocean stewards— are the key to the future of our seas.
Snorkelling is an easy and enjoyable way to explore Jersey’s beautiful marine environment. There are two snorkel trails on the island, called Snorkel Portelet and Snorkel Bouley. Beneath the waves, you’ll find a wealth of marine life, with thousands of different species living around reefs, boulders and rocky outcrops, as well as the seaweeds and kelps that form underwater forests. Hopefully, there will be more snorkel trails around the island in the future, to create a network of sea exploration around Jersey’s gorgeous snorkelling spots.
SNORKEL PORTELET
In the middle of Portelet Bay, on the southwest corner of Jersey, is a tiny islet called Janvrin’s Tomb. At high tide it’s surrounded by water, but at low tide you can walk to the islet along a sand bar.
Portelet Bay is Jersey’s first No-Take Zone, where it is forbidden to take anything out of the water or from the beach. That means no fishing, no collecting shells or rocks, and no touching any life that lives there. The aim is to create a sanctuary for marine life to grow without being disturbed. At Snorkel Portelet there are four areas to snorkel, which are highlighted on the map and named after some of the beautiful anemone species you can find here, like the strawberry anemone, whose patterns look just like a certain fruit! These four routes should be snorkelled as the tide is going out – from mid- to low-tide – when the sandbar is uncovered.
SNORKEL BOULEY
At Bouley Bay the trail is great for first-time snorkellers because the currents and swells are minimal, which makes the water safer. This means you can snorkel here at higher tides too, but you won’t see as much marine life, so between mid– to low-tide is still best, as at Snorkel Portelet.
The Snorkel Bouley trail includes three routes, named after some of the beautiful fish you might spot here. If you haven’t been snorkelling much before, then make sure you stick to the Seahorse and Cuttlefish beginner trails. If you and the adult you’re with are experienced snorkellers, then you can give the Wrasse trail around L’Islet a go – but make sure you follow the safety rules.
