Seymour Tower

A walk out to Seymour Tower, around 2 miles (3km) offshore from Jersey’s southeast coast, at low tide. Jersey has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world (the island almost doubles in size at low tide), with the water racing out – and back in, a few hours later – at an alarming rate. The tide rises at speeds of up to 3 inches (~7.5cm) per minute; and large rocks attached to clumps of seaweed are dragged along the seabed by the rushing water, their tracks through the sand clearly visible at low tide.

Walking out to Seymour Tower from La Rocque harbour.

Oyster beds near La Rocque Point. Oysters have been an important part of the island’s economy for centuries, and there are over 25 hectares of oyster beds in this area.


Collecting shells

Exploring the seabed and massive inter-tidal reef near Seymour Tower at low tide. The ‘P’ was carved into the rock in the 18th century and refers to the Payne family, denoting their right to collect seaweed in this area.

Trail on the seabed where a rock, attached to a clump of seaweed, has been dragged along by the tide.

Trudie Trox of Jersey Walk Adventures explains culinary uses for different types of edible seaweed (pictured here, Sea lettuce, Ulva lactuca).

Seymour Tower, built in the late 18th century as part of the island’s defences against attacks by the French, rises from a rocky outcrop on the seabed and is completely surrounded by water (reaching depths of up to 40 feet or 12m) twice a day. It’s now possible to stay overnight in the tower, which has beds for up to eight people, including a mandatory guide.
More images of Jersey and the Seymour Tower walk here.
Photos © Rudolf Abraham. No unauthorized use.