Snorkel Portelet, launched in 2022, providing residents and tourists the opportunity to explore Jersey’s valuable marine environment. Created by Blue Marine Foundation, in partnership with the Societe Jersiaise, the snorkel trail is the first of a new network planned for the Island

Snorkel Portelet is made up of three components, the trail itself, an education programme and a citizen science portal. The self-guided trail showcases rocky reefs, kelp, sandy and a small seagrass bed. These habitats support a range of marine life with ballan and cuckoo wrasse, spider crabs and snakelocks anemones among the species for snorkelers to see. The trail sits within recently designated Portelet Bay No-Take-Zone (NTZ) – the first to be created in Jersey. The new designation means no fishing or other extractive activities can occur within the zone and it is an offence to remove any marine species with exceptions for scientific investigation.  

.  

Film credit: Matt Jarvis Media.

Location

Situated in the southwest corner of Jersey and nestled between stunning headlands, Portelet Bay is an oasis enjoying an element of isolation from the island. A winding pathway from the carpark consisting of 200 steps surrounded by densely vegetated cliffs, leads down to the picturesque, golden sand and clear water bay. A small islet located in the middle of the bay, Janvrin’s Tomb (or Île au Guerdain), is surrounded by water at high tide. At low tide, the islet becomes accessible via a soft sand bar. 

Snorkel Portelet explores four areas of interest beneath the surface, each named after resident anemones. 

• Snakelocks: Discover rich rocky reefs that support numerous snakelocks anemones, fucus seaweeds, sheltering wrasse and crabs. 
• Beadlet: Explore seagrass, gullies and caves that hide beadlet anemones, spider crabs and grey mullet.
• Dahlia: Boulders and overhangs are home to dahlia anemones, cervices and various types of wrasse.
• Strawberry: Marvel at rocky reefs, sandy bottoms and oarweed that provide habitats for strawberry anemones and a variety of gobies and blennies!

Credit: James Bowden Photography

Safe Snorkelling  

Please note: This is a self-guided snorkelling trail and participation is at your own risk.

Snorkelling can be a dangerous activity, so it’s a good idea to go with someone who knows what they’re doing. Always be sure that you feel completely comfortable in the conditions before proceeding. Snorkel Portelet is designed to be completed at mid- to low-tide, when the sand bar leading out to Île au Guerdain is above water. However, if you feel the current is too strong for your swimming abilities, save your snorkelling for another day! 

To help you take part in the snorkel trail safely and considerately, all visitors are urged to follow safe snorkelling practices:  

• Never snorkel alone. 
• Do not snorkel in rough weather. 
• If in doubt, don’t go out. 
• Only snorkel during the recommended tidal stage (mid- to low-tide when the sand bar is uncovered). 
• Never snorkel after consuming alcohol. 
• Be vigilant of moving vessels. 
• Use the correct equipment and make sure it is well-fitting and fully functional. A correctly fitting wetsuit and set of fins are essential to keep you warm and mobile. Safety kit such as personal floatation devices (buoyancy aids) are recommended under supervision.
• Dial 999 if in need of emergency services. 

Respect. Protect. Enjoy.

It is always important that when out exploring the marine environment, we’re not harming it, so consider these handy tips:  

• Don’t take anything natural – the stones and shells found here can be beautiful! They all perform their own role however in the coastal ecosystem, so it is important to leave them in place. 
• Look, don’t touch. If you spot some fascinating marine wildlife, that’s fantastic! Take a photo if you can, but be sure to observe from a distance to avoid damage or distress. 
• Take care with your feet and fins to ensure you don’t damage the marine wildlife. 
• Take three for the sea – our beautiful coastline is seeing an increase in the amount of litter showing up on our shores. Try to collect three pieces of litter and put them in the bin. If everyone does a little bit, it makes a huge difference!

Education programme

As part of the initiative across the summer of 2022 Blue Marine is working with Bouley Bay Dive Centre to deliver an educational outreach programme that will provide underwater experiences to more than 180 children. Targeted at primary schools the programme is offering six sessions that include classroom workshops, a pool session and guided snorkel tour at Portelet Bay.  Going beneath the surface to physically experience the marine world brings to life what most people will have only seen on a screen. Creating lasting memories of the natural world the programme hopes to foster a connection between Jersey’s younger generation and the seas around them. 

Credit: Matt Jarvis.

Citizen Science

Our seas are experiencing a loss of marine biodiversity, ocean warming, ocean acidification, larger storm events and changes in oceanographic processes. In response to the climate crisis, communities are stepping up to help monitor and mitigate these impacts. Citizen science allows a wider group of people to better understand the marine environment and contribute to the science helping us to understand these impacts. 

A Snorkel Portelet citizen science portal is in development by the Société Jersiaise Marine Biology section and Blue Marine. This portal will allow visitors to the bay to upload pictures of the marine life they see, and this in turn will help the partnership track changes in biodiversity in response to climate change.  

Credit: Matt Jarvis.

Share Your Underwater Experience

You can share your underwater Snorkel Portelet experience on social media using #SnorkelPortelet and you can tag all of the partners on social media.

Facebook 

• Blue Marine Foundation, Société Jersiaise Marine Biology Section, Bouley Bay Dive Centre, Visit Jersey 

Instagram 

• @bluemarinefoundation, @societejersiaise, @bouleybaydivecentre, @visitjerseyci