About Lihou Island
Lihou is a small island located just off Guernsey’s west coast. Visitors can journey to this serene spot via a causeway during low tide, available for approximately two weeks each month. The island has a fascinating and varied history and teems with diverse wildlife, evident both above and beneath the high water mark.
In 1995, the States of Guernsey acquired Lihou Island, ensuring that both locals and tourists could enjoy its charm. While the island is under the stewardship of Guernsey’s Environment Department, The Lihou Charitable Trust maintains the house and its encompassing area.
The house, primarily catering to youth and school groups, also welcomes adult gatherings. In a bid to support the youth, the Trust has instituted a ‘Robin Hood’ pricing structure, keeping charges minimal.
Lihou Island House
The Lihou Island House offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle of modern living. While it lacks modern distractions like television or music systems, it compensates with ever-changing views that vary with the tide, light, and weather.
The Lihou Island House is open for bookings by anyone. However, in light of past occurrences, we regretfully cannot cater to 18th and 21st birthday celebrations or stag parties.
Ecological Significance
Lihou Island is an important sanctuary for a diverse range of wildlife. As a testament to its ecological importance, Lihou Island and its surrounding waters have been designated as a RAMSAR site, recognized globally as a wetland of international importance. These sites play a crucial role in maintaining the global biological diversity, providing a home for a myriad of species, many of which are endangered or rare.
Lihou’s unique intertidal area serves as a feeding ground for several species of wading birds and seabirds. The wetlands provide an essential habitat for a diverse set of marine life, plants, and birds, making it a hotspot for both conservationists and nature enthusiasts. The shallow waters, seagrass beds, and rocky shores team with life, from tiny crustaceans to various species of fish. Additionally, the island’s location makes it a pivotal stopover for migrating birds, who rest and refuel during their migrations.
Island Access
Reaching the island involves crossing a causeway, an experience that is both beautiful and challenging. The causeway consists of varied materials like cobbles, shale, gravel, and large boulders. With frequent seaweed accumulation on the Lihou Island end, the causeway can be particularly tricky to navigate. Visitors with mobility challenges should consider these factors before deciding to cross. We regret that we cannot provide any vehicle assistance for island access.
