<i>FERIENWOCHE</i>JERSEY</i>
<i>FERIENWOCHE</i>JERSEY</i>
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FERIENWOCHEJERSEY

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Sea Kayak Holidays

18.–23.05.2025

JERSEY – SEA KAYAK HOLIDAYS

Our second week in Jersey is about enjoyment, fun and gaining experiences – Sea Kayak Holidays. The tides are now picking up little by little every day, and towards the end of the week we'll have a 10m spring tide. Perfect conditions for playing for everyone who has either been there to practice the week before or everyone who already has the necessary experience.

Unlike our first week in Jersey, this is not a course week. During this week we just go paddling and have fun and apply what we have learned before or already bring with us. Of course, we will also pay plenty of visits to the tideraces and other great playing areas off the coast this week. And of course we will also support you this week if there is a problem somewhere, but as coaches we are now deliberately taking a back seat and leaving more room for spontaneity and that holiday feeling.

With this focus it is also clear that - assuming good weather - we will undertake the almost 10 km long crossing to the lonely fishing islands “Les Écréhous”. The chance of encountering seals and dolphins is particularly high there.

Of course, the green island paradise of Jersey also has a lot to offer outside of the kayak: a unique mix of English flair and French influence, palm trees in front of almost every house, fresh ale in the pub, great seafood in restaurants at the marina or juicy burgers at lunch at the “Hungry Man” in the picturesque bay of Rozel…

DETAILS

Programme Day 1
Day 1
Our camp begins on Sunday at around 10:00 with the official welcome and introduction round. Then we get on the water as soon as possible. In order not to waste unnecessary time handing out kayaks and equipment on the first day, we ask that you arrive the day before, if possible. If you haven't already spent the last week with us on Jersey of course…
Programme Days 2–5
Days 2-5
As with all of our Sea Kayak Holidays camps, there is no course content that needs to be built into the week. That's why we have a lot of freedom in how we organize this week. Jersey offers us a huge variety of opportunities, both for playing, exploring and touring paddling. We'll definitely take everything we can this week - including an offshore trip to the magically beautiful Écréhous Islands, for which both the tides and the weather have to be perfect.
Programme Day 6
Day 6
Our last day of paddling is basically like the others. The only difference is that we have to allow some additional time for returning the material and, if necessary, dismantling the camp, paying for accommodation or other logistical activities in connection with the upcoming departure. In order to be able to handle all of this without stress, we will make sure that we will be back at camp a little earlier than normal. We will announce the specific schedule the evening before or in the morning at the latest.
More Info
Participant Numbers: Minimum 5, Maximum 12
Languages: German and English

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

This is what you may hope for

Weather
At this time of year the water on the Costa Brava is still cool, but it is definitely spring and usually pleasantly warm.

Wind
The main wind direction in this area is northwest and unfortunately that sometimes means Tramuntana – the Catalan sister of the infamous Mistral. However, around our base on the rocky south coast of the cape we are quite well protected from winds from northern directions. The north coast or the Bay of Portlligat offer us protection from southerly winds.

Waves
When there is a northerly wind, the sea is calm on the south coast. In southerly winds however, conditions pick up in our bay. Then the waves can build up quite steeply. But don't worry: if the predicted conditions are likely to be too difficult, we can usually find calmer seas on the nearby north coast of the Cape. Cap de Creus offers us either protection or waves in almost all weather conditions, depending on what it is we are looking for. Therefore, there are rarely days here when we are stuck on land.

ACTIVITIES

This is what you may expect

Click on the pictures to learn more about the activities.

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Discover Europe's Most Beautiful Coastlines With Us

There are paddlers for whom sea kayaking primarily means making distance. Often these people paddle purposefully in a straight line past the most beautiful coasts – and overlook all the small and large things that there are to discover. So many beautiful things, so many incredible things, so many spontaneous adventures – if you take the time for them. That's exactly what we mean by "exploring the coast": taking advantage of every opportunity for experiences and fascinating discoveries. The lines between “touring” and “play” blur depending on what presents itself to us. Depending on the tide, swell, wind and weather, a coastline is always different.

