St Catherine's Breakwater
St Catherine's Breakwater, La Route de St. Catherine, St Martin, Jersey, JE3 6DD, Channel Islands.
Rating: 4.7 ★ (118 ratings)
Details
St Catherine's Breakwater, also known as Verclut Breakwater, is located on the northeast coast of Jersey and forms the northern arm of a harbour that was originally planned as a naval station. Construction began in 1847 during a period of tension between Britain and France, but was halted in 1855 after only about 640 metres of the planned 1200 metres were completed, as the two countries had become allies. The southern breakwater from Archirondel was never substantially started.
Today, the breakwater is a popular spot for walkers, anglers, and for sheltering leisure craft. It is considered one of Jersey's significant architectural and engineering features and is part of the island's network of historic fortifications. The area offers breathtaking views and is home to St. Catherine's Sailing Club and the Jersey Canoe Club. A lighthouse was installed at the end of the breakwater in 1856 and was replaced in 1950; the original lighthouse now stands in front of the Jersey Maritime Museum.
Location
Opening Hours
Open all year round.
Contact
General inquiries regarding the harbour can be directed to Jersey Harbours: +44 (0) 1534 447788, [email protected]. For The Breakwater Cafe: +44 (0) 1534 851141. For The Shed cafe: +44 (0) 7829 772222, [email protected].
Comments
The harbour was designed during the period of Anglo-French rivalry during the 1840s, and work began on the North breakwater in 1847. It was finished in 1855, by which time Britain and France were fighting as allies against the Russians, and the planned Southern breakwater was never completed.
The breakwater provides shelter from south-westerly to north winds. The bottom of the harbour is mud and sand, and there is a landing slip at the base of the breakwater.
What a beautiful place and point on the northeast of the island. You have a great view and in good weather you can see the Normandy coast in the distance. The weather was excellent and a very nice wind. What an awesome experience.
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