St Catherine's Breakwater

La Route de St. Catherine, St Martin, Jersey, JE3 6DD, Channel Islands.

Rating: 4.3 ★ (593 ratings)

Details

St Catherine's Breakwater, also known as Verclut Breakwater, is a 700m-long structure located in St Catherine's Bay on the northeast coast of Jersey. Construction began in 1847 as the northern arm of a planned large naval harbour for the Royal Navy, a project initiated due to tensions between Britain and France. However, by the time the northern breakwater was completed in 1855 (or 1856, sources vary), Britain and France had become allies, and the southern breakwater from Archirondel was never finished, leaving only a small pier.

Today, St Catherine's Breakwater is a popular spot for anglers, walkers, and those seeking quiet anchorage for leisure craft. It offers shelter from south-westerly to north winds and provides views of France on a clear day. The area is also home to St. Catherine's Sailing Club and the Jersey Canoe Club. A lighthouse was installed at the end of the breakwater in 1856, which was later replaced in 1950; the original lighthouse now stands in front of the Jersey Maritime Museum in St Helier. The breakwater is considered one of Jersey's greatest architectural and engineering achievements and is a Grade 1 Listed Building.

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Location

Opening Hours

Open all year round.

Contact

Ports of Jersey (Harbourmaster): +44 (0)1534 447788, [email protected]. Island RIB Voyages (for boat trips departing from St Catherine's): +44 (0)7829 777 090, [email protected].