Le Jaonnet Bay — traditional naturist cove
St Martin, Guernsey, Channel Islands
A secluded sandy cove below Guernsey’s south-coast cliffs, with a longstanding unofficial naturist tradition. A walk from Icart Point leads to the bay’s staircase and final ladder, while low tide reveals a quiet pocket of sand between the rocks.
Nudity policy
Customary naturist use; unofficial
Condor Ferries and a local walking account document longstanding naturist use at Le Jaonnet. This is an unofficial, shared beach rather than a formally designated nude venue. Nude access is not guaranteed by Visit Guernsey’s current listing; be considerate of other visitors and follow any current notices.
A carved waymarker refers to naturism, but no official compulsory-nudity rule or clothing-optional designation was verified. Dress normally on the cliff path and steps. The cove’s naturist tradition does not extend to Icart Point or neighbouring bays.
Facilities
No facilities on site.
The nearest parking and public toilets are at Icart Point, above the coastal walk; they are not at the beach.
Access & visiting
The cove is reached from the public coastal path, without a beach admission ticket or accommodation booking. The final approach includes a long staircase and a ladder onto the rocks; there is no road access to the sand.
Age & supervision
No venue-specific minimum age or family admission policy is published. The beach is unstaffed and reached by steps and a ladder.
When to go
Best visited around low tide, when the sand is exposed. Summer offers a more comfortable beach visit; check the tide and local access notices before the descent.
Directions & Parking
Getting there
From St Martin, follow Route des Coutures towards La Barbarie Hotel, then turn onto Icart Road. Continue past Saints Bay Hotel to the public car park at Icart Point. For the beach, take the coast path to the right as you face the sea, heading west towards Petit Bôt rather than east towards Saints Bay.
Parking
Use Icart Point car park and start the walk from there. Visit Guernsey identifies public toilets at Icart Point. There is no parking or vehicle access down at Le Jaonnet; avoid following private tracks towards the cove.
Finding the naturist area
Follow the main cliff path west for about 10 minutes, roughly 800 metres. At the small wooden bridge and the carved Le Jaonnet Bay marker, take the signed branch down towards the sea. Visit Guernsey describes 218 steps followed by a ladder onto the beach rocks. The naturist use is associated with this small cove, with no separately marked nude section.
Where naturism applies
Le Jaonnet is the cove below the signed descent between Icart Point and Petit Bôt. The public coastal path, Icart headland and neighbouring beaches are outside this listing’s customary naturist area.
- Bring water, a picnic and footwear suitable for the coastal path, steps and rocks.
- The sand is covered at high tide and water can reach the foot of the ladder; plan the visit around the tide and leave time for the climb back.
Access guidance checked 2026-11-14. Follow current signs and any instructions from the venue or land manager.
Sources & last check
Location, facilities and nudity policy checked against these sources on . This is a desk check, not an on-site inspection.
- Visit Guernsey — official beach location, Icart parking, toilets and stepped access
- Condor Ferries — Le Jaonnet’s informal naturist use and Icart approach
- Highlands2Hammocks — firsthand route, carved waymarker, bridge and tides
- Guernsey Press — distinction between customary use and official naturist designation
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