We don't measure the success of a paddle-day in kilometers, but in the number of "Wows"! And believe us: there are a lot of them where we go sea kayaking with you.
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Surfing – of Course in a Sea Kayak

At Salty Cosmos we agree: there is almost nothing more addictive than surfing with a sea kayak! No matter whether forward, backward or a reverse start with a turn (like Ella in the picture above), steep pirouettes, spectacular "bongo slides" and fast rolls in the breaking wave – surfing a sea kayak is an absolutely fantastic thing. It is not only extremely fun, but it sharpens your boat control and technique like nothing else. Being able to paddle in the surf zone also means a huge increase in safety: Here you will quickly find out whether you can really intuitively edge and brace, whether your roll works effectively without a setup and whether you understand what your kayak is doing in such a dynamic environment.

You alone decide what conditions are right for you when going sea kayak surfing. It's not about who surfs the biggest waves. It's not (just) about adrenaline rushes or about who can pull off the most spectacular stunts, but simply about having maximum fun and learning while playing. And yes: capsizing is part of it and is neither dangerous nor something to feel ashamed of.
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Dynamic Water: Widen Your Comfort Zone

Paddling in dynamic water – whether generated by wind, tide or swell – provides variety and excitement. And it makes you a better paddler.

It is part of our course structure to accompany you step by step from the calm lake to increasingly challenging conditions. What is “challenging” on this journey and what is specifically understood as “dynamic water” – that is highly subjective and is ultimately determined by you, your skills and, above all, your comfort zone, which we will try to carefully expand together. That's why we work with you to find conditions that challenge you without overwhelming you or generating bad experiences. Because we want you to have new experiences, become a safer paddler and walk away from the water with a good feeling and a big grin after each day with us.
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Rockhopping: Big Fun, Also in Smaller Waves

Next to surfing, rock hopping is certainly the most playful activity in the vast cosmos of sea kayaking. Paddling with the waves at exactly the right moment over a washed-over granite rock, through narrow passages and into bubbling rock features – always in the rhythm of the waves – that's rock hopping. It takes timing, skill, good observation skills, confident control strokes and a bit of boat control, which fortunately grows with each session.

Rock hopping is an activity that quickly becomes addictive and is a lot of fun. There is no need for big waves. On the contrary: the best rock hopping sessions take place in generally rather calm conditions. Even small waves can create turbulence, suction and very dynamic conditions between the rocks. You have to accept scratches and dents in your kayak before involving in this activity, otherwise it definitely won't be fun. Even a small hole in the boat can happen from time to time, which is why we always have repair materials with us. And to ensure that no injuries occur, we always exercise caution. A good rule for rock hopping is: never play where you don't want to swim.
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Caves: Discover Fascinating Worlds

In addition to paddling in rock gardens and under cliffs, caves are the highlights of excursions along many Atlantic or Mediterranean coasts. It is absolutely fascinating to marvel at what nature has created there over millions of years. It goes without saying that we too always venture into the belly of the coast to discover other worlds there. Our sea kayaks are particularly suitable for this purpose like no other type of boat.

The cliffs of Cantabria and Asturias in the north of Spain or the north coast of Jersey each have a particularly large number of spectacular caves. These include narrow and long caves that can only be explored on very quiet days, but also huge cathedrals, some of which consist of several connected rooms or have different entrances and exits. Some caves on the Asturian coast even have small openings to the sky where light shines in on sunny days. On stormy days, the so-called "bufones" develop here: the water pressed into the cave by the huge waves then shoots out of the openings in high fountains. An impressive example of the fact that it is better to only paddle into caves on calm days…
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Tideraces: Play Spots in the Rhythm of the Tides

Tidal races are very similar to rapids found in a river. With two fundamental differences: The water is salty and every six hours it stops and changes direction of flow – slowly at first, then faster and faster until it reaches its maximum speed again after three hours, at mid-tide.

It goes without saying that such rapids are the icing on the cake for many advanced paddlers, which is why places like Jersey, where there are a particularly large number of great tide races, enjoy a special reputation. The island is essentially a rock in the huge river of the English Channel, through which gigantic amounts of water are sucked back and forth twice daily, in the eternal rhythm dictated by the moon.

