'Surge' of visiting yachts in Guernsey

Guernsey is increasingly popular with French visitors, according to Guernsey Marinas

Visitor numbers have significantly increased this summer, marking one of the most successful seasons to date, Guernsey Marinas has said.

Yacht arrivals in the second quarter of the year rose by 22% compared with the same period in 2024, continuing a trend of year-on-year growth and are on course to surpass the 20,000 people who arrived by private vessel last year.

The increase follows a rebranding and a £300,000 pontoon upgrade at Victoria Marina.

Kieran Higgs, head of leisure at Guernsey Marinas, credited the rise in visitors to targeted marketing, international boat show appearances, and participation in the Passeport Escales reciprocal mooring scheme.

"We are seeing a significant uplift in French visitors, and we think that Guernsey is an increasingly popular destination for French travellers, whether they are visiting by ferry or on their own boat," he said.