• The Channel Islands are an archipelago in the English Channel off the Normandy coast of France.
• They are neither part of the European Union or the UK, however, they are part of the British Isles, with the British Sovereign as their Head of State.
• The Bailiwick of Jersey comprises the largest island, Jersey, and its islets, while the Bailiwick of Guernsey includes Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark. The Bailiwicks have their own parliaments and are proud of their autonomy, which was granted to them by King John in 1204. In many ways, the culture of the islands is closer to Normandy than the United Kingdom.
• Jersey’s population is just over 100,000 and Guernsey 60,000. The spoken language is English.
• The official currency is pound sterling. The bailwicks of Jersey and Guernsey produce their own notes and coins. For specifics see General Info.
• The time zone is the same as the UK. The Islands follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and change to British Summer Time along with the mainland.
• The Channel Islands has a temperate maritime climate with typically warm rather than hot summers and cool to cold winters. See more in the Weather section.
• Being the favourite offshore cruising area for British yachts as well as a traditional tax-free shopping destination for the French, the Channel Islands have made an effort to improve their yachting facilities. There are now several new marinas and facilities and the old ones have also been upgraded.
• There is a complete shelter in St Peter Port in Guernsey and St Helier in Jersey and many good anchorages in offshore winds on all the islands and the smaller ones, providing an interesting alternative to the busy main ports.
• As the Channel Islands are outside the VAT area, marinas in both Guernsey and Jersey are favourite wintering places for non-EU yachts as there are no restrictions on the length of time they are left there. There is, however, on Jersey only, a 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax), which does apply even to goods bought elsewhere and couriered into Jersey.
• For details of services for cruising boats see Yachting Essentials.

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