Once a working harbour, Jersey’s waterfront has transformed into a polished maritime playground that rivals the Mediterranean. The seafront promenades, Elizabeth Marina and Jardins de la Mer have been reshaped by developments such as the Radisson Blu Hotel, Castle Quay apartments and the International Finance Centre, giving St Helier’s skyline a cosmopolitan sheen. Today, the marinas host more than 1,000 berths across three award-winning, five-gold-anchor sites, drawing yacht owners and visitors alike to a scene of polished decks and sundowners on the terrace. Jersey’s vast tidal range, among the largest in the world, dictates life at sea, with marina gates opening for roughly six hours each cycle, demanding precision from even the most seasoned skipper.
A £3.5 million upgrade to Albert Pier and St Helier Marina, completed in time for the 2022 Barclays Jersey Boat Show, introduced new pontoons and 24-hour-access berthing, the first since the marina opened in 1981. Elizabeth Marina now caters for long-stay visitors by prior arrangement, while La Collette offers around-the-clock access for local craft. Looking ahead, Ports of Jersey’s Harbour Master Plan promises a new era for the island’s maritime gateway, with work due to begin in 2025 on redeveloping Elizabeth Harbour and New North Quay, relocating freight, creating a modern passenger terminal and opening the waterfront to homes, restaurants and public spaces. With gleaming hulls, chic apartments and a lively café scene, St Helier’s harbour has become the beating heart of island life, proof that Jersey’s tides bring not just change, but opportunity.
