Ferry to Sark

Sark

Sark has no cars and no street lighting, but its history is anything but sleepy. Cornish miners came in the 1830s to dig for silver in the cliffs of Little Sark, and the ruins of the mines can still be seen at Port Gorey. In October 1942 a dozen British commandos landed in the dark below the Hog's Back, took a German prisoner and set off a chain of events that is believed to have contributed to Hitler's Commando Order; the raid is still remembered on the island. Today most visitors come for the walking. La Coupée, the narrow ridge joining Great and Little Sark, stands about 80 metres above the sea. Railings were fitted in 1900, and before then children are said to have crawled across on their hands and knees when the wind was strong. Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the main ways to get around.

The ferry port at Sark

Where the boat arrives: Sark has no airport, so the only way to reach the island is by sea. The boat from Guernsey arrives at Maseline Harbour.

Crossing: The crossing from St Peter Port is nine miles and takes about 35 minutes on the Corsaire de Sercq, or about 50 minutes on the Sark Venture or the Viking.

Season: The main season runs from April to October, but sailings continue through the winter for residents. Weather and tide can affect crossings, so allow some flexibility.

On the island: There are no cars on Sark. Visitors walk, cycle or use the island's tractors and horse-drawn carriages.