Lihou Island inaccessible for a week

Saturday 15 October 2022

Lihou causeway will close from today until October 22 due to a period of neap tides meaning no attempt should be made to access the island.

Guernsey’s Coastguard says there will not be sufficient time to cross the causeway safely.

Neap tides come seven days after a spring tide when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other. The difference between high and low tides are at the lowest point during these periods. 

The Coastguard say no attempt should be made to cross regardless of the perceived conditions. 

The causeway will reopen from October 23 until October 30. 

Repeat incidents

The warning to not attempt to cross the causeway has come after a number of recent incidents.

A fishing vessel had to rescue two people who attempted to cross the Lihou causeway whilst the tide was rising at the start of September. 

They were part of a group of six individuals and were nearly swept out to sea by strong southwesterly tidal flows. 

They were transferred to the care of the RNLI shortly, and the remaining individuals were picked up from Lihou.

Another group with children inappropriately crossed the causeway whilst a spring tide was coming in less than a month later.

The Coastguard said it represented a “lucky escape” from a potentially “extremely dangerous” situation.

Full information on causeway opening and closing times can be found HERE.

Guernsey Coastguard can be called on 999 or via the direct line on 01481 720672.