Guernsey overtakes Jersey as top Channel Island for UK Sea Travel

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 13:25

Guernsey’s market share of ferry passengers from the UK to the Channel Islands has exceeded 50% for the first time.

IRN Ferry, an independent travel research company, says 112,255 passengers travelled between Portsmouth and Poole to Guernsey from April to
October this year.

This is around 20,000 more passengers than Jersey saw from the same two ports.

It means Guernsey has a 55% share of the total Channel Islands’ market by sea from the UK.

Brittany Ferries' contract with the States of Guernsey came into effect in April, while Jersey began using DFDS in March 2025.

Company Chief Executive, Christophe Mathieu, says this is a great result for the Bailiwick.

“We have seen a fantastic first summer and a consistent growth over the full seven months, which is all the more remarkable when you consider the respective populations of both Islands.

"For the Bailiwick of Guernsey to have welcomed well over half of all UK visitors by sea to the Channel Islands is a credit to everyone involved.”

Brittany Ferries also reported strong growth on its France-Guernsey services.

The company transported 99,325 passengers from April to October 2025 to Saint Malo, which is around of 36,000 more than last year.

Visit Jersey data for sea passenger numbers to September suggests travel on the Jersey- Poole route was down 21% compared to 2024, while there was a 31% increase on the Jersey-Portsmouth route.

Overall, sea travel to Jersey was down 23% on last year.