We also love playing in the current: paddling in and out of eddies, traversing or surfing standing waves. The dynamics and power of flowing water are fascinating, especially when you consider that they are not caused by a gradient, but solely by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun and are absolutely predictable: When planning a camp months in advance, with one look into the tide table we know on which day and at which hour the current in our favorite tide races will be optimal for playing and learning.
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Navigation: There is Simply no Way Around it

Sea kayaking is not just a sport, but a complex activity in nature. That's why you also need knowledge of navigation, among other things. If you only paddle within sight of shores with a clear and easily recognisable shoreline, remembering where you parked your car is probably enough. Things get a lot more complex though in areas like the archipelagoes of Sweden or Finland, where you travel between hundreds of very similar-looking islands. If you don't know how to use a map and compass while paddling here, it won't take long for you to get hopelessly lost. Tours in areas with tidal currents are even worse: If here you are not fully on top of the matter and can calculate and paddle a course precisely, you'll probably not reach your destination but end up somewhere far out at sea. A very unpleasant situation at best…

Navigation is a fundamentally important and exciting topic that we take great pleasure in teaching in our courses. And it is absolutely part of safe sea kayaking.
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Fantastic Day Trips

Touring doesn't always mean that you have to paddle for several days with a lot of luggage: Exciting day trips let you enjoy the juicy bits of a coast and you're back at the base camp in the evening. And at the same time, a "day trip" doesn't always have to be synonymous with touring: Just as often as we undertake an excursion-style day trip, we go on paddle-strolls "just around the corner" to a particularly cool rock garden, a tide race or Surf beach and see what happens there. This way, without paddling many kilometers, we also make great, fulfilling and exciting days of sea kayaking.
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Offshore Paddling: Far Out at Sea

Admittedly, offshore paddling is not something we do particularly often at Salty Cosmos. Our coastlines are too beautiful and exciting to paddle past at a great distance. Nevertheless, it happens that also we paddle across open stretches of sea to islands or sometimes cross a large bay and leave the land far behind us.

But what exactly does “offshore” mean? This is not exactly defined. There are people who regularly paddle out ten nautical miles or even further just to reach a certain buoy and turn around there. We're definitely not that kind. For us it rarely happens that we travel further than four or five miles across an open bay or to an offshore island. Depending on what the goal is and whether there is a specific reason for immersing yourself in meditative paddling for so long. Speaking of which: Yes, if so, then it should be meditative! Because what you definitely don't want on an offshore trip is for it to be too "exciting". Strong winds and high waves far out at sea are factors that should really be avoided unless you are a very experienced paddler.
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What is this?
What is this?

Our Skill-o-meter is intended to give you a quick, rough guide to the approximate level of experience and paddling skills we require to take part in this programme.

It says NOTHING about what conditions we will encounter on site.

To find out exactly what skills we expect from you to take part in this programme, please be sure to read the specifications below ("What we expect from you").

Close
Close

This is what we expect from you

You can swim

Basics: Dealing with your spraydeck, get in and out of your kayak, wet-exit

Minimum two weeks experience on the sea

Experience in waves of 1 m and F4 winds

Launching and landing on a suitable beach in waves of ca. 0.5m

Some experience in currents (river or tides), eddy maneuvers

SAFETY PARAMETERS

This is what you can rely on

The sea does what it does. With our safety parameters we determine the maximum environmental conditions up to which we will go on the water* during this programme:
Wind
Offshore wind:
  • Up to 21 knots (wind force 5) in areas with predominantly steep banks that offer enough protection
  • Up to 15 knots (wind force 4) in areas with predominantly flat shorelines that offer insufficient protection

Onshore wind:
  • Up to 15 knots (wind force 4) in areas with predominantly steep, rocky shores
  • Up to 21 knots (wind force 5) in areas with flat, sandy shores with easy landing options
Waves
  • Swell of up to 1m and maximum 15 sec. period in areas with predominantly rocky shores
  • Swell of up to 1.5m and a maximum of 15 sec. period in areas with predominantly sandy, flat shores that provide safe landing
The sea weather report or swell forecast serves as the basis for assessment. In the case of short, steep wind waves, cross seas, etc., the situation is assessed individually.
If it is not possible to find these (or easier) conditions in our paddling area, we will stay on land. Other safety parameters (extreme gusts, rapidly falling air pressure, thunderstorms, etc.) also apply.

