• “There's a real spirit of adventure about a trip to Houmet Paradis, always tide and weather dependent.”

    National Trust of Guernsey

    Houmet Paradis Islet
  • “An island of granite outcrops and shingle beaches, Houmet Paradis forms part of a group of islands known as Les Houmets. ”

    National Trust of Guernsey

    Houmet Paradis Islet
  • “Houmet Paradis has a fascinating past with connections to Victor Hugo, the Occupation, quarrying and more.”

    National Trust of Guernsey

    Houmet Paradis Islet

Houmet Paradis Islet

This tiny north-eastern islet takes its name from the word 'paradise' and has fascinating connections to Victor Hugo, the German Occupation, the island's quarrying industry and much more. Houmet Paradis' widest claim to fame belongs to Victor Hugo's novel 'The Toilers of the Sea' where hero Gilliatt commits suicide by drowning.

James Watson of Newcastle upon Tyne purchased the island in 1951 for £500. In 2004, Houmet Paradis was sold by his descendants, to an anonymous group of Guernsey islanders, with the objective of maintaining the island as a nature reserve, to be managed by the National Trust of Guernsey.

Houmet Paradis forms part of the Trust's Geocache Map, with a well-planned and adventurous cache, deactivated for the April to July nesting season each year.

Information

This tiny north-eastern islet takes its name from the word 'paradise' and has fascinating connections to Victor Hugo, the German Occupation, the island's quarrying industry and much more.
Caution: owing to strong tides between Houmet Paradis and Guernsey, visits are advised only on low spring tides.
Please keep a very careful eye on the tides and always check tide times before visiting.
Check Tide Times HERE
Children must be supervised at all times.
Since it is a bird-nesting area, visitors are requested not to visit between 1 May and 31 July. Waterproof footwear is advised.

Details

Parking: Nearby public car park

Kiosk: No

Facilities: None

Terrain: Uneven and slippery at low tide

Distance: Half a mile from shore to shore and back

Geocaching: Yes

How to find us

Perry's guide: 7H2 | GPS 49.49535, -2.49893

Bus routes: 91 or 92

“Houmet Paradis is a pleasure to visit for those with a great appreciate of flora, fauna and bird life.”