* For more information on this topic, see our FAQs

EVERYTHING ELSE

This is what you need to organise by yourself

For all of our programs, arrival and departure as well as all transport and on-site accommodation are the responsibility of the participants. This means that you have to take care of these things yourself. Below you will find all the information you need:
Meeting point & arrival
GETTING THERE

Meeting point:
Camping Beuvelande
Rue de Beuvelande
Jersey
JE3 6EZ
Jersey
Website: https://www.campinginjersey.co.uk

Time:
For a quieter and relaxed start to this Sea Kayak Holidays week, we recommend arriving the day before (Saturday, May 17th). When exactly you arrive doesn't matter. Please prepare to be self-sufficient on the day of arrival and note that your Salty Cosmos team is also busy preparing and will not be available before the programme begins.

The programme starts on Sunday morning (May 18th) at 10:00.

Getting there:
To get to Jersey by car, you first have to drive through France to Saint-Malo, in the east of Brittany. There you take the ferry to Jersey, St. Helier.

The Beuvelande campsite is located quite remote, in the middle of the agricultural, green east of the island. To reach it you have to find your way through a tangle of tiny country lanes. Please note that some of the lanes are so narrow that it is difficult for very large motorhomes to get through. But if you stick to the larger roads as much as possible, it won't be a problem.

When making travel arrangements, please don't forget to ask the other participants whether they are looking for or offering a ride.

Traveling to Jersey by public transport is highly recommended. You can travel from Zurich or Basel to Paris by TGV in no time, where you have to change train stations. Then continue, again by TGV, via Rennes and to Saint-Malo. The whole thing is very uncomplicated, relatively quick, convenient and not even that expensive.

On Jersey itself, you can easily get to the campsite near the campsite by bus, to the bus stop “The Royal” in St. Martin. Please note, however, that you will probably need a place in a car for the rest of the week, so it makes sense to coordinate with the other participants. If there are not enough spaces in private cars, it makes sense to rent a small car cheaply.

Flying: There are direct connections to Jersey from Zurich or Munich. Otherwise you have to fly via London, which usually involves a longer connection. Please check whether the TGV would be a better choice in this case.
Accommodation
Our base camp for this holiday week will be on Campsite Beuvelande, in the rural east of Jersey.

If you don't want to stay at the campsite, you can of course also look for an alternative nearby (holiday apartment, AirBnB, hotel, etc.). However, it is important that you are able to get to the agreed meeting point on time, independently and without any problems.
Please remember that either way you are responsible for organising, booking and paying your accommodation.
Rations
In all Salty Cosmos programmes, food and drinks are generally the responsibility of the participants. Please consider whether you would like to cook for yourself or eat in a privately organised communal group.
Insurance
Accident insurance, travel health insurance, rescue and recovery insurance
In all Salty Cosmos programs, accident insurance, travel health insurance and rescue and recovery insurance are the responsibility of the participants. Please take care of these things early.

Cancellation cost insurance
Please take out cancellation insurance when you complete your booking. If you were to become sick ahead of the programme, it would be a pity if you were not only missing out, but also losing money.

More questions? See our FAQs

This is what Frédéric Flamant says

Jersey… I still remember well: when Silvy first told me about it, I was quite skeptical. I imagined it to be wet and gray, and I'm more of a southern type. But then I was taught better! Green all over, super relaxed, usually pleasantly warm and a palm tree in every garden… Brilliant!

Admittedly, the cappuccino here takes a bit of getting used to, as do the pheasants everywhere (strange, cocky fellows indeed!). But then again – a nice ale in the pub easily makes up for that. And all the beach cafés and snack bars along the coast are also very charming: a burger with a view over the pretty Rozel marina for lunch, followed by cream tea, that's really something special. Possibly, afterwards people may initially waddle back to their kayaks a little sluggishly, but as soon as they'll have paddled around the corner into the next tide race, this digestive heaviness will surely be quickly overcome!

Normal price
1440 CHF

Price including use of our gear

This price includes a kayak, paddle and all the gear you need for participating. You need to order this gear separately after booking, ahead the programme.

Arrival and departure, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants and are therefore not included in the price.

Reduced Price
1290 CHF

Price with your own material

Price if you participate with your own equipment. You are responsible for bringing your kayak and equipment and, if necessary, transporting them during the programme.

Arrival and departure, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants and are therefore not included in the price.

Make two weeks out of one and save a lot of money!

Book the Jersey Training Week and the Jersey Sea Kayak Holiday Week together for a special package price of only 2200 CHF (reduced price with your own material) or 2500 CHF (normal price with material from us).

BOOK NOW
BOOK NOW
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